MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Education was held on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Larry Taylor, Chair

 

None

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Paul Bettencourt

 

 

Senator Donna Campbell

 

 

Senator Sylvia Garcia

 

 

Senator Don Huffines

 

 

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

 

 

Senator José Rodríguez

 

 

Senator Kel Seliger

 

 

Senator Van Taylor

 

 

Senator Royce West

 

 

 

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Chairman Seliger called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM. This being a joint hearing, Chairman Larry Taylor called the meeting to order at 9:06 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

Chairman Seliger and Chairman Taylor shared presiding duties.

 

The Chairs made opening remarks about the joint committee hearing.

 

Senator Lucio was recognized on a point of personal privilege.

 

Chairman Seliger laid out the following interim charge: Monitor the ongoing implementation of HB 5 (83R), and examine current projections for preparation of Texas high school students for postsecondary education and workforce training. Examine best practices and recommend strategies to align the implementation with the 60x30TX higher education plan, including, but not limited to, dual credit, credit transferability, and fields of study.

 

Chairman Seliger called invited testimony (see attached witness list).

 

Senator Creighton was present.

 

Chairman Seliger laid out the following interim charge: 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.

 

Chairman Seliger called invited testimony (see attached witness list).

 

Chairman Taylor opened public testimony on the joint interim charges (see attached witness list).

 

Chairman Taylor moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 6:56 PM Chairman Taylor moved that the Senate Higher Education Committee and the Senate Education Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Larry Taylor, Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Nicole Sunstrum, Clerk