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4 Document(s) [ Subject: Teacher incentive plans ]

Committee:	House Public Education
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Academic performance | Charter schools | Dyslexia | Educational accountability | Hurricane Harvey | Learning disabilities | Natural disasters | Public schools | School finance | Special education | Student Success Initiative | Teacher incentive plans | Teacher retention | Teacher salaries | Teacher shortages | Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills |
Library Call Number:	L1836.85 Ed84h
Session:	85th R.S. (2017)
Online version:	View report [90 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Determine, to the extent possible, the scope of financial losses, including facilities, that resulted from Harvey. Recommend possible state actions, such as changes to student counts or property valuation, to mitigate any negative impact on districts and ensure governance structures and parameters allow for effective responses.
2.	Recommend any measures needed at the state level to prevent unintended punitive consequences to both students and districts in the state accountability system as a result of Harvey and its aftermath.
3.	Examine the educational opportunities offered to students displaced by Harvey throughout the state and the process by which districts enroll and serve those students. Recommend any changes that could improve the process for students or help districts serving a disproportionate number of displaced students.
4.	Review current state mechanisms for identifying and rewarding educators through state-level strategies. Examine how providing additional funding to enhance compensation in districts facing a shortage of experienced, highly rated teachers would affect retention and teacher quality, in addition to whether it would encourage teachers to provide additional services through extracurricular activities, tutoring, and mentoring.
5.	Examine research-based options for evaluating student achievement beyond standardized test scores, including adaptive and portfolio assessments. Examine the scope of the current Texas essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in grades with the state assessment, including the format, assessment calendar, and the limits of instructional days, if any. Determine if it is appropriate to limit TEKS to readiness standards that can be taught in less than the school year. Review current Student Success Initiative testing and make recommendations on its continuation or repeal. Review the ability of the state to waive standardized testing for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
6.	Examine programs in public schools that have proven results meeting the needs of and improving student achievement for students with disabilities, with an emphasis on programs specializing in autism, dysgraphia, and dyslexia. Recommend ways to support and scale innovative programs for these students, including providing supplemental services, or incentivizing public-private partnerships or inter district and charter school collaborations. Monitor the implementation and funding for the pilot programs authorized in H.B. 21 (85R) and review the Texas Education Agency's compliance with S.B. 160 (85R), which prohibits special education student caps.
7.	Review the charter school system in Texas. Determine if changes are needed in the granting, renewal, or revocation of charter schools, including the timeline for expansions and notification of expansions to surrounding districts. Review the educational outcomes of students in charter schools compared to those in traditional schools, and to what extent schools participate in the alternative accountability system. Monitor the implementation of facilities funding for charter schools. Consider differences in state funding for charter schools compared to their surrounding districts and the impact on the state budget. Consider admissions policies for charters, including appropriate data collection to assess demand for additional charter enrollment, compliance with access by students with disabilities and the effect of exclusions of students with criminal or disciplinary histories. Consider differences in charter and district contributions to the Teacher Retirement System on behalf of their employees and make appropriate recommendations to support the retirement benefits of all public school teachers.
8.	Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee will also specifically include: H.B. 21 (85R), H.B. 22 (85R), and S.B. 179 (85R).
9.	Review the effectiveness of schools' current multi-hazard emergency operation plans. Determine any areas of deficiency and make recommendations to ensure student safety. Research violence prevention strategies, such as threat assessment, that are available for school personnel to identify students who might pose a threat to themselves or others. Identify resources and training available to schools to help them develop intervention plans that address the underlying problems that caused the threatening behavior.
10.	Examine current school facilities and grounds. Consider any research-based 'best practices' when designing a school to provide a more secure environment. Review the effectiveness of installing metal detectors, cameras, safety locks, streaming video of school security cameras, and other measures designed to improve school safety.
11.	Consider testimony provided at the May 17 House Public Health Committee hearing regarding improving mental health services for children. Identify specific strategies that would enhance overall school safety. Study ways to help parents, youth and primary care providers support school personnel in their efforts to identify and intervene early when mental health problems arise. In addition to school-based trauma-informed programs and those that treat early psychosis, consider the benefits of universal screening tools and expanding the Child Psychiatry Access Program (CPAP). Make recommendations to enhance collaboration among the Health and Human Services Commission, the Texas Education Agency, local mental health authorities, and education service centers.
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 80th Legislature
Subjects:	College preparedness | Disciplinary alternative education programs | Education, Texas State Board of | Educational accountability | Permanent School Fund | School choice | School discipline | Teacher incentive plans | Teacher salaries | Zero tolerance policies |
Library Call Number:	L1836.79 Ed83
Session:	79th R.S. (2005)
Online version:	View report [40 pages  File size: 4,633 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Review and make recommendations on any improvements necessary for the state's accountability system, especially as it relates to closing and measuring achievement gaps. The committee should study the feasibility of establishing statutory minimum or baseline performance standards for state education policies. Such a review should include a thorough study of the current assessment structure and make any recommendations about moving to other formats such as end of course testing. The committee shall also make recommendations on how to incorporate alternative delivery methods when assessing student performance.
2.	Study and make recommendations on educational reforms necessary to focus high schools and student performance on post-secondary readiness and success.
3.	Review the operation of the State Board of Education, including its oversight of the Permanent School Fund, and make recommendations, if necessary, for appropriate legislative oversight and review.
4.	Study the impact of pay-for-performance and differentiated pay scales on teacher recruitment and retention. Examine alternative approaches to improving teacher retention. Study value-added assessment/individual student growth measures as a factor in determining compensation for teacher effectiveness. Examine programs in other states that expand the range of teacher salaries and provide incentives for effective teachers to remain in the classroom. Make recommendations for changing teacher salary structures.
5.	Review and make recommendations, if necessary, that streamline and clarify Chapter 37 of the Education Code dealing with student discipline. Include a study of state accountability measures for disciplinary alternative education programs to evaluate academic performance and effectiveness in modifying behavior. Include a study of the effects of zero tolerance practices and other changes made by the 79th Legislature. Include a review of after school prevention programs.
6.	Evaluate the impact of successful school choice programs on students, parents, and teachers
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.

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