MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

9:00 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

*****

 

 

 

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Education was held on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Florence Shapiro

Senator Kyle Janek

Senator Dan Patrick

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

Senator Kip Averitt

Senator Steve Ogden

Senator Royce West

Senator Tommy Williams

 

*****

 

Senator Zaffirini called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m.  A quorum was present at 10:30 a.m.: 

 

The Chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on the following charge:  Report on the implementation of education reforms in House Bill 1, 79th Third Called Special Session. The review should include: the implementation of the high school allotment, the development of the best practices clearinghouse and the electronic student records system, the alignment of curriculum to attain college readiness, student improvement/growth models and access to college credit in high school.  See attached list.

 

The Chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on the following charge:  Make recommendations for controlling the costs of textbooks from kindergarten through higher education, and monitor the implementation of HB 188, 80th Legislature, relating to instructional materials.  See attached list.

 

The Chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on the following charge:  Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Education Committee, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the implementation of HB 2237, relating to grants and programs for dropout prevention, high school success and college and workforce readiness in public schools.  See attached list.

 

At 9:50 a.m. Senator Janek assumed the chair.

 

At 9:53 Senator Shapiro assumed the chair.

 

At 12:18 Senator Janek assumed the chair.

 

At 12:48 Senator Shapiro resumed the chair.

 

The Chair called persons who registered as public witnesses to provide testimony on the interim committee charges.  See attached list.

 

There being no further business, at 2:23 p.m. Senator Shapiro moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Florence Shapiro, Chair

 

 

_____________________________

Holly Mabry, Clerk