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Seal of the Senate of the State of Texas
Welcome to the official website for the
Texas Senate
 
Senate Committee on Education
NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 79th Legislative Session.

Committee Information

CHAIR
Florence Shapiro

VICE-CHAIR
Royce West

MEMBERS
Kip Averitt
Kyle Janek
Steve Ogden
Todd Staples
Leticia Van de Putte
Tommy Williams
Judith Zaffirini

 

CLERK:
Tara Korstad

TEL:
(512) 463-0355

LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 440

Video/Audio Archives

79th Session Interim

79th Third Called Session

79th Second Called Session

79th First Called Session

79th Regular Session

Written Testimony Submissions and Handouts

October 18, 2006

Agenda

Interim Charge #2

Interim Charge #3

Public Testimony

October 17, 2006

Agenda

(No other files for download.)

October 13, 2006

Agenda

Overview of Supreme Court Ruling & Legal Precedents

Successful School Choice Programs Nationwide

Successful School Choice Programs in Texas

Perspectives of School Choice Programs

Public Testimony

October 4, 2006

Agenda

Overview of Current Accountability System

Accountability Standards

Assessments

On-line Delivery

Public Testimony

September 20, 2006

April 20, 2006

July 29, 2005

Handouts are posted as submitted.

July 20, 2005

Handouts are posted as submitted.

July 6, 2005

June 22, 2005

May 16, 2005

May 5, 2005

April 25, 2005

April 5, 2005

March 22, 2005

March 8, 2005

Handouts are posted as submitted.

March 1, 2005

Handouts are posted as submitted.

February 22, 2005

February 8, 2005

Agenda

Handouts are posted as submitted.

Interim Charges

  • 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.
  • Study and make recommendations on educational reforms necessary to focus high schools and student performance on post-secondary readiness and success.
  • 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.
  • Study the impact of pay-for-performance and differentiated pay scales on teacher recruitment and retention. Examine alternative approaches to improving teacher retention. Study valueadded 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.
  • 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.
  • Evaluate the impact of successful school choice programs on students, parents, and teachers.

Joint Charge with Senate Finance Committee:

  • Review and make recommendations that address the state's facility infrastructure needs for public schools, including effective models for state funding as well as efficient methods to ensure responsible use of public tax dollars.