MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

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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 Higher Education was held on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kel Seliger, Chair	None
Senator Royce West, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Konni Burton
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Kirk Watson

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Chairman Seliger called the Senate Higher Education Committee meeting to order at 9:05 AM. This being a joint hearing, Chairman Larry Taylor call the Senate Education Committee to order at 9:06 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Chairman Seliger and Chairman Taylor shared presiding duties.

The Chairs made opening remarks about the joint committee hearing.

Senator Lucio was recognized on a point of personal privilege.

Chairman Seliger then laid out the following interim charge: Monitor the ongoing implementation of HB 5 (83R), and examine current projections for preparation of Texas high school students for postsecondary education and workforce training. Examine best practices and recommend strategies to align the implementation with the 60x30TX higher education plan, including, but not limited to, dual credit, credit transferability, and fields of study.

Chairman Seliger then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).

Senator Creighton was present at the hearing.

Chairman Seliger laid out the following interim charge: Study teacher shortage and retention issues in Texas and evaluate educator preparation programs to determine if these programs are preparing educators for the rigors of the 21st century classroom. In particular, examine the shortages of ELL, special education, and STEM educators across the state and identify the issues creating a shortage. Make recommendations to improve educator preparation throughout the state and increase certification rates.

Chairman Seliger then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).

Chairman Taylor opened public testimony on the joint interim charges (see attached witness list).

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

There being no further business, at 6:56 PM Chairman Taylor moved that the Senator Higher Education Committee and the Senate Education Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Kel Seliger, Chair

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Sarah Harrington, Clerk