Education Interim Charges of the 83rd and 84th Sessions

Interim charges (other than those relating to Harvey Recovery) are expected to be released with the coming weeks. It may be helpful to review the last two Legislative Sessions of education-related interim charges and their published reports. Not every interim charge will be covered in a report, nor will every committee publish a report. 

84^th Interim Charges – Education
Published Reports on the Interim Charges Spotlighted Below
Senate Committee on Education Interim Report to the 85th Legislature 
Senate Committee on Higher Education Interim Report to the 85th Legislature 
House Committee Public Education
House Committee Appropriations (not published) 
House Committee on Economic & Small Business Development
House Committee on Higher Education
House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs
 

• Review all public schools in Texas and examine ways to improve efficiency, productivity, and student academic outcomes & study performance-based funding mechanisms that allocate dollars based upon achievement versus attendance – Senate Committee on Public Education   
• Examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the Cost of Education Index (CEI)– House Committee on Public Education (not addressed in report)
• Evaluate the current state of school district facility needs and debt; review IFA and EDA – House Committee on Public Education (not addressed in report)
• Conduct a review of current public education programs administered by the Texas Education Agency that are funded outside of the Foundation School Program – House Committee on Appropriations
• Review current public education program that address the needs of high performing students – House Committee on Public Education
• Review current education policies and initiatives regarding students at middle grades for high school retention which includes an examination of school-based strategies and best practices that encourage at-risk youth – House Committee on Public Education
• Examine accessibly to broadband services and evaluate digital learning opportunities/integration – House Committee on Public Education & Senate Committee on Public Education
• Study the approval, expansion, and revocation of public charter schools in Texas, including the implementation of SB 2 (83R) and other legislation – Senate Committee on Public Education
• Study inappropriate teacher student relationships – House Committee on Public Education and Senate Committee on Public Education
• Study teacher shortage and retention issues in Texas and evaluate educator preparation programs – Joint Charge with the Senate Committee on Public Education & Senate Committee on Higher Education
• Evaluating school choice programs – House Committee on Public Education and Senate Committee on Public Education
• 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 – Senate Committee on Education
• Examine partnership between higher education institutions, public school districts, and workforce that promote postsecondary readiness – Joint Charge with House Committee on Public Education and House Committee on Economic & Small Business Development
• Examine best practices and recommend strategies to align the implementation with the 60x30TX higher education plan – Senate Committee on Higher Education
• Review current funding formulas for community colleges – Joint Charge with House Committee on Appropriations and House Committee on Higher Education
• Examine formulas used to fund institutions of higher education – House Committee on Appropriations
• Study the cost of tuition and student debt at public institutions of higher education in Texas – House Committee on Higher Education & Senate Committee on Higher Education
• Study the long-term viability of the Hazelwood Act – Joint Charge with the House Committee on Higher Education and House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs
• Study current policies and initiatives at institutions of higher education, including community colleges, and make recommendations toward the prevention and elimination of sexual assault on college campuses – House Committee on Higher Education

Links to Official Interim Charges
House of Representatives
Senate Committees on Higher Education, Education, and Intergovernmental Relations 

83^rd Interim Charges – Education
House Committee on Appropriations (not published) 
House Committee on Pensions (not published) 
House Committee on Corrections
House Committee on Public Education
House Committee on Energy Resources
House Committee on Investments and Financial Services (not published)
House Committee on Ways and Means (not published) 
Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations (not published) 
Senate Committee on Education

• Review current funding formulas. Specifically determine whether items funded outside base formulas should be included inside. – House Committee on Appropriations
• Study affordability of health care for active public school employees and how premiums and out-of-pocket costs have increased over time. Make appropriate recommendations. – House Committee on Appropriations + House Committee on Pensions
• Assess school discipline concerning referrals to the courts. Identify judicial initiatives which reduce these referrals without negatively impacting safety. Study the impact of SB 393 (83R) and SB 1114 (83R). -House Committee on Corrections + House Committee on Public Education
• Study expanding oil and gas production across the state and its impact on state budget and the Economic Stabilization Fund, state economy, property values and local taxes, roads, local school districts, land owners and operators, environment, projected water needs, and housing issues due to a potential influx of workers in areas of shale. -House Committee on Energy Resources and House Committee on Public Education
• Review the state regulatory and administrative systems related to public school bond issuance. – House Committee on Investments and Financial Services + House Committee on Public Education (not addressed in report)
• Report on the implementation of HB 5. Ensure creation of additional math and science courses to meet the projected need of the state’s workforce. – House Committee on Public Education
• Explore ways to improve student achievement beyond standardized test scores. Evaluate standards for campus management and teacher training. Recommend improvements in teaching methods to promote student achievement. Engage stakeholders on improving teacher recruitment. -House Committee on Public Education
• Solicit input from leading authorities concerning good relationships between the board and administration as well as between the board and superintendent. Review TEA oversight authority. – House Committee on Public Education
• Review strategies that promote student achievement at chronically underperforming schools. -House Committee on Public Education
• Recommend strategies to streamline the assessment of TEKS. -House Committee on Public Education
• Make recommendations to improve the operation of the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE). -House Committee on Public Education
• Review the state regulatory and administrative systems related to public school bond issuances. – House Committee on Public Education + House Committee on Investments and Financial Services
• Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction. In conducting this oversight, the committee should:
  • Consider reforms to state agencies that will make them more responsive to citizens.
  • Identify issues in agency governance which are in need of remedy
  • Determine whether an agency is transparent and efficient
  • Identify opportunities to streamline agency operations
  • -House Committee on Public Education (not addressed in report)
• Monitor the implementation of recent amendments to the property tax. Examine whether the frequency of reappraisals strikes the proper balance between stability and predictability in values for taxpayers and taxation at market value. –House Committee on Ways and Means
• Increase transparency, accountability, and efficiency of the comptroller’s office. -House Committee on Ways and Means
• Increase transparency in the authorization, issuance, and appropriation of debt at the local level. Recommend ways to increase citizen awareness and understanding of local government. Survey other state’s initiatives to increase transparency in local government. -Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
• Examine the impact that bonds and other types of obligations have on taxpayers. Specifically analyze whether local governments should be required to use ballot language that includes current debt and any changes to property taxes. -Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
• Examine STAAR writing scores for elementary, middle, and high school students. Review the writing requirements. Review the redesign of high school EOC exams. Review accommodations made for students because of the eliminations of the STAAR Modified exam. Review the redesign of STAAR Alternate assessment. -Senate Committee on Education
• Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education, 83^rd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for improvement. Specifically, monitor the following:
  • HB 5, relating to public school accountability, including assessment, and curriculum requirements; providing a criminal penalty;
  • HB 1926, relating to the operation of the state virtual school network and courses provided through other distance learning arrangements;
  • SB 376, relating to breakfast for certain public school students; and
  • HB 617, relating to transition and employment services for public school students enrolled in special education programs.
  • -Senate Committee on Education

Links to Official Interim Charges

• House of Representatives
• Senate Committees on:
• Intergovernmental Relations
• Education
• Higher Education