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3 Document(s) [ Subject: Limited English speakers ]

Committee:	Senate Education
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Report to the 82nd Legislature / Senate Committee on Education.
Subjects:	Academic promotion and retention \| At-risk youth \| Charter schools \| Children with disabilities \| Dual credit high school programs \| Dual language programs \| Educational accountability \| Educational technology \| English as second language \| English immersion instruction \| Limited English speakers \| Middle school students \| Middle schools \| School dropout statistics \| School dropouts \| School finance \| Special education \| State mandates \| Teacher certification \| Teacher incentive plans \| Teacher quality \| Teacher retention \| Teacher salaries \| Teacher shortages \| Teacher training \| Teachers \| Textbooks \| Virtual schools \|
Library Call Number:	L1836.81 Ed83
Session:	81st R.S. (2009)
Online version:	View report [64 pages File size: 1,615 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Review the performance and accountability of the state's charter schools. Specifically, study the following: Options for increasing the number of outstanding charter schools; Best practices employed by high performing charter schools and make recommendations for ways to implement these strategies in other charter and public schools; Feasibility of operating charter schools focused on providing high quality education for students with disabilities, such as autism; Charter school initiatives in other states, specifically including incentives for public education campuses to become charter schools; Options for development and funding of a charter schools facilities program.
2.	Review the state's education policy and initiatives regarding middle grades. Make recommendations to ensure a comprehensive state strategy for preparing students at the middle grades for high school retention and success. This review should include an examination of school-based strategies and best practices that encourage at-risk youth to finish school and that deter delinquency, drug abuse and violence.
3.	Review teacher compensation, evaluations, professional development, certification and training programs. Specifically, review the following: Teacher compensation including the Minimum Salary Schedule, incentive pay, merit pay, and stipends; How teacher evaluations can be effective mechanisms for increasing student achievement and improving instructional practices by including multiple measures, particularly student achievement data based on growth. Evaluate how teacher evaluations can direct district decisions on providing professional development, mentoring, intervention, and possible dismissal in response to underperforming teachers; State sponsored professional development initiatives including the alignment of professional development with curriculum and real work experiences and the value of professional development for bilingual, ESL and special education teachers in increasing student achievement. Need to adopt statewide standards for teacher certification and in-service training programs for regular and special education teachers at both the pre-service and inservice levels to ensure all teachers are highly qualified to teach students with disabilities.
4.	Examine cost drivers in education including state requirements that impact school district budgets. Recommend opportunities for achieving cost efficiencies.
5.	Study the efficacy of immersion versus dual-language instruction of English as a second language students. Make recommendations for improving programs and instituting best practices.
6.	Study the effectiveness of Texas school districts' special education programs. Review the range of needs of special education students, districts' ability to provide an appropriate education for these students, and assess the effectiveness of programs currently funded for special education. Make recommendations for improvement.
7.	Review dual credit courses including the cost of delivery, funding mechanisms, and possibility of a statewide dual credit system. This review should also include an examination of the rigor, quality and consistency of dual credit courses. (Joint charge with Senate Higher Education Committee)
8.	Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education, 81st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Review the implementation of legislation related to the state's accountability system including the revised dropout rate calculation, textbooks, and the virtual school network. Specifically, monitor the following: HB 3, relating to public school accountability; HB 2488, relating to open-source textbooks, and HB 4294, relating to textbooks and the use of technology; HB 3646, relating to public school finance and programs; and SB 174, relating to an accountability system for educator preparation programs.
Committee:	Senate Education
Title:	Interim Report
Library Catalog Title:	Report to the 81st Legislature
Subjects:	Adult education \| Autism \| Career and technical education \| Career preparedness \| College preparedness \| Educational accountability \| Limited English speakers \| Literacy \| Property taxes \| School dropouts \| School finance \| Special education \| Textbooks \| Workforce \|
Library Call Number:	L1836.80 Ed83
Session:	80th R.S. (2007)
Online version:	View report [37 pages File size: 660 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study the effectiveness of public school programs serving special education students, including autistic students. Specifically, consider whether special education services are adequately preparing students for post-secondary opportunities. The review should also include the availability and quality of the supports and services provided by adult services agencies for individuals with disabilities. Make recommendations for improving public school special education programs and the coordination of adult education services among state agencies.
2.	Conduct a comprehensive review of the public school accountability system and make recommendations for improvements. The review shall include indicators in the current system, measures of district and campus performance, public expectations, individual student achievement and measures of teacher, program and financial effectiveness.
3.	Review and make recommendations to improve the state's Adult Basic Education program. Emphasis should be placed on ways to advance literacy in Texas in order to promote economic and individual development. The review should also include a study of the coordination of adult education services among state agencies and the availability and accessibility of state and federal funding.
4.	Review and make recommendations regarding best practices for programs targeted to improve the academic success of limited English-proficient students.
5.	Review the access and quality of career and technical education programs in the state and make recommendations to improve these programs to address the economic and workforce needs of this state.
6.	Make recommendations for controlling the costs of textbooks from kindergarten through higher education, and monitor the implementation of HB 188, 80th R.S., relating to instructional materials.
7.	Review current property tax rates at school districts. Explore what mechanisms may exist to prevent any future constitutional funding challenges. Review any funding issues that are particular to certain types of school districts, such as fast growth districts. (Joint charge with Senate Finance Committee)
8.	Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Education Committee, 80th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the implementation of HB 2237, 80th R.S., relating to grants and programs for dropout prevention, high school success and college and workforce readiness in public schools. Include a review of the revised methodology the Texas Education Agency uses to calculate the dropout rate. Report on the implementation of education reforms in HB 1, 79th Legislature, 3rd Called Session. The review should include: the implementation of the high school allotment, the development of the best practices clearinghouse and the electronic student records system, the alignment of curriculum to attain college readiness, student improvement/growth models and access to college credit in high school. The committee should also study and make recommendations on how to continue strengthening the P-16 Initiative to promote college attendance in this state.
Committee:	Senate Education, Interim
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Report to the 76th Legislature.
Subjects:	Alternative schools \| Bilingual education \| Charter schools \| Drug rehabilitation programs \| Dyslexia \| Education Service Centers \| Educational technology \| English as second language \| Internet \| Juvenile justice alternative education programs \| Learning disabilities \| Limited English speakers \| School choice \| School safety \| Teachers \| Texas Academic Skills Program \|
Library Call Number:	L1836.75 ed83
Session:	75th R.S. (1997)
Online version:	View report [60 pages File size: 2,563 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Study issues related to the safety of students, teachers and visitors on public school campuses, and, if necessary, make recommendations for legislative action. The Committee should determine the amount and sources of funds spent on security efforts; consider the accountability of security officers and police officers on campuses; and review the reporting of security practices to appropriate education and law enforcement officials.
2.	Review the availability of drug and alcohol prevention and treatment services to students in public schools, and consider whether legislative action is necessary. The Committee should consider the services provided by schools, the amount and sources of available funds, and the existence and implementation of standards to determine the effectiveness of the services.
3.	Evaluate programs and services in public schools to assist students with dyslexia, hearing difficulties, or vision problems to determine whether any improvements are needed.
4.	Evaluate bilingual education efforts in public schools to determine the impact of such efforts.
5.	Monitor implementation of key legislation passed by the 75th Legislature during the 1997 regular session, including: SB 133, 75th R.S., relating to safe schools; HB 318, 75th R.S., relating to school choice and charter schools; SB 1158, 75th R.S., relating to use and funding of Education Service Centers; and SB 148, 75th R.S., relating to the applicability of the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP).
6.	Supplemental Charge: Evaluate whether the State should provide public school teachers with home access to computers and consider other means to promote computer literacy among public school teachers.

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