By:  Turner                                           S.C.R. No. 47
                             SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas recognizes the
    1-2  Windham School System for the outstanding educational programs it
    1-3  provides to reduce recidivism by assisting offenders to become
    1-4  responsible and productive members of their communities; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, The Windham School System reaches this goal by
    1-6  serving over 40,000 offenders per year who have dropped out of the
    1-7  public school system and graduating over 4,000 inmates per year
    1-8  with GED Certificates, providing occupational skill training to
    1-9  over 15,000 inmates per year, and coordinating the delivery of
   1-10  postsecondary programs provided through colleges and universities
   1-11  to over 15,000 inmates per year; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, The Windham School System is an impressive success
   1-13  as the largest dropout recovery effort in Texas; and
   1-14        WHEREAS, Studies on the effect of the Windham School System
   1-15  have demonstrated a reduction in recidivism associated with
   1-16  participation in and completion of Windham school programs; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, Authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1968 and
   1-18  supported by the Foundation School Program, the Windham School
   1-19  System is recognized as accredited by the Texas Education Agency
   1-20  which establishes certification and accreditation requirements and
   1-21  regulations for its operation in fulfillment of the intent of the
   1-22  State Board of Education; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, The Windham School System is also recognized as
    2-1  accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
    2-2  (SACS), and the Windham School System was the first prison program
    2-3  nationally to be fully accredited by SACS; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, Correctional educators nationally recognize the
    2-5  Windham School System as a leader in correctional education; and
    2-6        WHEREAS, In an audit mandated by the Legislature, the State
    2-7  Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Arthur Andersen Company have
    2-8  recognized the management of the Windham School System to be
    2-9  efficient and effective; and
   2-10        WHEREAS, The Office of the Governor of Texas recognized the
   2-11  leadership of the Windham School System by naming Dr. Lane Murray,
   2-12  formerly the superintendent of the system for 24 years, to the
   2-13  Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 1988; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, The recognition by many coupled with the
   2-15  demonstrated excellence of the Windham programs make the Windham
   2-16  School System a credit to its namesake, James M. Windham, a
   2-17  respected 24-year member of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice
   2-18  which oversees Windham as its Board of Trustees; now, therefore, be
   2-19  it
   2-20        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
   2-21  hereby commend the Windham School System and congratulate it on 25
   2-22  years of excellent service to the State of Texas; and, be it
   2-23  further
   2-24        RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for the
   2-25  Windham Board of Trustees as an expression of appreciation from the
    3-1  Texas Senate.