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3 Document(s) [ Subject: English as second language ]

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 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, 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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