MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

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 Tuesday, August 16, 2016, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Larry Taylor, Chair	None
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Sylvia Garcia
Senator Don Huffines
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator José Rodríguez
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Van Taylor
Senator Royce West

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out the interim charge to examine current school board governance policies and practices and make recommendations that could improve the focus, attitudes, and outcomes of Texas school boards, districts, and students. Study existing board training requirements for public schools and make suggestions to education school board trustees of policies that could achieve better student outcomes, particularly within the framework set for low-performing schools in House Bill 1842 (84R).

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair.

Senator Larry Taylor resumed the chair.

Senator Van Taylor assumed the chair.

Senator Larry Taylor resumed the chair.

Senator West assumed the chair.

Senator Larry Taylor resumed the chair.

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

The chair laid out the interim charge to monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor legislation to raise standards of teacher preparation programs and establish a more consistent, high-quality accountability system.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

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

The chair laid out the interim charge to monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor initiatives to build a high-quality pre-kindergarten grant program.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Rodríguez assumed the chair.

Senator Larry Taylor resumed the chair.

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

There being no further business, at 6:22 PM Senator Larry Taylor moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Larry Taylor, Chair

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Nicole Sunstrum, Clerk