Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has released the Texas Senate's interim charges, leading up to the next Regular Session, which convenes in January, 2011. These items represent policies or ideas that Senate leaders believe are important for various standing and interim committees to examine. Each panel will conduct hearings during the next several months before making official recommendations. The charges are, therefore, a preview of issues that could materialize in new laws and funding priorities.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that topics frequently surface in bills that have nothing to do with any official charges, such "guns on campus" legislation that was seriously considered in 2009 (a measure to allow licensed carriers of firearms to bring weapons to school failed to pass).
The House released its interim charges in November. It was the subject of a previous blog, here.
The full list of Senate charges is available here. Community and technical college educators are advised to pay particular attention to page 13 of the lengthy document. Here is a link to Lt. Gov. Dewhurst's "highlighted" charges, which relate primarily to career training and nursing programs.
Generally speaking, the language does not contain opinions on what the leaders think should be enacted. Typically the topics fall into the realm of "unfinished business" from previous Regular and Special Sessions. Some issues, such as performance funding, have become perennial.
When examined as a whole, the list of priorities for higher education contains few surprises, and runs the gamut of topics that readers of TCCTA communications would likely expect: transfer issues, accountability, jobs skills creation, the nursing shortage, online degree programs, and a further study of digital textbooks.
In the area of developmental education, the language gets more portentous, pointing out that DE programs currently cost the state "over $100 million per year." As reported here frequently, Commissioner of Higher Education Raymund Paredes has called for a "complete overhaul" of developmental education. A number of pilot programs have been launched during the current biennium.
The charges also urge an examination of dual credit programs, including the possibility of a "statewide dual credit system," to address issues of "rigor and consistency."
In addition, the Senate Higher Education Committee will consider proposals for three-year baccalaureate programs and for expanding the list of community colleges (now three) that offer bachelor's degrees in certain specialized fields.
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