SENATE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

COMMITTEE:     Higher Education 

TIME & DATE:   9:00 AM, Tuesday, March 29, 2016 

PLACE:         E1.036 (Finance Room) 
CHAIR:         Senator Kel Seliger 

The Senate Higher Education Committee will meet jointly with the Senate Education Committee to take up and consider the following interim charges:

· 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.

· 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.

Public testimony will be limited to three (3) minutes. If submitting written testimony, please provide 20 copies to the Committee Clerk.