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This week's column will conclude the series outlining interim charges assigned to legislative committees of the Texas House of Representatives. There are still a number of committees and charges that the series has not covered. You can view a complete list of the charges for all House committees at www.house.state.tx.us.
This final interim charge update will outline some of the charges issued to the House Committee on Public Education and the House Committee on Higher Education. Although the legislature is expected to be called into special session in April to address public school finance, the Public Education Committee is also studying issues to formulate recommendations for the next regular legislative session beginning in January 2005. Some of the issues assigned to the committee include:
• Assess the textbook adoption and distribution system. Investigate alternative methods of delivering educational resources using technology.
• Examine and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of statewide educational initiatives, including programs to reduce dropout and increase graduation rates.
• Investigate and assess the mission and performance of University Interscholastic League and other quasi-educational organizations in terms of their role in improving student achievement.
• Examine the impact on students, schools and local economies from changes to the school start date.
• Examine issues related to state aid to school districts for debt service, including issues related to the types of facilities that should be eligible for state support.
The House Committee on Higher Education has jurisdiction over all matters in Texas pertaining to education beyond high school including colleges and universities in Texas. This committee's charges for the current interim include:
• Review the efficiency of Texas' financial assistance programs and the methods used to disseminate financial assistant information.
• Review the effectiveness of developmental education. Evaluate the current method of administration at Texas' two-year and four-year institutions of higher education.
• Examine eligibility criteria and definitions relating to admissions and access to financial assistance at Texas' institutions of higher education, as they relate to mobile students and to students who obtain nontraditional secondary educations.
Please feel free to contact me regarding these or any of the interim charges outlined in this series of articles. Public input will be important as these issues are studied and recommendations are formulated for consideration during the legislative session. You can reach me by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, Texas, 78768-2910 or by e-mail at larry.phillips@house.state..tx.us