July 2016 Committee of the Full Board Wednesday Item 7
Update on the Long-Range Plan for Public Education
July 20, 2016
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: The committee will receive an update on efforts to create a new long-range plan for public education.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(c)(1).
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: After receiving funding from the Texas Education Agency and the Meadows Foundation, the board voted in April 2016 to issue a Request for Qualifications for a facilitator for the long-range planning project. A team of State Board of Education members scored the applications submitted. Interviews were held with three finalists on May 10. The contract for the project was awarded to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), effective May 31, 2016.
FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: BCG staff members will interview State Board of Education members and other stakeholders as the company drafts a proposal to follow in creating a long-range plan to cover the next five to seven years. The proposal is tentatively scheduled to come to the board for its approval during the September 14-16, 2016 meeting. Consultants from BCG will provide the committee with an update on their work during this meeting.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The board is statutorily required to create a long-range plan for public education.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Texas Education Agency in February 2016 budgeted $25,000 to provide a dollar for dollar match to the Meadows Foundation grant. It is expected that additional funding will be needed from a variety of sources to complete the final phase of the work.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Securing widespread support from board members and education stakeholders for common long-term goals will help focus public education efforts over the next five to seven years, which will benefit students and taxpayers.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: This project will result in the creation of a report, which will be widely shared with Texans.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: It is likely that the Committee of School Initiatives, which has oversight over this project, will need to hold a special meeting this summer to provide guidance and direction to BCG.
Staff Members Responsible:
Gene Acuna, Director
Division of Communications and SBOE Support
Debbie Ratcliffe, Director of Media Relations
Division of Communications and SBOE Support