Monday Morning Message Legislative Appropriations Request Joint Hearing The hearing for Community College Legislative Appropriations Requests (LAR) will be held on September 16th at 1:00 p.m. in Austin. This is a joint hearing held by Legislative Budget Board staff, members of the Governors Office of Budget, Planning, and Policy, as well as staff from the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees. This is the first step as LBB staff begin to build the base budget bills for the two Legislative chambers leading up to the 84th Session. Each college districts LAR is due today, August 4th to the LBB. Please make sure you forward a copy of your LAR to Don Hudson here at TACC ([email protected]). Lt. Governor Dewhurst Names New Senate Committee Chairs With many changes in Senate membership the Lt. Governor has made appointments to several significant committees: Senate Committee on Finance Chair: Sen. Jane Nelson Senate Committee on State Affairs Chair: Sen. Craig Estes Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Chair: Sen. Charles Schwertner Senate Committee on Business & Commerce Chair: Sen. Kevin Eltife Joint Interim Committee to Study Education for a Skilled Workforce Lt. Governor Dewhurst made the Senate appointments to this important Joint Committee: Co-Chair, Sen. Kel Seliger Sen. Donna Campbell, Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., Sen. Larry Taylor, and Sen. Royce West; and two additional appointments: Sen. Brian Birdwell and Sen. Kirk Watson. We understand that the committee will hold its first hearing later in August. Senate Higher Education Committee The Committee met on Tuesday, July 22nd and among the interim charges heard was: Study and make recommendations regarding the impact of technology on higher education instruction, including online courses and massive open online courses (MOOCs), and their impact on higher education excellence, cost, and funding requirements. The committee took testimony from from Pamela Quinn, Provost/ President/ Assistant Chancellor/ LeCroy Center for Educational Telecommunications. Mrs. Quinn spoke to the growth in online education. She then discussed the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) which will allow students to get reciprocity for online courses. She also discussed Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The committee then heard from Melissa Biegert, Director of Early College High Schools at Austin Community College. Dr. Biegert began by describing the demographics of ACCs student body. She spoke to the low number of students achieving their goals of getting a certificate or transferring and explained that ACC has found the key to improving outcomes is advising and counseling. Dr. Biegert discussed the partners ACC is working with to utilize technology to improve counseling and advising. She pointed to the positive impact such technology has had on outcomes. Senate Education Committee The Committee will hold a hearing on Tuesday, August 26th. Among the interim charges to be heard are the following: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education, 83rd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: HB 5, relating to public school accountability, including assessment, and curriculum requirements; providing a criminal penalty; (NOTE: Discussion on HB 5 will be limited to an update from previous hearing on the passing rates of STAAR End-of-Course assessments for the graduating class of 2015) 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. House Defense and Veterans Affairs The committee will hold a hearing on Thursday, August 7th. Members will hear testimony related to two interim charges: Study the implementation of all legislation from the 83rd Regular Session that seeks to develop a model to require state agencies regulating occupational licenses which require an apprenticeship to credit veterans relevant military experience toward the apprenticeship requirements. Study methods to assure returning veterans have access to necessary transition assistance and access to job training, education, and sustainable employment, including monitoring federal actions and coordinating state and private programs. Specifically, explore options for alternative certification programs that give returning military service men and women credit for skills learned and time served while on active duty. Track related legislation passed during the 83rd Legislature.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 21:19:13 +0000
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