Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Research reinforces the importance of an effective teacher in moving students to new horizons or closing the achievement gap for students behind their peers. Unfortunately Texas lacks a state policy for identifying developing & retaining effective teachers.
To address this issue Senator Shapiros bill
SB 4 establishes an appraisal system for educators that focuses on our end goal--improvement of student performance--and creates a continuous feedback loop to develop a quality teaching workforce.
In addition
SB 4 creates a new provisional certificate for beginning teachers. These teachers must demonstrate effectiveness before earning a standard certificate. This effort will help to ensure that only quality teachers remain in our classrooms.
But this also requires Texas to invest in our beginning teachers so they can grow into effective educators who will remain in our schools. This reinforces the importance of SB 570 which creates a comprehensive induction program for Texas beginning teachers.
Lastly SB 4 establishes career pathways so that our best and brightest educators have opportunities to excel in their profession while remaining in the classroom. Too often our most talented teachers pursue career advancement opportunities outside the classroom; this bill hopefully will change that.
Lead Reduction Bill--SB 1475
There is growing concern among the citizens of Frisco about the lead emitted from the Exide battery recycling facility.
Recently the EPA lowered the lead standard to 0.15 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air. The area around the plant in Frisco is one of only 16 areas in the nation that violates the new standard. The lead non-attainment area is
directly attributable to Exides emissions; Exide emitted 1.67 tons of lead in 2009.
Thus far no technology has been installed to reduce emissions at the plant but such technology is the only way to stop the emissions and move Frisco back into attainment.
Senator Shapiros bill SB 1475:
- Allows that existing fees on batteries collected by the state be used to assess the environmental and health effects of lead-acid battery recycling activities;
- Requires battery recyclers to conduct a health risk assessment and report the results to the TCEQ;
- Requires battery recyclers to install emission control technology to reduce the presence of lead in the air; and
- Requires that air monitors be installed and continuously operated at the property on which the facility is located.
SPOTLIGHT: Child Care Co-Ops Bill -- SB 400
In Texas more than 9200 child care providers care for more than 1.5 million young children daily. Research emphasizes the importance of quality care and the elements that produce positive outcomes. Currently certain local governments can access the State Comptrollers Co-Op to purchase consumable supplies technology and services at a discounted rate.
SB 400 would authorize Texas Rising Star providers -- who are providing quality care to our children -- the same opportunity meaning money saved from group purchasing on consumables and technology could better serve the children of this state and advance quality child care throughout Texas.
This bill passed out of the Government Organization Committee on Monday.
