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.

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