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9 Document(s) [ Subject: Charter schools ]

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
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 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:	House Public Education
Title:	Interim Report
Subjects:	Academic performance | Alternative schools | Charter schools | Disciplinary alternative education programs | Educational accountability | Grade-point averages | High school graduation requirements | Juvenile justice alternative education programs | Parent-school relationships | School discipline | State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness | University Interscholastic League | University of Texas at Austin |
Library Call Number:	L1836.82 Ed84h
Session:	82nd R.S. (2011)
Online version:	View report [22 pages]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Conduct a review of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and make recommendations as needed.
2.	Monitor state and local implementation of the new state assessment system (STAAR), specifically the impact on students, instruction, teachers, and graduation or promotion rates. Review how districts are implementing the requirement that the end-of-course assessment count for 15 percent of the student's course grade. Recommend any changes to graduation or testing requirements that promote instructional rigor and support postsecondary readiness while appropriately limiting an overreliance on standardized testing.
3.	Evaluate the charter schools system in Texas. Examine success and failure stories in Texas and other states. Review the educational outcomes of students in charter schools compared to those in traditional schools. Identify any best practices and how those practices may be applied statewide. The study should include recommendations.
4.	Review and make recommendations on the effectiveness of Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs (DAEPs) and Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs (JJAEPs) in reducing students' involvement in further disciplinary infractions. Determine the appropriate role of disciplinary alternative placements in promoting education achievement and how technology could be used to supplement education services. Consider appropriate placements in DAEPs or JJAEPs and consistent funding models for those programs. Consider options for counties without a JJAEP or inefficiently few placements in a JJAEP. Identify positive behavioral models that promote a learning environment for teachers to appropriately instruct while addressing any behavioral issues and enforcing student discipline.
5.	Review methods and best practices in Texas and other states to encourage more parental and community involvement in the education of Texas children.
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
Library Catalog Title:	House Committee on Public Education, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2000 : a report to the House of Representatives, 77th Texas Legislature.
Subjects:	Alternative schools | At-risk youth | Career and technical education | Charter schools | Children with disabilities | Education Agency, Texas | Educational accountability | Job training programs | Juvenile justice alternative education programs | School discipline | Special education | Technology education | Textbooks |
Library Call Number:	L1836.76 ed83h
Session:	76th R.S. (1999)
Online version:	View report [65 pages  File size: 3,833 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Evaluate the charter school program. Review the roles of the state, the Texas Education Agency, and local districts and agencies, as well as the performance of the schools and their students.
2.	Review the goals of alternative education, disciplinary alternative education and juvenile justice alternative education programs. Study the organization and functioning of the programs to determine the extent to which they are meeting goals.
3.	Conduct a comprehensive review of the state's philosophy and policies regarding career and technical education with attention to students who do not pursue advanced degrees.
4.	Conduct active oversight of the agencies under the committee's jurisdiction, including, particularly, the pre-K, kindergarten and 9th grade grant programs authorized in SB 4, 76th R.S..
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.
Committee:	House Public Education
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	House Committee on Public Education, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 1998 : a report to the House of Representatives, 76th Texas Legislature.
Subjects:	Charter schools | Education Agency, Texas | Education Service Centers | Education, Texas State Board of | School budgets | School buses | School safety | Special education | State Board for Educator Certification |
Library Call Number:	L1836.75 ed83h
Session:	75th R.S. (1997)
Online version:	View report [45 pages  File size: 2,035 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	Examine legislative strategies to improve efficiency of public schools. Include use of technology, alternative methods of delivering educational services, financial incentives, reduced administrative costs, any other measure.
2.	Review progress of charter schools and public education grants, including revisions enacted by the 75th legislature.
3.	Investigate accidents and other safety issues arising in situations where school districts have contracted with external entities to provide transportation services.
4.	Monitor progress and implementation of other legislation, including SB 133, 75th R.S., relating to safe schools (jointly with the House Committee on Juvenile Justice and Family Issues), SB 1158, 75th R.S., relating to education service centers, and HB 1800, 75th R.S., relating to inclusion of more special education students in the accountability system.
5.	Conduct active oversight of agencies under committee's jurisdiction.
Committee:	Joint Review of the Central Education Agency, Select
Title:	Interim report
Library Catalog Title:	Final report of the Joint Select Committee to Review the Central Education Agency.
Subjects:	Alternative schools | At-risk youth | Charter schools | Education | Education Agency, Texas | Education reform | Education Service Centers | Education, Texas State Board of | Educational accountability | Elementary education | School choice | School discipline | School safety | Secondary education | Special education |
Library Call Number:	L1836.73 ed83s
Session:	73rd R.S. (1993)
Online version:	View report [69 pages  File size: 2,694 kb]
Charges:	This report should address the charges below.
1.	The committee shall conduct an in-depth and comprehensive review of the mission, organization, size, and effectiveness of the Central Education Agency. In conducting its review, the committee shall study the mission, organizational structure, and practices of similar agencies in other states. The review must include:
2.	a study of the agency's success in addressing the national education goals, adopted by the President of the United States and the nation's 50 governors and the goals for public education provided by Section 35.001
3.	a study of the agency's organizational mission, structure, size, and effectiveness
4.	a study of the number and effectiveness of committees created under the auspices of the agency or the State Board of Education
5.	identification of those functions that should be performed by the state and those that should be performed regionally through the regional service centers
6.	a study of the adequacy, validity, and timeliness of data collected and published by the Public Education Information Managements System (PEIMS) as provided by Section 16.007, Education Code
7.	a study of the adequacy and effectiveness of programs designed for special populations of students and for teacher and administrator staff development
8.	a study of the adequacy and effectiveness of assistance provided the site-based management teams, established under Section 21.931, Education Code
9.	a study of the efficient use of state resources, school district structure, and opportunities for shared costs in order to determine the best management and use of state resources and to assist school districts in determining optimal educational opportunities.

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