Fiscal Accountability Establish a public school district fiscal accountability system like that recommended by the Commissioner of Education and the Comptroller of Public Accounts in response to SB 875. Governance TBEC believes that it is important to create a state policy framework that will increase the probability that school boards will function more effectively and contribute more positively to the performance of public schools. We know that state policy cannot solve every serious local governance problem nor guarantee that all school boards will become positive forces for public school improvement. Student Acheivement Require TEA to report on school performance at the checkpoints of the Student Success Initiative. Require that all high school career and technology courses articulate with a post-secondary degree or certificate program.
Technology Establish a program to improve school district information technology systems.
This is necessary to improve school operations, provide educators information to improve performance, and improve the quality of data. Require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to issue an annual performance report on all public post-secondary institutions in Texas. This funding mechanism could be phased in over time by freezing or limiting the increase of credit hour payments and replacing that amount with the completion stipend. TBEC understands that it may not be possible to achieve all of these objectives in the 2001 legislative session, but believes that all of these recommendations address important issues that, if addressed, will lead to improved educational achievement for all the young people of our state.