TLA TEXLINE NO. 198
Posted: July 29, 2005
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES NETWORK

CALL TO ACTION: Urge Senate to Include Libraries as Instructional Costs

In the wake of the House's inability to pass HB 2 or HB 3 (the education reform and tax bill, respectively), the Senate has filed a new education reform bill, SB 8. This new bill, however, contains language that would require districts to apply at 65% of available revenue (by 2008-2009) to direct instructional costs, which are defined as cost relating directly to teacher and student instructional activities. In essence, such language would exclude media services, instructional resources, and many other important educational services.

See Texline 194, 195, and 197 for additional background.

The Senate Education Committee will meet on Monday, August 1 to consider the bill.

CALL TO ACTION:
Library supporters are urged to email or call their senators immediately to ask that the SB 8 include instructional resources and media services as eligible for direct instruction funding under Section 2C.07 of the bill (Subchapter A, Chapter 44, Section 44.011 of the Education Code).

What to do:

  1. Contact your senator's office.

  2. If you are calling, ask to speak to the staff person working on education issues.

  3. Tell the staffer who you are and where you live (so they know you live in the senator's district). If you send email, be sure to include your home address.

  4. Tell the office you would like your senator to ensure that SB 8 contain language that would include instructional resources and media services (i.e., school libraries) as eligible for any funds designated for direct instruction in Section 2C.07 of the bill, which contains proposed language for Subchapter A, Chapter 44, Section 44.011 of the Education Code.

  5. Briefly, tell them that school library programs are fundamental to direct instruction. By teaching students (in classes or through individual instruction), librarians work directly with students on curriculum tasks.

  6. Point out that many of the resources students need to complete their assignments and to complete their research are available only through the media and library program.

Thank the office and offer to provide them additional information.

Texas Senate Members
Members of the Senate Finance Committee:

TEXLINE INDEX

TLA-Texline is an irregular publication of the Texas Library Association mailed directly to members interested in legislative and governmental issues affecting libraries. To subscribe -- or to offer comments or suggestions -- contact Gloria Meraz, Director of Communications, Texas Library Association. Previous issues of Texline are archived on the TLA website.