MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

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 Tuesday, July 20, 2010, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Florence Shapiro

Senator Dan Patrick

Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

 

Senator Wendy Davis

Senator Steve Ogden

Senator Kel Seliger

Senator Royce West

Senator Tommy Williams

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:14 a.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

Senator Shapiro made opening remarks to the Committee.

 

Senator Shapiro recognized Representative Rob Eissler as being present and welcomed him.

 

Senator Van de Putte made opening remarks to the Committee.

 

Representative Eissler made opening remarks to the Committee.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on Interim Charge 3:  Review teacher compensation, evaluations, professional development, certification and training programs. Specifically, review the following:

o    Teacher compensation including the Minimum Salary Schedule, incentive pay, merit pay, and stipends;

o    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;

o    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.

o    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 in-service levels to ensure all teachers are highly qualified to teach students with disabilities.

At 11:30 a.m. Senator Patrick assumed the chair. 

At 11:34 a.m. Senator Shapiro resumed the chair.

At 2:07 p.m. Senator Patrick assumed the chair.   

At 2:26 p.m. Senator Shapiro resumed the chair. 

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

 

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

 

There being no further business, at 3:03 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