Shared on behalf of Gov. Greg Abbott, who signed House Bill 4—focusing on Pre-K education throughout Texas—at the Uphaus Early Childhood Center.

Gov. Greg Abbott today signed four bills implementing his emergency early education initiative. The governor hosted an event at Anita Uphaus Early Childhood Center, where he ceremonially signed House Bill 4 (Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Kingwood; Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels), which will implement high-quality education standards for Texas Pre-K students. Gov. Abbott was joined by students, teachers and several members of the legislature, including the bills’ authors and sponsors.

In addition to signing HB 4, Gov. Abbott signed SB 934, SB 935 and SB 972, which contain his additional early education proposals. The governor previously signed SB 925, also part of his early education initiative.**

“The time has come for the State of Texas to become number one in the nation for education,” Gov. Abbott said. “By signing these bills, we are providing our education system with the tools and resources necessary to build the strongest possible foundation for our early education programs and subsequently, Texas’ future.”

**SB 934 (Kolkhorst R-Brenham; Farney, R-Georgetown): Relating to providing training academies for public school teachers who provide mathematics instruction to students in kindergarten through grade three. 

SB 935 (Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; Deshotel, D-Beaumont): Relating to the establishment of a reading excellence team pilot program.

SB 972 (Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; Deshotel, D-Beaumont): Relating to training academies for public school teachers who provide reading comprehension instruction for students in grades four and five.

On May 21, 2015 Governor Abbott signed Senate Bill 925 (Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; Aycock, R- Killeen), which establishes literacy achievement academies to provide high-quality, face-to-face professional development to public school teachers who instruct students in kindergarten through third grade. Read his signing statement here.