Blog Entry
CAPITOL WATCH
March 1, 2011 by s-haigler, under CAPITOL WATCH.
Mary Leonard, political liaison for TxCRLA and TADE, reports the following from the ongoing legislative sessions in Austin:
This Texas Legislative session is starting out on a slow track for developmental education. So far, only two bills relating to developmental education are filed: S.B. No. 162 (by Shapiro) is a replica of a bill she filed during the last session; and H.B. No. 1244 (by Castro).
According to Dr. Tamara Clunis, Director of Developmental and Adult Basic Education at THECB, the Shapiro bill calls for a statewide plan for developmental education to be developed by the Coordinating Board. The plan would then be submitted to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and presiding officer of each legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education not later than December 1, 2012.
The Castro bill relates to developmental education courses and the assessment of student readiness. The bill prohibits colleges from setting higher standards of student readiness than required by the state. The bill also calls for the use of technology in course delivery and requires colleges to provide professional development programs that includes instruction in differentiated-instructional methods.
Check the “Capitol Watch” page for additional proposed legislation when introduced.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Since this story was initially posted, SB 1092 was filed on March 2, 2011, by State Senator Jose Rodriguez (D - El Paso). Go to the "Capitol Watch" page for details.]
