The TBEC Coordinating Committee met on October 3rd at the TBEC offices in Austin. The meeting opened at 10:00 am with introductions followed by four very informative presentations.

Dr. Karen Jenlink, Professor of Doctoral Studies, Department of Secondary Educational Leadership at Stephen F. Austin University discussed linking teacher quality to workforce development. “The teacher is the link between academic achievement and a strong workforce. If the supply of teachers is underprepared or if there are not enough teachers in a particular academic discipline, this link becomes the weakest one in a chain of interdependent processes necessary to yield a strong workforce that is both competitive and attractive globally.” You can review Dr. Jenlink’s presentation here.

Dr. Johnny Veselka, Executive Director, Texas Association of School Administrators and Susan Holley, Associate Executive Director at TASA discussed Senate Bill 1557, passed by the 82nd Legislature, which established the Texas High Performance Schools Consortium to inform the governor, legislature, and commissioner concerning methods for transforming Texas public schools by improving student learning through the development of innovative, next-generation learning standards and assessment and accountability systems.  The Consortium, consisting of up to 20 school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to be selected by the commissioner, will focus on the following principles:  digital learning opportunities for students, high-priority learning standards, use of multiple assessments to improve learning, and local control that engages communities and parents in important education decisions, including an effective and efficient accountability system that balances academic excellence and local values.  This legislation advances the work of TASA's Public Education Visioning Institute, established in 2006. You can view the Visioning Institute’s document and Dr. Veselka’s presentation here. Also, this link takes you to a story about one district ready to opt out of standardized testing http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/education/100411-school-opts-out-of-standardized-testing

Louis Malfaro, Secretary/Treasurer, Texas AFT provided the Texas AFT’s perspective on the 82nd legislative session. Mr. Malfaro’s power point is available here.