MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Friday, May 18, 2012

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Education was held on Friday, May 18, 2012, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Florence Shapiro, Chair	Senator John Carona
Senator Dan Patrick, Vice Chair	Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Senator Wendy Davis	Senator Steve Ogden
Senator Kel Seliger	Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Senator Royce West

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:06 AM. The following business was transacted:

Senator Shapiro made opening remarks to the Committee.

At 9:14 AM the roll was called and a quorum was established.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on Interim Charge 2:  Study educator and principal preparation programs through colleges of education and alternative certification. Make recommendations to improve these programs. Examine strategies to improve recruitment of high-quality teachers. Examine alternative approaches to improving teacher retention. Study the benefits of comprehensive induction and mentoring programs.  See attached list.

At 10:30 AM Senator Dan Patrick assumed the chair.

At 10:32 AM Senator Florence Shapiro resumed the chair.

At 11:55 AM Senator Dan Patrick assumed the chair.

At 12:00 PM Senator Wendy Davis assumed the chair.

Senator Davis moved that the invited testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

No public testimony was taken.

There being no further business, at 12:33 PM Senator Wendy Davis moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Florence Shapiro, Chair

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Holly Mabry, Clerk