Senate Committee on Higher Education - 83rd R.S. (2013)

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.

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