By Green                                               H.R. No. 730
         76R12860 WMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Southwest Texas State University has been chosen by
 1-2     the Association of Teacher Educators as one of three national
 1-3     finalists for the Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award;
 1-4     and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Originally created to prepare teachers for public
 1-6     schools in Texas, Southwest Texas State University has developed
 1-7     into a multipurpose educational institution of national stature,
 1-8     but it has continued to focus on its original mission; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, In 1995, Southwest Texas State University's Teacher
1-10     Education Program was approved as a center for professional
1-11     development by the State Board for Educator Certification, and that
1-12     same year it was designated an exemplary program in staff
1-13     development by the National Council of States; and
1-14           WHEREAS, The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has
1-15     recognized the school's teacher education program for its emphasis
1-16     on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills in reading taught in
1-17     public schools; and
1-18           WHEREAS, Realizing that the duties of a classroom teacher
1-19     encompass more than the learning experience, Southwest Texas State
1-20     University's Center for Initiatives in Education has trained more
1-21     than 22,000 educators to cope successfully with such issues as
1-22     discipline, substance abuse, gangs, teen pregnancy, dropouts,
1-23     disabilities, and cultural diversity; and
1-24           WHEREAS, The university has maintained successful
 2-1     partnerships with Central Texas public schools in a variety of
 2-2     areas, including the development of field-based teacher preparation
 2-3     programs; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Throughout its history, Southwest Texas State
 2-5     University has made significant contributions to fostering
 2-6     excellence among classroom teachers in the Lone Star State, and it
 2-7     is indeed appropriate that the school be commended for its efforts
 2-8     in light of this most recent accolade; now, therefore, be it
 2-9           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-10     Legislature hereby congratulate Southwest Texas State University on
2-11     its selection as one of three national finalists for the
2-12     Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award; and, be it
2-13     further
2-14           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-15     prepared for Southwest Texas State University as an expression of
2-16     high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.