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13 Document(s) [ Subject: Teacher training ]

Committee: House Higher Education
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Financial investments | Foreign investments | Higher education | Higher education affordability | Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas | Hinson-Hazlewood College Student Loan Program | Investment of public funds | Job training programs | Permanent University Fund | Russia | School discipline | Student aid | Teacher retention | Teacher retirement | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Teacher shortages | Teacher training | University finance | Veterans | Workforce |
Library Call Number: L1836.88 Ed84hh
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [98 pages  File size: 10,030 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
  • SB 1102, 87th R.S. relating to the establishment of the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program to support workforce education; and
  • SB 1295, 87th R.S. relating to financial support and incentives for comprehensive regional universities.
2. Review progress toward the goals of the 60x30TX plan, including institutional strategies for responding to changing workforce needs and demands, including workforce education, industry certification, and degree programs to address healthcare shortages.
3. Examine factors that have contributed to the rising costs of higher education, including the effect of statutory tuition and fee waivers and exemptions, the cost of compliance with state and federal mandates, and the increase in the number of non-faculty staff. Make recommendations for controlling these costs and ensuring a sound fiscal approach to managing college affordability for the future.
4. Evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the state’s teacher workforce and current practices to improve the recruitment, preparation, and retention of high-quality educators. Explore the impact of the educator preparation program regulatory environment. Make recommendations to improve educator recruitment, retention, and preparation throughout the state. (Joint Charge with Committee on Public Education)
5. Review the impact of investments of endowment and other trust funds, including the Permanent University Fund, by university systems and institutions of higher education in businesses and funds owned or controlled by the Russian government or Russian nationals, and determine the need for investment restrictions. Consider the impact of any proposed investment restrictions on fund performance.
Committee: House Public Education
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Border education | Border issues | Career preparedness | Children's mental health | Coronavirus | Educational accountability | Educational tests | Federal funds | Parent-school relationships | Public schools | School finance | Sex education | Special education | State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness | Teacher retention | Teacher retirement | Teacher Retirement System of Texas | Teacher salaries | Teacher shortages | Teacher training | Undocumented immigrant students |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 Ed84h
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [118 pages  File size: 5,785 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Examine the impact, including any financial impact, to the Texas public school system of an increase in the number of children crossing the Texas-Mexico border. Review the history, any applicable precedents, and the legal landscape regarding the education of migrant children in Texas’s public schools.
2. Review the ongoing development of federal laws, rules, and regulations associated with the distribution of the federal pandemic recovery funds, including reporting requirements, and make recommendations to the House Committee on Appropriations for use of the funds to respond to the Texas-Mexico border crisis.
3. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
  • HB 1525, 87th R.S., and HB 3, 86th R.S., relating to public school finance and public education;
  • HB 4545, 87th R.S., relating to assessment of public school students and providing accelerated instruction;
  • SB 1365, 87th R.S., relating to public school organization, accountability, and fiscal management;
  • SB 1716, 87th R.S., relating to supplemental special education services and instructional materials for certain public school students; and
  • HB 3906, 86th R.S., relating to the assessment of public school students, including the development and administration of assessment instruments, and technology permitted for use by students.
4. Complete study of assigned charges related to the Texas-Mexico border issued in June 2021.
5. Identify and examine efforts to ensure that parents have a meaningful role in their children’s education. Recommend necessary changes in both independent school district board and open- enrollment charter governing board governance to protect the right of parents to participate in their child’s education.
6. Examine partnerships between K-12, higher education institutions, and employers that promote postsecondary and career readiness and identify current obstacles that public schools, higher education institutions, and employers face. Make recommendations to ensure career and technical education programs, internships, apprenticeships, and other opportunities are more accessible.
7. Evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the state’s teacher workforce, and current practices to improve the recruitment, preparation, and retention of high-quality educators. Explore the impact of the educator preparation program regulatory environment. Make recommendations to improve educator recruitment, retention, and preparation throughout the state. (Joint charge with Committee on Higher Education)
8. Study the effects of COVID-19 on K-12 learning loss and best practices that exist to address learning loss. Monitor the implementation of state and local plans to address students' achievement gaps. Make recommendations for supporting the state and local efforts to increase academic development.
9. Examine the impact of COVID-19 on students' mental health, including the availability and workload of mental health professionals across the state and their role in the public school system. Make recommendations to reduce or eliminate existing barriers to providing mental health services in a traditional classroom setting or through teletherapy.
10. Study the unfulfilled recommendations from the 2016 Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability. Evaluate the state’s progress on assessments and accountability and consider possible legislation to support the recommendations from the report. Study and recommend measures needed at the state level to prevent unintended consequences to students, campuses, and districts, including changes that could improve the system for students or help public schools serving a disproportionate number of educationally disadvantaged students impacted by the pandemic.
Committee: House Higher Education
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Dual credit high school programs | Higher education | Higher education affordability | Hurricane Harvey | Nontraditional students | Sex crimes | Sexual harassment | Teacher training |
Library Call Number: L1836.85 Ed84hh
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View report [23 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Determine, to the extent possible, the scope of financial losses to 2- and 4-year institutions, including facilities, that resulted from Hurricane Harvey. Recommend possible state actions to mitigate any negative impact on institutions and ensure governance structures and parameters allow for effective responses. Review the educational opportunities offered to students displaced by Harvey throughout the state. Recommend any changes that could improve the process and what additional services might be needed for these displaced students.
2. Determine the impact of any federal action pertaining to Title IX and the potential effects on current state laws and rules pertaining to sexual misconduct policies at institutions of higher education.
3. Examine the rapid growth of dual credit course offerings across the state, and evaluate whether dual credit is effectively reducing time-to-degree and improving affordability for students and the state. Evaluate institutions’ policies and processes for ensuring rigor and quality, and the adequacy of student advising regarding the potential applicability of dual credit courses to future academic program requirements. Review the current state funding methodology and costs of, and the share of state funding attributable to, dual credit programs.
4. Examine efforts of 2- and 4-year institutions to implement innovative and non-traditional models of education delivery to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student body and the demands of a rapidly changing workforce. Identify any obstacles to institutional innovation. Make recommendations to scale innovative educational models to better serve students and employers.
5. Review current data available to the public about Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) and make recommendations to ensure the data is transparent, user-friendly, and actionable. Review the current EPP accountability system and recommend any new indicators or changes, including evaluating the ability of programs to meet the workforce needs of school districts by preparing teachers for high-needs areas. Determine ways to measure the effectiveness of teachers prepared by individual programs. For traditional EPP programs, make recommendations on how to more fully involve boards of regents in an effort to elevate the importance of teacher preparation within our state institutions. Examine current joint partnerships between EPPs and public schools to meet regional workforce needs, and make recommendations on how to scale these partnerships. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Public Education S/C on Teacher Quality)
6. 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: S.B. 2118 (85R) and 60x30TX, the higher education strategic plan.
Supporting documents
Committee: House Higher Education
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, June 7, 2018 (Educator Preparation Programs)
Library Call Number:
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View document [67 pages  File size: 3,960 kb]
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 Higher Education
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Bachelor's degrees | Career preparedness | College preparatory curriculum | Community college finance | Community colleges | Curriculum | Dual credit high school programs | Early college high schools | English as second language | Higher education affordability | Medical education | Nursing education | Student aid | Student loans | Teacher quality | Teacher retention | Teacher shortages | Teacher training | Tuition | Tuition deregulation | University finance |
Library Call Number: L1836.84 Ed83h
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View report [93 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. HB 5 Implementation, 60x30TX/Higher Education Alignment: Monitor the ongoing implementation of HB 5, 83rd R.S., and examine current projections for preparation of Texas high school students for postsecondary education and workforce training. Examine best practices and recommend strategies to align the implementation with the 60x30TX higher education plan, including, but not limited to, dual credit, credit transferability, and fields of study. (Joint Charge with Senate Education)
2. Performance Funding for GAIs and Community Colleges: Study current funding methods for both general academic institutions and community colleges, examining current performance-based methods of funding for community colleges. Review funding methods used in other states and make recommendations on how to incorporate and/or change student outcome measures in institutional funding to benefit students and promote the education needs of a rapidly growing and changing workforce.
3. Tuition Deregulation and Student Debt: Examine and make recommendations regarding tuition and student debt at public institutions of higher education in Texas. Specifically, study how Texas compares to peer states, variance between institutions, how accountability measures can be used to impact tuition, and increases in tuition since 2003.
4. Tuition/Fee Waivers, Tuition Set-Asides, Financial Aid: Conduct a review of all tuition and fee waivers and exemptions, as well as tuition set-asides currently in law, and examine how students who do not receive the benefits of either bear these resulting costs. Study how other states treat similar populations, whether federal benefits are available, and make recommendations to ensure the efficacy of waivers and exemptions, and tuition set-asides. Examine current financial aid programs, studying their efficacy, and make recommendations on how to provide programs to meet the needs of all students in light of the recent repeal of the state's Top 10% Scholarship program and B-On-Time program.
5. General Academic Institution(GAI)/Health Related Institution(HRI) Funding: Conduct a comprehensive review of funding for GAIs and HRIs, examining whether the methodology for funding the same courses is equitable and productive. Make recommendations on how to update and streamline the current funding methods, to provide a consistent methodology that focuses on student success and innovative strategies. Include in the review a focus on tuition-revenue generating special items and formula and research funding for new medical schools.
6. Baccalaureate Degrees at Community Colleges: Study regional workforce needs in the state and make recommendations on whether metrics should be applied to authorize public community colleges to offer certain baccalaureate degrees in order to meet the regional workforce needs.
7. Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Higher Education and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: 1) Initiatives designed to create effective, clear transfer pathways for students, including the newly enacted multidisciplinary studies associate degree; 2) Implementation and progress of the Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program; and 3) The progress of the pilot program enacted by the 83rd legislature relating to improving student loan default rates and financial aid literacy among postsecondary students.
8. 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 Education)
Committee: Senate Higher Education
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Bachelor's degrees | College preparatory curriculum | College preparedness | Community colleges | Curriculum | Developmental education | Distance education | Dual credit high school programs | Early college high schools | Educational technology | Higher education | Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas | Immunizations | Teacher shortages | Teacher training | Texas Success Initiative | Toward EXcellence, Access & Success Grant Program | University curriculum |
Library Call Number: L1836.83 Ed83h
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View report [62 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Review and evaluate the success of Closing the Gaps by 2015, the strategic plan for higher education adopted in 2000. Coordinate with the Higher Education Coordinating Board on the next set of long term goals for higher education and monitor their progress.
2. Study and make recommendations regarding the impact of technology on higher education instruction, including online courses and massive open online courses (MOOCs), and their impact on higher education excellence, cost, and funding requirements.
3. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Higher Education, 83rd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following:
  • SB 414, relating to a study and report regarding authorizing certain public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs to address regional workforce needs;
  • SB 62, relating to the vaccination against bacterial meningitis of entering students at public and private or independent institutions of higher education;
  • SB 28 (2011), relating to eligibility for a TEXAS grant and to administration of the TEXAS grant program; and
  • HB 1244 (2011), relating to developmental education and the assessment of student readiness under the Texas Success Initiative and to students enrolled in developmental education at public institutions of higher education.
4. Examine and make recommendations regarding improvements in teacher preparation and certification programs to address any misalignment with school district shortages and problems with retaining new teachers.
5. Review and make recommendations regarding the use of dual credit coursework and other secondary school programs for college credit, including the academic rigor of such programs and predictive value for college success.
6. Examine and make recommendations regarding alignment between high school coursework and expectations in freshman level college coursework. Study the impact of particular coursework, specifically mathematics (including Algebra II) and science courses, as predictors of college readiness and success.
Committee: House Public Education
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Academic performance | Curriculum | Dallas County Schools | Educational accountability | Educational technology | Educational tests | Harris County | High school graduation requirements | School boards | School discipline | School superintendents | Teacher evaluations | Teacher quality | Teacher training | Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills | Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System | Truancy |
Library Call Number: L1836.83 Ed84h
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View report [48 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor the implementation of HB 5, 83rd R.S. and report on recommendations for improvement. Work with the Texas Education Agency, the State Board of Education, and public and higher education stakeholders to ensure the creation of additional rigorous mathematics and science courses needed to address the current and projected needs of the state's workforce.
2. Explore innovative, research-based options for improving student achievement beyond standardized test scores. Evaluate standards for effective campus management as well as teacher preparation, certification, and training. Review current teacher evaluation tools and instructional methods, such as project-based learning, and recommend any improvements that would promote improved student achievement. Engage stakeholders on how to recruit and retain more of our "best and brightest" into the teaching profession.
3. Solicit input from leading authorities on the traits and characteristics of good governance, effective checks and balances between the board and administration and the effective relationship between a board and the superintendent. Review current oversight authority by the Texas Education Agency over school board policies on governance. Make recommendations on trustee training, potential sanctions, and means of grievances, as well as recommendations on whether the role of trustee or superintendent needs to be more clearly defined.
4. Review successful strategies and methods that have improved student achievement at chronically underperforming schools. Identify alternatives that could be offered to current students who are attending these schools and determine how to turn these schools around. Identify the benefits and concerns with alternative governance of underperforming schools.
5. Review the broad scope and breadth of the current TEKS in the tested grades, including the format, testing calendar, and the limitation on instructional days available. Recommend options to streamline the assessment of TEKS and focus on core concepts. Review current federal testing requirements in grades 3-8 to determine if testing relief is possible.
6. Examine the role of the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) in serving school districts. Review the programs and services of HCDE, specifically the department’s ability to assist school districts to operate more efficiently. Report any costs or savings the HCDE provides districts and taxpayers. Make recommendations to improve the operation of the HCDE.
7. Study the impact of SB 393, 83rd R.S. and SB 1114, 83rd R.S.. Assess the impact of school discipline and school-based policing on referrals to the municipal, justice, and juvenile courts, and identify judicial policies or initiatives designed to reduce referrals without having a negative impact on school safety. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Corrections)
8. Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Committee: Senate Education
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Career preparedness | Charter schools | College preparedness | Distance education | Education Service Centers | School choice | School discipline | School districts | School principals | Teacher training | Virtual schools |
Library Call Number: L1836.82 Ed83
Session: 82nd R.S. (2011)
Online version: View report [22 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study public school management practices, including the use and options for shared services for both academics and operations. Examine the role of Regional Education Service Centers. Specifically, review the types of services being provided and their ability to assist school districts with improving efficiencies.
2. Study educator and principal preparation programs through colleges of education and alternative certification. Make recommendations to improve these programs. Examine strategies to improve recruitment of high-quality teachers. Examine alternative approaches to improving teacher retention. Study the benefits of comprehensive induction and mentoring programs.
3. Study the growing demand for virtual schools in Texas. Review the benefits of virtual schools, related successes in other states, and needed changes to remove barriers to virtual schools.
4. Study the impact of extended learning time on school success. Evaluate the different programs offered, best practices, school implementation, and incentives for building community partnerships that allow a variety of academic and career-related learning opportunities. Examine the effect of after-school programs on academic performance, school attendance, behavior, and promotion to the next grade level, and the relationship between the availability of after-school programs in an area and the high school dropout rate.
5. Study the performance and accountability of charter schools, best practices of high-performing charter schools, and barriers to replication. Review policies and practices for authorizing high-quality charters and closing poor-performing charters. Study the benefits of and costs related to increasing the number of charters, as well as establishing additional authorization boards to grant new charters
6. Study the impact of school choice programs in other states on students, parents, and teachers. Explore the use of education tax credits and taxpayer savings grants, and examine potential impacts on state funding.
7. Conduct a comprehensive review of school discipline practices. Specifically, review and make recommendations on:
  • The effectiveness of Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs (DAEP) and Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs (JJAEP) in reducing student involvement in further disciplinary infractions and in promoting positive educational achievement;
  • Disproportionate school discipline referrals, including suspension, expulsion, and Class C misdemeanor citations;
  • The issue of "Zero Tolerance" in secondary education school discipline, the use of alternative education campuses, and the barriers to graduation. Also include the role that specialized school police departments play in these systems. Consider the impact on the juvenile justice system and the adult prison system;
  • The number of students in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) referred to juvenile or municipal courts, suspended, expelled, and placed in Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs (DAEP). Examine data-sharing practices between DFPS, TEA, and local education agencies, and make recommendations to increase communication between schools and DFPS to increase educational outcomes for children in foster care;
  • Evidence based models used for addressing juvenile delinquency prevention that is targeted to non-adjudicated, but at-risk youth, in the school disciplinary system. (Joint Charge with Senate Committee on Criminal Justice)
8. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following:
  • SB 6, 82nd R.S., relating to the establishment of the instructional materials allotment;
  • SB 8, 82nd R.S., relating to the flexibility of the board of trustees of a school district in the management and operation of public schools;
  • HB 1942, 82nd R.S., relating to bullying in public schools;
  • The implementation of legislation related to the state's accountability system and other reforms enacted by HB 3, 81st R.S., and SB 1031, 80th R.S..
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: House Public Education
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Databases | Distance education | Early childhood education | Educational technology | Elementary education | Secondary education | Teacher quality | Teacher retention | Teacher training |
Library Call Number: L1836.80 Ed84h
Session: 80th R.S. (2007)
Online version: View report [47 pages  File size: 4,601 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study best practices in instructional technology, including online course delivery, professional development, and supplementary instruction and course support. Examine the costs and benefits of these applications versus traditional delivery models.
2. Review the functions of the agencies and boards under the committee's jurisdiction. Evaluate the capacities of these agencies and boards versus their appropriate roles in supporting instruction in public schools.
3. Evaluate early childhood education programs in public schools and study the impact of different instructional and funding models on students' school-readiness and schools' operational efficiency.
4. Research and evaluate state-supported policies and programs designed to attract, train, and support effective teachers and instructional leaders, including programs designed to recruit and retain teachers in hard-to-staff schools.
5. Monitor the implementation of legislation passed by the 79th and 80th Legislatures.
6. Study innovations in state educational data systems. Develop recommendations for a comprehensive state educational system that will ensure the best available information for educators and policymakers, include unique student records that may be transferred easily among authorized institutions, minimize duplicative or onerous reporting requirements, and meed federal privacy requirements in a manner consistent with the practices of leading states. Recommend statutory changes necessary to facilitate the implementation of the new data system and to eliminate unnecessary reporting requirements. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committee on Higher Education.)
7. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee: Senate Education Subcommittee on Higher Education
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report
Subjects: Automatic admissions | Distance education | Higher education affordability | Minority students | Student fees | Teacher quality | Teacher training | Tuition deregulation | University admissions | University finance |
Library Call Number: L1836.79 Ed83h
Session: 79th R.S. (2005)
Online version: View report [601 pages  File size: 65,535 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the impact and costs associated with distance learning on traditional higher education.
2. Study the cost of education at public institutions of higher education, specifically, tuition de-regulation and student fees. The committee should also review current tuition and fee exemptions and make recommendations for improving student access to education.
3. Study what impact any changes to the percentage requirement of the Top 10% Law could have on students currently in the educational pipeline, discuss developing a uniform transcript and a standard methodology for calculating GPAs, and make recommendations for relating to the application of the Top 10% Law, including to children of Texas residents in the military.
4. Monitor the progress of the Closing the Gaps goals and recommend any legislative action needed to ensure we stay on target to meet the goals by 2015.
5. Study the relationship of College of Education coursework on teacher effectiveness and student performance. Examine the State's role in the accountability of these teacher preparation programs in delivering the most effective instruction strategies recommended or validated by scientifically-based research, particularly in the area of reading. Examine past and current studies linking teacher preparedness with student performance and identify any barriers to conducting such research. Make recommendations for legislative changes to improve programs.
6. Monitor changes made during the 79th R.S., to adjust higher education funding formulas by adopting a cost-based formula matrix. Make recommendations for continuing improvements. Joint Charge with Senate Finance Committee.
Committee: Joint Central Investigating Committee
Title: Report
Library Catalog Title: Report
Subjects: Agriculture, Texas Department of | Attorney General of Texas | Bachelor's degrees | Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas | Courts | East Texas A&M University | Education Agency, Texas | General Land Office, Texas | Higher education | Highway Department, Texas State | Investment of public funds | Juvenile detention facilities | Legislative staff | Library & Archives Commission, Texas State | Office of the Governor | Prairie View A&M University | Prison farms | Prison labor | Prisons | Quarantines | Rabies | Railroad Commission of Texas | Sam Houston State University | Secretary of State, Texas | State agencies | State agency budgets | State land | State purchasing | Tarleton State University | Tax administration | Teacher training | Texas A&M University | Texas State University | Texas Woman's University | Treasury Department, Texas State | University of North Texas at Denton | University of Texas at Austin | University of Texas at El Paso | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston | Veterinary Medical Examiners, Texas State Board of | West Texas A&M University |
Library Call Number: L1836.35 In8r / H.J. of Tex., 35th Leg., 4th C.S. 228 (1918)
Session: 35th R.S. (1917)
Online version: View report [58 pages]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. To make a through investigation into the affairs of all departments of the state and every state institution. *

* This represents an abstract of the report contents. Charge text is incomplete or unavailable.

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