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5 Document(s) [ Subject: School choice ]
| 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:
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| 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:
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| Committee: | Senate Education | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Library Catalog Title: | Report to the 80th Legislature | |
| Subjects: | College preparedness | Disciplinary alternative education programs | Education, Texas State Board of | Educational accountability | Permanent School Fund | School choice | School discipline | Teacher incentive plans | Teacher salaries | Zero tolerance policies | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.79 Ed83 | |
| Session: | 79th R.S. (2005) | |
| Online version: | View report [40 pages File size: 4,633 kb] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | 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. | |
| 2. | Study and make recommendations on educational reforms necessary to focus high schools and student performance on post-secondary readiness and success. | |
| 3. | 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. | |
| 4. | Study the impact of pay-for-performance and differentiated pay scales on teacher recruitment and retention. Examine alternative approaches to improving teacher retention. Study value-added 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. | |
| 5. | 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. | |
| 6. | Evaluate the impact of successful school choice programs on students, parents, and teachers | |
| 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: | 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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