The third annual Statewide Education Legislative Briefing, the state’s premier education policy forum, drew a diverse audience of more than 200 representatives of business, education, statewide agencies and associations and policymakers. The purpose of the Briefing is to form a working partnership for the good of our schools and to focus state attention on initiatives, policies and programs preparing our students for post-high school success.

The standing-room-only audience heard state policy recommendations from the Texas Education Reform Caucus, the Texas Business & Education Coalition and the Governor’s Business Council. Members of the Senate and House Education Committees provided a comprehensive picture of the education issues to be addressed in the upcoming Legislative session. Sessions included:

Our Schools and Our Future
Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst

Legislative Panel: What’s Likely / What’s Needed for 2007
Sen. Florence Shapiro, Rep. Rene Oliviera, Rep. Rob Eissler, Rep. Dan Branch

Demographic Snapshot of Texas
Dr. Steve Murdock, Texas State Demographer

Education/Business Panel: 2007 Policy Recommendations
Texas Education Reform Caucus, Governor’s Business Council, Texas Business & Education Coalition

Looking Forward in Texas Education
Dr. Mike Moses, former Texas Commissioner of Education

Photo Gallery and Audio Coverage

Vidal G. Martinez, TPERF Chairman, introduces Lt. Governor David Dewhurst.
Listen to Lt. Governor Dewhurst’ s speech

Steve Murdock, Texas State Demographer
Listen to Murdock’s speech
Download Murdock’s PowerPoint presentation

Legislative Panel: Sen. Florence Shapiro, Rep. Rene Oliviera, Rep. Rob Eissler, Rep. Dan Branch
Listen to the legislative panel remarks
Download Rep. Eissler's PowerPoint presentation
Download Rep. Branch's PowerPoint presentation

Business & Education Panel: Don McAdams (Texas Education Reform Caucus), Charles McMahen (Governor’s Business Council), John Stevens (Texas Business & Education Coalition)
Listen to the business and education panel remarks

Mike Moses, former Texas Commissioner of Education
Listen to Moses’ speech
Download Moses’ PowerPoint presentation