1-1                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 398

        1-2           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to

        1-3     recognize the El Paso Collaborative for Academic Excellence for

        1-4     raising scholastic levels to provide the best possible education

        1-5     for area children; and

        1-6           WHEREAS, In collaboration with The University of Texas at

        1-7     El Paso and the El Paso Community College, three area school

        1-8     districts have worked to increase standards and graduation

        1-9     requirements far beyond the state's minimum expectations; and

       1-10           WHEREAS, The El Paso, Socorro, and Ysleta school districts

       1-11     are to be commended for developing their own high criterion based

       1-12     on the best national and state standards; the students are being

       1-13     challenged to be the best and brightest in the country; and

       1-14           WHEREAS, At a time when schools in the United States have

       1-15     come under close scrutiny and many have been found lacking in

       1-16     academic excellence, these three El Paso County school districts

       1-17     have addressed the problem and raised the requirements for

       1-18     graduation in three distinct areas:  math, foreign language,

       1-19     and fine arts; and

       1-20           WHEREAS, Although all students graduating from the

       1-21     El Paso County school districts may not be college-bound, the

       1-22     schools are working toward their goal of providing the number of

       1-23     credits and types of courses necessary for college admission; each

        2-1     child is encouraged to achieve his or her highest potential; and

        2-2           WHEREAS, By placing a strong emphasis on academic

        2-3     achievement and providing an atmosphere conducive to learning,

        2-4     the El Paso County school districts are serving as models for

        2-5     other Texas school districts and demonstrating that "con ganas"

        2-6     all Texans can succeed; now, therefore, be it

        2-7           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

        2-8     75th Legislature, hereby extend congratulations to the El Paso

        2-9     Collaborative for Academic Excellence for its innovative approach

       2-10     to education reform and extend best wishes for continued success

       2-11     in its future plans; and, be it further

       2-12           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the

       2-13     participating school districts as an expression of the esteem of

       2-14     the Texas Senate.

       2-15                                                               Shapleigh

       2-16                                  ______________________________________

       2-17                                          President of the Senate

       2-18                                       I hereby certify that the above

       2-19                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

       2-20                                  on March 26, 1997.

       2-21                                  ______________________________________

       2-22                                          Secretary of the Senate

       2-23                                  ______________________________________

       2-24                                           Member, Texas Senate