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6 Document(s) [ Subject: Teacher%20certification ]

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: Senate Committee on Education report to the 79th Legislature.
Subjects: ACT test | Advanced Placement programs | Child care | Corporate sponsorships | Early childhood education | Educational accountability | Educational test preparation | No Child Left Behind Act | Scholastic Assessment Test | School dropout statistics | School dropouts | School ratings | Teacher certification | Teacher incentive plans | Teacher quality | Teacher salaries | Teacher shortages | Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills | Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills | Textbooks |
Library Call Number: L1836.78 Ed83
Session: 78th R.S. (2003)
Online version: View report [69 pages  File size: 1,172 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the implementation of SB 186, 78th R.S., (relating to the computation of public school dropout and completion rates) and make recommendations for improvements to current statutes and programs. Explore opportunities for maximizing current resources and identifying additional state, federal, and privately-sponsored programs for at-risk students that offer innovative delivery of educational services that encourage students to finish school. Focus on mentoring programs, including, but not limited to Communities in Schools, and the use of technology to provide instruction.
2. Study the performance of high school students on TAKS, the new state assessment instrument. Make recommendations to improve any performance deficiencies that are identified by the review, including alternative school schedules, mentoring programs, technology-based applications, and other innovative solutions.
3. Study progress of implementation of SB 76 (relating to the provision of subsidized child-care services). Evaluate and make recommendations on opportunities for Texas to increase the educational component of the Head Start program. Examine and make recommendations relating to access to quality early education, including estimated costs, teacher availability, learning requirements, and access to services for students with special needs.
4. Evaluate opportunities and make recommendations on increasing the supply of qualified teachers and improving their working conditions. The evaluation and recommendations should focus on preparation, recruitment, certification, and retention of qualified teachers, while not restricting alternative certification. Conduct an assessment of the impact of teacher incentives, including mentoring programs and other creative options for retaining teachers, and develop recommendations for implementing incentive programs.
5. Study and make recommendations relating to the effectiveness of the current process of selecting, funding, and distributing textbooks. Identify areas where the current process can be made more cost efficient, including recommendations relating to innovative methods of providing instruction such as online distance learning, and the use of interactive software to address the specific challenges of remedial students and advanced readers. Identify costs and benefits of using technology to provide current and innovative instructional materials, including staffing and hardware requirements.
6. Study the TEA's implementation of the state's new accountability system and make recommendations to resolve any problems found. Examine the impact of the federal No Child Left Behind law on the state's accountability system and make recommendations for changes to state law to meet the federal legislation. Examine the ability of the current PEIMS database to meet future information needs and recommend changes, if necessary. Review and make recommendations on innovative alternatives for tracking student performance.
7. Study successful partnerships between school districts and the business community and make recommendations for maximizing the use of effective partnerships, improving the delivery of education services, and enhancing educational opportunities for Texas students, especially at-risk students.
Committee: House Public Education
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the 79th Legislature
Subjects: High school graduation rates | Lobbyists | Military families | School dropouts | School finance | School year | Special education | Teacher certification | Teachers | Textbooks | University Interscholastic League |
Library Call Number: L1836.78 Ed84h
Session: 78th R.S. (2003)
Online version: View report [61 pages  File size: 383 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Assess the textbook adoption and distribution system. Investigate alternative methods of delivering educational resources using technology.
2. Evaluate the extent to which public school tax dollars are used directly or indirectly to promote or oppose legislation.
3. Perform a comprehensive analysis of state law with respect to educator contracts and certification. Make recommendations for changes which would improve student performance.
4. Examine and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of statewide educational initiatives, including programs to reduce dropout and increase graduation rates.
5. Investigate and assess the mission and performance of University Interscholastic League and other quasi-educational organizations in terms of their role in improving student achievement.
6. Compare special education laws in Texas to other states and to federal standards. Make recommendations for reducing state and local administrative costs to increase resource allocation for direct services to students.
7. Examine the impact on students, schools and local economies from changes to the school start date.
8. Examine issues related to state aid to school districts for debt service, including issues related to the type of facilities that should be eligible for state support.
9. Study and monitor issues related to the educational needs of dependents of military service men and women, including records transfer and implementation of reciprocity agreements with other states.
Committee: Senate Education
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the 78th Legislature / Senate Committee on Education.
Subjects: Automatic admissions | Higher education | Public schools | Teacher certification | Teacher health insurance | University enrollment | University graduation rates |
Library Call Number: L1836.77 ed83
Session: 77th R.S. (2001)
Online version: View report [183 pages  File size: 1,591 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study accountability in public schools, including the performance and accountability of charter schools, alternative education programs, and juvenile justice alternative education programs.
2. Monitor the implementation of HB 3343, 77th R.S., relating to the operations and funding of certain group coverage programs for school and educational employees and their dependents.
3. Evaluate traditional and alternative certification programs and their effect on the recruitment and retention of teachers. The Committee shall look at the use and re-employment of retirees in public schools, the use and re-employment of retirees in teaching future educators in the state's colleges of education, pre- and post- graduation incentives to enter the teaching profession, and the impact of advanced professional development and certification programs on retaining experienced teachers in the classroom.
4. Study programs designed to increase the accessibility of higher education for Texas students. The Committee shall examine the effect of residency status laws and guidelines on enrollment in Texas colleges and universities, evaluate the impact of the top ten percent rule on enrollment of educationally disadvantaged students, assess strategies to increase recruitment and retention rates of educationally and economically disadvantages students, and monitor the implementation of HB 400, 77th R.S., relating to assisting prospective students in enrolling in institutions of higher education.
Committee: Senate Education
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the 77th Legislature / Senate Committee on Education.
Subjects: College preparedness | Early childhood education | Education | Higher education | Math education | School dropouts | School finance | Teacher certification | Teacher salaries | Teacher shortages | Teachers |
Library Call Number: L1836.76 ed83
Session: 76th R.S. (1999)
Online version: View report [92 pages  File size: 5,055 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the involvement of institutions of higher education in the state's public K-12 schools related to: (1) preparing students for college, and (2) creating greater access to college. The Committee shall identify successful practices and the necessary legislative role (if any) in expanding or enhancing such partnerships.
2. Study the issues of teacher shortages and teacher utilization, including: projected public school student enrollment growth; recruitment strategies and resources for the production of teachers by universities or other providers; university-based and other teacher preparation program production levels; the impact of alternative teacher certification programs; the sufficiency of preparation of beginning teachers, particularly as it relates to growth in at-risk student populations; the benefits of creating additional state-funded teacher stipend programs in the areas of math and science; and strategies for attraction and retention of teachers, including the impact of competitive salaries and benefits, performance pay, and master teacher and critical shortage area incentives.
3. Study issues related to the state's current method for reporting public school dropouts and the accuracy of the information provided by these methods. The Committee shall identify possible criteria to be considered by state and local agencies in ensuring the accuracy of such data.
4. Monitor the implementation of the following bills enacted during the 76h R.S.: SB 4, 76th R.S., relating to appropriations regarding public school finance, property tax relief, and public education; SB 103, 76th R.S., relating to state assessments of public school students; SB 104, 76th R.S., relating to keeping school campuses open after school hours for recreational purposes, latchkey programs, and tutoring; SB 875, 76th R.S., relating to the financial accountability of school districts; SB 955, 76th R.S., relating to pre-reading instruction for certain children; HB 2075, 76th R.S., relating to the public notice required to be provided by a school district before adopting a proposed budget and tax rate; and HB 2307, 76th R.S., relating to assistance to certain low-performing public school districts. Particular attention should be paid to SB 4, 76th R.S., with emphasis on evaluating the legislation's impact on changes in teacher compensation and benefits; the effect on fast growth school districts; the overall impact on school finance system equity; the effect of the instructional facilities allotment and Tier 3; the initial implementation of provisions related to ending the practice of social promotion; and the enhancement of pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and ninth grade programs.
Committee: House Higher Education
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: To the speaker and members of theTexas House of Representatives, 67th Legislature : report of the Committee on Higher Education of the House of Representatives.
Subjects: Higher education | Medical education | Student aid | Student loans | Teacher certification | Teacher quality | Teachers | University faculty |
Library Call Number: L1836.66 ed73
Session: 66th R.S. (1979)
Online version: View report [102 pages  File size: 2,689 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study present policies of granting tenure to faculty members at public institutions of higher education and determine the impact of these policies in recruitment and promotion of minority and/or young faculty, as well as on academic freedom.
2. Review the funding of medical education in Texas, comparing funding trends with other states.
3. Study teacher education as it relates to teacher certification and other related matters at public institutions of higher education in Texas.
4. Review the structure and operation of Higher Education Authorities including their actual and intended purposes and activities, along with a review of the State's statutory responsibility toward and control over existing authorities.

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