November 2017 Committee on School Initiatives Item 7

Update on the Long-Range Plan Steering Committee

November 9, 2017

COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITIATIVES: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION

SUMMARY: This item provides the committee with an update on the work of the Long-Range Plan Steering Committee and related activities.

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.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The board last approved a long-range plan in November 2000. That five-year 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, involving the actual creation of the plan, is now under way. A report on the latest meeting for the steering committee will be provided at the Committee on School Initiative’s meeting.

The steering committee has held formal meetings on Sept. 12 and Nov. 6, 2017. The first community meeting to gather input for the long-range plan was held Nov. 2 at the El Paso Community College in
El Paso. The future community meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on the following dates:
• Nov. 14 - Region 7 Education Service Center, 1909 North Longview St., Kilgore
• Dec. 5 – Region 11 Education Service Center, 1451 S. Cherry Lane, White Settlement
• Feb. 8 – Region 4 Education Service Center, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston

Additional community meetings and steering committee meetings are planned.

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 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 are being gathered at the community meetings.

Staff Member Responsible:
Debbie Ratcliffe, Interim Director
Division of State Board of Education Support