By: Zaffirini S.C.R. No. 13 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Education policy in the State of Texas has shifted 1-2 from statewide mandates to local control that allows parents and 1-3 school boards the freedom to plan for and meet the special needs of 1-4 their children and their communities; and 1-5 WHEREAS, While local control of many education decisions 1-6 offers needed flexibility to educators and parents, there are basic 1-7 elements in curriculum, guidance, and learning that should be 1-8 common to every classroom across the state in order to raise future 1-9 generations of successful, responsible, and innovative Texans who 1-10 are able to meet the challenges of the next century; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Education should impart not only academic knowledge, 1-12 but also the ability to apply theory to real-life situations and 1-13 should have as its goal helping students achieve their full 1-14 potential as well-rounded and contributing members of society; and 1-15 WHEREAS, An innovative way to teach students about the real 1-16 world is to take them outside the narrow confines of the classroom 1-17 and give them hands-on experience with complex problems and needs 1-18 that exist in their own neighborhoods and communities; and 1-19 WHEREAS, While many school districts across the state have 1-20 programs in place to address the special academic needs of gifted 1-21 and talented students and students taking advanced college 1-22 placement courses, these programs do not require leadership 1-23 development and training for our state's most promising students 2-1 and future leaders; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Community service programs give participants 2-3 valuable insight into local problems and issues, allow them to 2-4 formulate and implement new and creative solutions to existing 2-5 needs, and develop useful leadership and organizational skills; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Establishing community service requirements for 2-7 students in advanced programs would augment academic knowledge with 2-8 real-life experience, develop interested and involved citizens with 2-9 roots in the community, and create the leaders and problem solvers 2-10 of the future; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-12 hereby encourage all independent school districts in the state to 2-13 require a community service component for any advanced or honors 2-14 programs that the districts establish; and, be it further 2-15 RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official 2-16 copy of this resolution to the commissioner of education and to 2-17 members of the State Board of Education.