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| | The committee will meet to hear invited and public testimony on the | 
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| | following interim charges: | 
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| | Study and recommend strategies for improving community college | 
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| | participation and success.  Examine the role of community colleges within | 
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| | the state higher education system.  Include a review of programs, | 
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| | practices, and incentives to improve efficiency and productivity, such as | 
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| | expanding dual credit options, encouraging credit by examination, and | 
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| | improving student preparation in high school. | 
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| | Study the feasibility of offering an optional curriculum that emphasizes | 
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| | ethics, Western civilization, and American traditions to satisfy portions | 
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| | of the Texas Core Curriculum. | 
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| | *Although written testimony will not be considered a part of the record, | 
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| | persons wishing to distribute handouts may do so by providing no fewer | 
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| | than 15 copies to the Committee Clerk when called to testify. | 
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