June 2018 Committee on School Initiatives Item 3
Development of a Long-Range Plan for Public Education
June 15, 2018
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITIATIVES: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the committee and board with the opportunity to consider vision statements and recommendations proposed by the Long-Range Plan for Public Education Steering Committee.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(c)(1).
TEC, §7.102(c)(1), requires the State Board of Education to “develop and update a long-range plan for public education.”
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The board in September 2016 approved a work plan crafted by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the board’s consultant, that outlines the process to be followed in creating a Long-Range Plan for Public Education. The board in November 2016 approved a process for selecting members of the Long-Range Plan Steering Committee. The members of the steering committee were selected in June and July 2017. The board received a briefing during the April 2018 meeting on findings from community meetings held around the state between November 2017 and February 2018, as well as on results from a survey.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The board last approved a long-range plan in November 2000. The report was called the Long-Range Plan for Public Education, 2001-2006.
As it began to consider creating a new plan, the board agreed to a two-phase approach. The first phase developed the methodology to be followed in creating a new plan. Phase II is now under way, using a multi-pronged approach to develop the new plan which will set goals through the year 2030.
The work of the 18-member steering committee, the 10 community meetings held around the state, and a survey focused on gathering information around four broad areas:
- Educator preparation, recruitment, and retention
- Equity and access
- Student engagement and empowerment, including effectively supporting all students and preparing students for postsecondary careers or the work force
- Family engagement and empowerment
The steering committee is taking the stakeholder input, as well as research prepared for the committee, to craft recommendations to the board. The committee prepared vision statements and recommendations to the board at its May 14-15 meeting.
The steering committee’s vision statements and recommendations now come to the committee and the board for review. Any suggestions received from the board at this meeting will be taken into consideration when drafting the Long-Range Plan for Public Education Report. This proposed report is expected to come to the State Board of Education for action in September.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Texas Education Agency, The Texas Comprehensive Center (TXCC) at American Institutes for Research (AIR), and the Meadows Foundation are providing in-kind or financial assistance for Phase II of the project. The fiscal impact to districts will not be known until the long-range priorities are established.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Students, educators, and the public will benefit from a long-range plan designed to provide a high-quality education program.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: This project will result in a new long-range plan report.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Public comments have been obtained at community meetings and through a survey. Summaries of those comments can be found on the board’s Long-Range Plan website.
Staff Member Responsible:
Debbie Ratcliffe, Executive Director
Division of State Board of Education Support
Separate Exhibit: Proposed vision statements and recommendations for the Long-Range Plan for Public Education