1-1 By: Zaffirini S.C.R. No. 13 1-2 (In the Senate - Filed February 4, 1997; February 6, 1997, 1-3 read first time and referred to Committee on Education; 1-4 April 24, 1997, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 10, 1-5 Nays 0; April 24, 1997, sent to printer.) 1-6 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-7 WHEREAS, Education policy in the State of Texas has shifted 1-8 from statewide mandates to local control that allows parents and 1-9 school boards the freedom to plan for and meet the special needs of 1-10 their children and their communities; and 1-11 WHEREAS, While local control of many education decisions 1-12 offers needed flexibility to educators and parents, there are basic 1-13 elements in curriculum, guidance, and learning that should be 1-14 common to every classroom across the state in order to raise future 1-15 generations of successful, responsible, and innovative Texans who 1-16 are able to meet the challenges of the next century; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Education should impart not only academic knowledge, 1-18 but also the ability to apply theory to real-life situations and 1-19 should have as its goal helping students achieve their full 1-20 potential as well-rounded and contributing members of society; and 1-21 WHEREAS, An innovative way to teach students about the real 1-22 world is to take them outside the narrow confines of the classroom 1-23 and give them hands-on experience with complex problems and needs 1-24 that exist in their own neighborhoods and communities; and 1-25 WHEREAS, While many school districts across the state have 1-26 programs in place to address the special academic needs of gifted 1-27 and talented students and students taking advanced college 1-28 placement courses, these programs do not require leadership 1-29 development and training for our state's most promising students 1-30 and future leaders; and 1-31 WHEREAS, Community service programs give participants 1-32 valuable insight into local problems and issues, allow them to 1-33 formulate and implement new and creative solutions to existing 1-34 needs, and develop useful leadership and organizational skills; and 1-35 WHEREAS, Establishing community service requirements for 1-36 students in advanced programs would augment academic knowledge with 1-37 real-life experience, develop interested and involved citizens with 1-38 roots in the community, and create the leaders and problem solvers 1-39 of the future; now, therefore, be it 1-40 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-41 hereby encourage all independent school districts in the state to 1-42 require a community service component for any advanced or honors 1-43 programs that the districts establish; and, be it further 1-44 RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official 1-45 copy of this resolution to the commissioner of education and to 1-46 members of the State Board of Education. 1-47 * * * * *