MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Friday, August 24, 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, August 24, 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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Senator Dan Patrick called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. The following business was transacted:

Senator Dan Patrick chaired this hearing on Senate Interim Charges #5 and #6.

Senator Dan Patrick recognized committee members to make opening remarks.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on Senate Interim Charge #6: Study the impact of school choice programs in other states on students, parents, and teachers. Explore the use of education tax credits and taxpayer savings grants, and examine potential impacts on state funding.  See attached list.

At 9:18 AM the roll was called and a quorum was established.  Senator Seliger moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on May 18, 2012, and July 17, 2012; without objection, it was so ordered. 

At 11:51 AM Senator Florence Shapiro assumed the chair.

At 11:59 AM Senator Dan Patrick resumed the chair.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on Senate Interim Charge #5: Study the performance and accountability of charter schools, best practices of high-performing charter schools, and barriers to replication. Review policies and practices for authorizing high-quality charters and closing poor-performing charters. Study the benefits of and costs related to increasing the number of charters, as well as establishing additional authorization boards to grant new charters.  See attached list.

At 2:29 PM Senator Florence Shapiro assumed the chair.

At 2:44 PM Senator Dan Patrick resumed the chair.

The chair called persons who registered as public witnesses to provide testimony on the interim committee charges. See attached list.

At 4:56 PM Senator Kel Seliger assumed the chair.

At 5:06 PM Senator Dan Patrick resumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 5:27 PM Senator Dan Patrick 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 McCoy, Clerk