Sam Gwynne, Executive Editor, Texas Monthly
Mr. Gwynne shared information about Texas public schools from an article that appeared in the November 2001 edition of Texas Monthly. The article, "How good is Your Kid's School?" ranked all public schools by quality and by SES using TAAS and other data on performance. The findings of the research behind this article suggest that quality schools are not just a matter of money but also a matter of good leadership. Leadership, starting with the superintendent, appears to be the strongest influence within any school district. The best schools, regardless of SES, were able to allocate their resources to focus on their students. Many did a lot of testing for diagnostic purposes and followed it up with individualized instruction and attention to their students' needs.

Regional Meetings
Three topics were discussed among breakout groups: grade inflation, plagiarism, and the option to transfer from ORP to TRS (note: there is no such option at this time).

* Regarding grade inflation, the consensus was that it exists, but that it is not widespread.
* While the Internet makes it easier to plagiarize, it also makes it easier to catch it. It is important to let students know what plagiarism means and the penalties for it.
* The consensus was not to pursue the option of rolling over ORP to TRS.

Round-Up Reports
Issues facing individual universities include: shared governance, growth (decline in a few cases), and use of adjuncts over full-time faculty, workload, new administrators, etc.

Teri Flack, Deputy Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Ms. Flack discussed the "Closing the Gaps" initiative of the THECB, which serves as the plan for higher education in Texas. Closing the gaps refers to participation rates, success rates, excellence, and research. The aim of the plan is add 500,000 more students by 2015, to increase the number of degrees granted by 50%, to increase the number of nationally recognized programs, and to increase funding of research by 50%/

Catherine Parsoneault, Program Director, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Ms. Parsoneault discussed the core curriculum and field of study projects of the THECB. These projects mandate standardized curricula for bachelor's degree programs. There is no intention to extend this effort to graduate degree programs. At the current time, field of study curricula ready to be adopted include: engineering, early childhood education, grades 4-8 education, business, nursing, and music. Field of study curricula will be developed next for: computer science, criminal justice, and communications.

Business Meeting
Officers elected were: Claudia Stewart (West Texas A&M) for President-Elect, Sterling Smith (Texas Woman's) for Northeast Region VP, and David Weissenburger (Tarleton) for West Region VP. Summer 2001 Coordinating Board Fellows were also announced. They included: David Weissenburger (Tarleton, William Fleming (Sam Houston), Maxine Hammonds-Smith (Texas Southern), and Murray Leaf (UTD). The next meeting will be held on October 25-26, 2002.