MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Monday, October 20, 2008

9:00 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Education was held on Monday, October 20, 2008, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Florence Shapiro

Senator Kip Averitt

Senator Steve Ogden

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

Senator Royce West

 

Senator Dan Patrick

Senator Tommy Williams

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

Senator Shapiro made opening remarks to the committee.

 

Senator Shapiro 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. Include a review of the revised methodology the Texas Education Agency uses to calculate the dropout rate.  See attached list.

 

At 10:13 a.m. the roll was called and a quorum was established.

 

Senator West moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on August 18, 2008, August 27, 2008, and October 14, 2008; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Shapiro called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on the following charge:  Review and make recommendations regarding best practices for programs targeted to improve the academic success of limited English-proficient students.  See attached list.

 

 

 

Senator Shapiro 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.

 

Senator Shapiro called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on the following charge:  Review the access and quality of career and technical education programs in the state and make recommendations to improve these programs to address the economic and workforce needs of this state.  See attached list.

 

At 1:07 p.m. the chair called persons who registered as public witnesses to provide testimony on the above interim committee charges.  See attached list.

 

There being no further business, at 2:09 p.m. Senator Shapiro moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Florence Shapiro, Chair

 

 

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Holly Mabry, Clerk