The Senate Committee on Education has released its interim report to the 86th Legislature.

The report addresses multiple issues, including teacher compensation, mandate relief, innovation, teacher support, high quality education, virtual education, dual credit, and monitoring implementation of legislation from the 85th Session. For full details, analysis, and conclusions from the committee, please see the complete interim report.

Spotlight on Recommendations

Interim Charge Related to Hurricane Harvey

  • Consider legislation to support mental health initiatives in districts impacted by the hurricane. Support TEA’s work in forming partnerships between higher education institutions and local school districts to provide direct mental health services at schools.
  • Incorporate school officials into local disaster planning meetings. Build off the success of school districts serving as shelters by incorporating schools into community disaster planning, in order for schools to receive much-needed supplies and supports earlier.
  • Recommend the legislature consider making additional revenues available to ESC’s and School districts affected by Hurricane Harvey to assist in facility maintenance and recovery services.

Charge 1 – Teacher Compensation

  • Expand opportunities for school districts to receive state funding for strategic staffing initiatives that encourage high quality teachers to enter districts and schools with the most needs.
  • Explore legislation to ensure teacher preparation and certification programs are rigorous and implemented with fidelity to ensure teachers are equipped and prepared for success once they enter the classroom.
  • Consider legislation to explore and define the classroom supports necessary for teacher success

Charge 2 – Mandate Relief/Innovation

  • Create a new definition for “homeless” in Tex. Ed. Code Ch. 5 that references the definition in 42 U.S.C. § 11302; change all the above references in Texas statute to cross-reference the new definition in Ch. 5.
  • Strike reference to the Teacher Retirement System from Tex. Ed. Code § 21.0452(b)(8), and instead permit SBEC to collect teacher perseverance data through PEIMS.
  • Repeal Tex. Ed. Code § 38.209(a)(3), which requires districts to report auto-injection information to the Commissioner of Education.
  • Repeal outdated lists of SBOE authority (7.102(c)(9)) over charters Tex. Ed. Code § 7.102(c)(9).
  • Exempt public school districts from the definition of “governmental entity” under Tex. Gov’t Code § 2265.001(a).
  • Repeal outdated list of SBEC duties (21.040(1), (2) and 7)) involving the former SBEC executive director, budget, and contracting. repeal Tex. Ed. Code § 21.040(1)-(2), (7).
  • Repeal Tex. Health & Safety Code §§ 114.002 and 114.005 dealing with Interagency Obesity Council and review of TEA and Dept of Agriculture programs as ineffective.
  • Repeal Tex. Ed. Code § 7.009 dealing with Best Practices Clearinghouse (Sunset recommendation).
  • Repeal Tex. Ed. Code § 39.233 dealing with high school allotment recognition.
  • Repeal Tex. Ed. Code § 44.903 dealing with lightbulbs – State law requires school districts to purchase and use in their instructional facilities certain light fixtures, namely the most cost-effective lightbulbs using the fewest watts per light output.
  • Repeal Tex. Ed. Code § 31.103(b)) dealing with requirement to requisition textbooks by June 30.
  • Repeal Tex. Ed. Code §§ 39.401-07, 39.411, 39.415 dealing with High School Completion and Success Council as it has been dormant since 2008.
  • Repeal Tex. Ed. Code § 45.208(e). submission of local depository contracts to TEA.
  • Repeal Tex. Ed. Code § 29.007 relating to the requirement for Commissioner of TEA approval of shared service arrangement.
  • Repeal Texas Education Code Section 38.0081.
  • Repeal Texas Education Code Section 38.101-38.103.
  • Require UIL to develop an extracurricular activity safety training program instead of the Commissioner.
  • Include required notice under Texas Education Code 12.1101 to be given to superintendents.
  • Change application timeline notice requirements under Texas Education Code 12.1101 from 4-6 months to 18 months to allow districts and charters time to prepare for changes and impact.
  • Consolidate the language in Texas Education Code §§ 21.410-13 pertaining to Master Teacher Certificate grants to a single statutory provision applying to all Master Teacher Certificate programs providing grant administration flexibility.
  • Repeal Texas Education Code 21.0453 and 21.044(g) and enact new all-purpose reporting provision containing all information reporting requirements for educator prep programs

Charge 3 – Classroom Conduct and Teacher Support

  • Consider legislation promoting the most effective student disciplinary methods that both protect students’ rights and opportunities to be educated as well as promote effective discipline in the classroom.
  • Consider legislation clarifying the role of on-campus law enforcement to prevent peace officers from being used to serve in daily disciplinary administration
  • Monitor and measure the use of research-based programs to ensure schools are implementing programs which are proven to work.
  • Explore reporting metrics through PEIMS that may offer better insight to student behavior and discipline while monitoring the performance of different programs in addressing these issues.

Charge 4 – Expand High Quality Education Opportunities

  • Consider legislation creating grant programs that support districts in implementing ACE models for low performing campus turn around.
  • Continue to incentivize innovative models that offer public education choice to parents and students.
  • Consider providing resources to open-enrollment public schools which have greater demand than available seats.
  • Explore options for partnerships through SB 1882 (85 R) to include Dallas ISD’s ACE model or similar teacher retention programs.

Charge 5 – Virtual Education in the 21st Century

  • Explore legislation to update funding models for students enrolled in on-line courses. Appropriate funds to ensure that TEA is able to meet the requirements.
  • Review the requirement that a student be enrolled in a public school for one year prior to enrolling in a Texas Virtual School Network.
  • Explore alternatives to course completion to demonstrate student mastery of a content area.
  • Review current statute on the virtual school network and examine updating the framework to ensure high-quality providers meet the education needs of online learners.

Charge 6 – Dual Credit

  • The Legislature should consider authorizing a study or survey to determine the cost of dual credit to institutions of higher education, independent school districts, as well as students and families, including contact hour, success point and property tax revenue support.
  • The Legislature should require students to file a degree plan upon completion of 15 SCH of academic or career and technical dual credit earned and incentivize additional advising for dual credit students.
  • The Legislature should study and evaluate whether CTE dual credit provides workforce certification pathways when possible. The Legislature should consider requiring TEA and THECB to develop a map of HB 5 endorsements which best align to individual dual credit courses, including Fields of Study Curriculum for academic dual credit and Programs of Study for CTE dual credit, in an effort to better inform students.

Monitoring Charge 7.A – Monitor State matching of the federal E-rate program (SB1)

  • The legislature should continue to monitor the progress made in connecting all Texas classrooms to high-speed internet and determine whether any future legislative action is necessary. The Legislature should also monitor the level at which districts and schools leverage the state and federal investment in broadband infrastructure in offering innovative alternatives to students and parents.

Monitoring Charge 7.B – Monitor improper relationships between educators and students and reporting of educator misconduct (SB 7), & establishment of a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) and workforce pathways (SB 22)

  • Consider legislation creating a “do not hire” registry of educators and school personnel who have been terminated or who have resigned as the result or initiation of an investigation relating to an inappropriate relationship with a student. Include access of the registry and reporting requirements to private schools, Districts of Innovation, and charter schools so educators or personnel who have been terminated or vacated a position as a result of an investigation by school districts are unable to gain future employment. The registry should be maintained by TEA for non-certified personnel and the State Board for Educator Certification for certified teachers.
  • Clarify the duty to report when a district has completed an investigation and determined that an educator did not engage in misconduct. If a completed investigation determines that the educator did not commit an act of misconduct, the superintendent or director is not required to notify the State Board for Educator Certification or TEA to prevent false allegations from adversely affecting the career of accused individuals.
  • Consider legislation clarifying the circumstances by which resignation of a district, charter, or private school employee while pending an investigation shall be reported to the “do not hire” registry. Resignation should not terminate an investigation into the circumstances of an allegation.
  • Continue to monitor implementation of SB 22.

Monitoring Charge 7.A – Monitor prohibition of monitoring system performance indicator based solely on the number or percentage of students receiving special education services (SB 160)

  • The Legislature should continue to monitor the implementation of SB 160 (85R), and determine whether any future legislative changes are necessary.
  • In particular, monitor the speed at which TEA implement items mentioned in their corrective action plan. Ensure districts have the financial resources necessary to evaluate and identify students who are entitles to special education services.