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6 Document(s) [ Subject: ]

Committee: Senate Education
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Academically unacceptable schools | Charter schools | Dallas County Schools | Districts of innovation | Early childhood education | Education Agency, Texas | Educational accountability | Educational technology | Harris County Department of Education | High school graduation requirements | Internet | Middle school students | Middle schools | Scholarships | School boards | School choice | School counselors | School finance | School vouchers | Special education | Teacher retention | Teacher training | Teacher-student relationships | Technology education | Video cameras and recordings |
Library Call Number: L1836.84 Ed83
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View report [50 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. School Choice: Study school choice programs enacted in states across the nation, examining education savings account and tax credit scholarship programs in particular. Examine the implementation process used in other states and what impact these programs have had on student academics and state and local district budgets. Make recommendations on which choice plan could best serve Texas students.
2. Charter School Approval, Expansion, Revocation: Study the approval, expansion, and revocation of public charter schools in Texas, including the implementation of SB 2, 83rd R.S. and other legislation. In particular, examine the issues surrounding the disposition of state property when charters are revoked, non-renewed, or cease to operate. Make recommendations regarding policies to ensure an efficient and effective transfer and disposal of state property that preserves state interest while ensuring that certain investment capital and the bond market supporting charter construction remains robust. In addition, make recommendations if needed to clarify policies regarding expansion of existing high-quality charter schools in Texas. Additionally, examine facility funding for charter schools in other states and make recommendations on facility funding assistance for charter schools in Texas.
3. Teacher Preparation, Retention, Shortages: Study teacher shortage and retention issues in Texas and evaluate educator preparation programs to determine if these programs are preparing educators for the rigors of the 21st century classroom. In particular, examine the shortages of ELL, special education, and STEM educators across the state and identify the issues creating a shortage. Make recommendations to improve educator preparation throughout the state and increase certification rates. (Joint Charge with Senate Higher Education)
4. Efficiency/Productivity Review: Conduct a comprehensive performance review of all public schools in Texas, examining ways to improve efficiency, productivity, and student academic outcomes. Study performance-based funding mechanisms that allocate dollars based upon achievement versus attendance. Identify any state mandates which hinder student performance, district and campus innovation, and efficiency and productivity overall.
5. Broadband Access: Evaluate digital learning opportunities in classrooms and examine existing barriers to schools' ability to provide a digital learning environment. In particular, study the availability of affordable broadband access to Page 2 of 5 school districts across Texas. Examine different options for improving access to broadband service in all areas of the state, for districts and student homes. Make recommendations on a statewide plan for building the necessary infrastructure to provide a competitive, free-market environment in broadband service.
6. Teacher-Student Relationships/Student Safety: Study the recent rise of inappropriate teacher-student relationships, the impact of social media interaction between teachers and students, and examine the current efforts by the Texas Education Agency, schools, law enforcement, and the courts to investigate and prosecute any educator engaged in inappropriate relationships. Determine what recommendations, if any, are needed to improve student safety, including increasing agency staff, adjusting penalties, and strengthening efforts to sanction educators' certificates for misconduct. Study and address the issue of prevention through training and education of school employees.
7. County School Systems: Examine the structure and performance of the two remaining county-based school systems, Harris County Department of Education and Dallas County Schools. In particular, study the efficiency of these entities and determine whether those services are duplicative with education service centers or could be absorbed by education service centers.
8. School Board Governance, Low-Performing Schools: Examine current school board governance policies and practices and make recommendations that could improve the focus, attitudes, and outcomes of Texas school boards, districts, and students. Study existing board training requirements for public schools and make suggestions to educate school board trustees of policies that could achieve better student outcomes, particularly within the framework set for low-performing schools in House Bill 1842 (HB1842)(84R).
9. Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: 1) Legislation establishing state intervention procedures for public schools with academically unsuccessful ratings of at least two consecutive school years; and providing school districts the ability to be designated as a district of innovation; 2) Initiatives to build a high-quality pre-kindergarten grant program; 3) Legislation to raise standards of teacher preparation programs and establish a more consistent, high-quality accountability system; 4) Program to require the placement and use of video cameras in self-contained classrooms or other settings providing special education services to students; 5) Legislation to address training support for counselors, and advising courses for middle school students; and 6) Legislation to establish criteria for alternative measures of assessments to meet high school graduation requirements.
Committee: Senate 21st Century Colleges and Universities, Special
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Higher education in the 21st Century : moving every Texan forward : report of the Special Commission on 21st Century Colleges and Universities.
Subjects: College preparatory curriculum | College preparedness | Economic development | Educational accountability | Higher education | Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas | Job training programs | Recommended High School Program | Scholarships | Toward EXcellence, Access & Success Grant Program | University finance | University research |
Library Call Number: L1836.76 t918
Session: 76th R.S. (1999)
Online version: View report [40 pages  File size: 3,166 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. The Commission shall study issues related to institutions of higher education and their role in contributing to the human capital needed for the State of Texas to be a leader in the new economy of the 21st Century. These issues should include, but not be limited to: The accessibility and affordability of higher education with special attention to the long-term impact of the changing demographics of the state; The future workforce needs of the state and the role of higher education in addressing those needs; The appropriate role and mission of institutions in meeting state priorities; The effective use of technology in delivering education and training; The development and improvement of appropriate accountability measures and benchmarks to measure performance; The development of strategies to pursue and attain academic excellence; The role of higher education in investment in research and development and its link to economic growth; The use of funding mechanisms to reward performance and provide incentives to address state priorities; The formation of partnerships with business for training and re-training to address workforce demands; and The role of the Higher Education Coordinating Board in pursuing state priorities.
Supporting documents
Committee: Senate 21st Century Colleges and Universities, Special
Title: Beyond the barriers: issues and ideas on improving access
Library Catalog Title: Beyond the barriers : issues and ideas on improving access / prepared for the Special Committee on 21st Century Colleges and Universities [by] the George Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, Class of 2000.
Library Call Number: L1836.76 t918b
Session: 76th R.S. (1999)
Online version: View document [101 pages  File size: 484 kb]
Committee: Senate Funding Issues in Education, Interim
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the 76th Legislature.
Subjects: College preparatory curriculum | College preparedness | Educational technology | Foundation School Program | Higher Education Assistance Fund | Permanent School Fund | Permanent University Fund | Recommended High School Program | Scholarships | School finance | Student aid | Textbooks | University budgets | University enrollment | University finance | University graduates | University graduation rates |
Library Call Number: L1836.75 f962
Session: 75th R.S. (1997)
Online version: View report [55 pages  File size: 2,414 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the current status of student financial assistance and tuition exemption/waiver programs. Identify possible criteria to be considered by the Legislature in evaluating such proposals and to establish priorities for these programs in the future.
2. Review the appropriateness of current allotments, weights, and set-asides under the Foundation School Program to fund school districts.
3. Study the management, investment, and distribution of funds dedicated to public and higher education, including the Permanent School Fund, Available School Fund, Permanent University Fund, Available University Fund, and Higher Education Fund. The Committee should review the purpose of these funds and the ability of these funds to continue to meet the needs of the state.
4. Study the factors affecting undergraduate enrollment and graduation rates at public colleges and universities in Texas, and make recommendations for any necessary legislative action. The Committee should consider the costs of higher education and the availability of financial assistance to students; collaborative efforts between higher education and public education systems; and student recruitment and retention efforts. The Committee should also consider methods to effectively measure institutions' performance in meeting enrollment and graduation goals set by the Legislature.
5. Evaluate and, if needed, make recommendations to determine need and allocation of funds for higher education budget special items, medical schools and Texas A&M Service agencies.
6. Study the costs of textbooks for public schools and, if necessary, make recommendations to improve the purchasing process to ensure that Texas schools are receiving the best price possible. In its work, the Committee should examine the use of computers and other technological resources as alternative teaching aids to textbooks and consider whether these alternative resources are more economical and efficient in enhancing the learning capacities of children
Committee: House Higher Education
Title: Interim report
Library Catalog Title: Committee on Higher Education, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1992 : a report to the House of Representatives, 73rd Legislature.
Subjects: Grants | Higher education | Higher education affordability | Medical education | Nursing shortages | Physicians | Scholarships | Student aid | Student loans | Texas State Technical College | Tuition | University finance |
Library Call Number: L1836.72 ed84h
Session: 72nd R.S. (1991)
Online version: View report [34 pages  File size: 892 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor and oversee legislation enacted during the 72nd Regular and Special Called Sessions that was considered by the Higher Education Committee; Performance Audit Review Recommendations; and any agency-initiated changes.
2. Carry out budget and oversight responsibilities for all agencies, boards, and commissions listed in Rule 3, Section 15. A. Monitor and oversee documenation of salary increases. B. Verify the number and status of outcomes and outputs as identified in the Appropriations Bill (HB 1, 72nd Legislature, 1st Called Session). C. Review agencies' existing performance standards and determine whether new standards are needed.
3. Study the levels of tuition and fees at institutions of higher education across the state and the causes and effects of their increase in recent years. Monitor and coordinate with the Joint Committee on Higher Education as it pertains to this subject.
4. Study the increasing need for student financial aid in the forms of grants and loans.
5. Identify the role, mission, and benefits of Texas State Technical College (TSTC) including its role of meeting the educational needs of the area it serves, future funding, and conflicts with junior colleges.
6. Monitor and coordinate with the Joint Committee on Higher Education as it relates to formula funding and deferred maintenance at institutions of higher education.
7. Study the enrollment at professional schools to determine supply, as it relates to the demand for all appropriate professions.
Committee: House State Scholarship Programs
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Improving access to higher education : a report to the 64th Legislature / by the Committee on State Scholarship Programs.
Subjects: Scholarships | Student aid |
Library Call Number: L1836.63 sc65
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View report [73 pages  File size: 2,911 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Study and investigate the use to which the scholarship funds provided for by Section 54.01(m) of the Texas Education Code have been committed; the committee shall investigate the collection and administration of the scholarship funds and the methods used to determine which students qualify for the scholarships, and shall suggest criteria to determine need.

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