HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, March 5-9, 2001, marks Texas Public Schools Week, 1-2 and this auspicious occasion provides a perfect opportunity to 1-3 recognize the Texas educators who have attained certification from 1-4 the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; and 1-5 WHEREAS, To become certified, teachers must complete the 1-6 board's extremely rigorous requirements and demonstrate a high 1-7 degree of professional excellence; the process, which is completely 1-8 voluntary, requires immense dedication to expeditiously finish an 1-9 exacting skills and pedagogy assessment program; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Teachers who have achieved certification have had a 1-11 measurable impact on the scholastic performance of students 1-12 throughout our state and nation; school districts across Texas have 1-13 grown to appreciate the benefits of encouraging teachers to strive 1-14 for certification, a fact that is evidenced by Texas boasting a 1-15 host of certified teachers, including 36 who have garnered 1-16 certification as master teachers; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Educating the youth of Texas is an undertaking of 1-18 paramount importance, and it is truly appropriate to recognize all 1-19 the National Board Certified Teachers and the school districts that 1-20 have developed certification programs for their contributions to 1-21 this significant endeavor; now, therefore, be it 1-22 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-23 hereby commend all the National Board Certified Teachers and school 1-24 districts that support the National Board for Professional Teaching 2-1 Standards program for their commitment to excellence in education. Kitchen Menendez Smith Brown of Kaufman Cook Ellis Jones of Bexar Keel Martinez Fischer Turner of Coleman _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 183 was adopted by the House on March 5, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 183 was adopted by the Senate on March 6, 2001, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________________ Date __________________________ Governor