The Committee shall: 1. Study the involvement of institutions of higher education in the state's public K-12 schools related to: (1) preparing students for college, and (2) creating greater access to college. The Committee shall identify successful practices and the necessary legislative role (if any) in expanding or enhancing such partnerships.
2. Study the issues of teacher shortages and teacher utilization, including:
- projected public school student enrollment growth;
- recruitment strategies and resources for the production of teachers by universities or other providers;
- university-based and other teacher preparation program production levels;
- the impact of alternative teacher certification programs;
- the sufficiency of preparation of beginning teachers, particularly as it relates to growth in at-risk student populations;
- the benefits of creating additional state-funded teacher stipend programs in the areas of math and science; and
- strategies for attraction and retention of teachers, including the impact of competitive salaries and benefits, performance pay, and master teacher and critical shortage area incentives.
3. Study issues related to the state's current method for reporting public school dropouts and the accuracy of the information provided by these methods. The Committee shall identify possible criteria to be considered by state and local agencies in ensuring the accuracy of such data.
4. Monitor the implementation of the following bills enacted during the 76h Legislature, Regular Session: SB 4 relating to appropriations regarding public school finance, property tax relief, and public education; SB 103 relating to state assessments of public school students; SB 104 relating to keeping school campuses open after school hours for recreational purposes, latchkey programs, and tutoring; SB 875 relating to the financial accountability of school districts; SB 955 relating to pre-reading instruction for certain children; HB 2075 relating to the public notice required to be provided by a school district before adopting a proposed budget and tax rate; and HB 2307 relating to assistance to certain low-performing public school districts. Particular attention should be paid to SB 4, with emphasis on evaluating the legislation's impact on changes in teacher compensation and benefits; the effect on fast growth school districts; the overall impact on school finance system equity; the effect of the instructional facilities allotment and Tier 3; the initial implementation of provisions related to ending the practice of social promotion; and the enhancement of pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and ninth grade programs.
The Committee shall submit copies of its final report as soon as possible, but no later than September 1, 2000. This date has been chosen so that the work of the Committee can be considered when the Legislative Budget Board is developing performance and budget recommendations to the 77th Legislature. Copies of the final report should be sent to the Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the Senate, Legislative Council and Legislative Reference Library.
The final report of the Committee should be approved by a majority of the voting members of the Committee and include any recommended statutory changes. Draft legislation containing any recommended statutory changes should be attached to the report. Recommended agency rule changes should also be attached to the report.