SENATE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

COMMITTEE:    Higher Education 

TIME & DATE:  9:00 AM, Wednesday, June 20, 2012 

PLACE:        E1.012 (Hearing Room) 
CHAIR:        Senator Judith Zaffirini 

The Senate Higher Education Committee will hold a public hearing to address three Interim Charges:

Study and make recommendations regarding more effective means of using technology, including the effectiveness of online learning and online coursework for underprepared students. Examine the cost and funding of online education. Examine how electronic coursework and technology impacts students with disabilities, and make recommendations to ensure all students have access to electronic materials and courses. Review and make recommendations concerning statewide or inter-system cooperation for blended and online learning.

Study developmental education programs in public higher education institutions. Include a demographic analysis of students who require developmental education, and identify alternative means of assessing the need for developmental education, the effectiveness of delivery of developmental education programs, and the role of P-16 councils in addressing solutions for better preparing students for higher education. Review alternative means of offering and financing developmental education courses and identify potential cost savings.

Study and make recommendations regarding academic and non-academic barriers to non-traditional students, including students with disabilities. Focus on ways to restructure course and program delivery, student support services, financial barriers, and remediation and academic advising. Study and make recommendations to reduce time-to-degree, incentivize on-time graduation, and increase graduation rates to meet the goals of Closing the Gaps by 2015 and beyond.

*Public testimony will be limited to three minutes. If submitting written testimony or distributing handouts, please provide 15 copies, with your name on each copy, to the committee when called to testify.