By: Strama H.C.R. No. 143

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Texas statute requires the public education system of the state to ensure that all Texas children have access to a quality education that enables them to achieve their potential and fully participate in the current and future social, economic, and educational opportunities of our state and nation; and

WHEREAS, These current and future opportunities demand a workforce well versed in 21st century technology and ready to meet the rapidly changing needs of a global economy; thus, the public education system must have a curriculum that fully embraces technology and prepares students to adapt to rapidly evolving innovations; and

WHEREAS, The use in the classroom of technologies such as the Internet and interactive learning software has been shown to raise standardized test scores, increase motivation in students, and greatly improve the effectiveness with which math, science, and language skills are taught; studies in Illinois reported state assessment test improvements among 11th grade science and 10th grade reading students who received computer-based tutoring, and evaluations in Pennsylvania showed that algebra students using similar instructional technology outperformed students in traditional classes by up to 25 percent in skill and up to 100 percent in problem solving; and

WHEREAS, In addition, classrooms employing these technologies have been more apt to retain at-risk students and have effectively introduced economically disadvantaged children to computers, improving their chances at success in future educational and career endeavors; the National Center for Education Statistics reports that 60 percent of students from families in poverty who access the Internet from only one location do so at school; and

WHEREAS, The flexibility offered by the use of these technologies also allows teachers to tailor instruction to accommodate the specific needs of individual students and provides access to resources such as vastly larger libraries, direct contact with teachers and researchers who are not physically present, and educational collections in other cities, states, or countries; and

WHEREAS, Texas statute also requires the comprehensive use of accessible technology in all aspects of instruction, administration, and communication; given the obvious classroom benefits of employing these resources, the state should assess its use of instructional technology and develop a statewide online learning program; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby create and establish the Commission on Online Learning to develop a plan to provide all students and teachers in Texas with access to the essential educational content and best pedagogical practices to ensure the general diffusion of knowledge promised in Section 1, Article VII, Texas Constitution; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the study include consideration of the following issues:

(1) accessibility of elements of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) on a state-approved website or another online source;

(2) curriculum enhancement materials that can be used as stand-alone lessons or teaching aids;

(3) electronic student assessment tools;

(4) test preparation resource tools;

(5) library and other research tools;

(6) electronic professional development tools for teachers;

(7) budget requirements to achieve recommendations;

(8) current state policies on online learning;

(9) research-based best practices in online learning from other states and from other countries;

(10) any modifications of state policies that may be needed;

(11) possible partners that could assist the state in enhancing online learning, including other states, the federal government, school districts in Texas, philanthropic foundations, nonprofit organizations, and private companies; and

(12) a specific plan of action for the legislature and Texas Education Agency to implement the most cost-effective strategy to integrate online learning into the Texas education system to the benefit of students, teachers, and parents; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the commission's membership include:

(1) two members of the senate appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(2) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(3) two members who are members of the State Board of Education appointed by the chair of the State Board of Education;

(4) two members who are superintendents of public school districts appointed by the governor;

(5) two members who are district technology directors or coordinators appointed by the governor;

(6) two members who are principals from a public school campus or open-enrollment charter school appointed by the governor;

(7) three members who are teachers from a public school campus or open-enrollment charter school appointed by the governor;

(8) three members who are business leaders from the high-tech industry appointed by the governor; and

(9) one member who is a national expert on education technology research appointed by the governor; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the chairman of the Commission on Online Learning be selected by the members of the commission; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the legislature hereby direct the commissioner of the Texas Education Agency, from the state's allotment for educational technology under Title II, Part D, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. Section 6751 et seq.), to transfer to The University of Texas System the amount of $252,671 for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2008, and the amount of $212,670 for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2009; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the legislature hereby direct The University of Texas System to use the transferred funds to pay for the necessary and reasonable expenses of the commission, including the compensation of any staff necessary to conduct the work of the commission, and authorize any member, committee, or agency of the legislature to provide staff support and other resources to the task force; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the commission be authorized to request assistance and information, excluding confidential information, from any state agency in the expectation that the agency will provide the assistance and information requested; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the commission submit a report, including findings, recommendations, and possible legislation, to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives not later than December 1, 2008; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the commission be abolished January 1, 2009.