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