This committee will propose changes to how we distribute education funding, giving us an opportunity to improve the education that Texas students receive. The legislation creating the Committee, HB 3646, also tasks us with making recommendations on closing the achievement gap, measuring college and workforce readiness, revising the education accountability system, and promoting efficient and effective support structures for public schools.
 
Over the course of the year, we will hold public hearings around Texas. In addition to learning about the technical details of funding formulas, I will make this an opportunity to work on our approach to funding quality pre-k programs inside and outside of the traditional public school setting.
 
I would also like to learn from you about what education strategies or programs are working in your community. The education challenges we face are significant, but the negative stories too often overshadow the hard work, innovations and success stories around our state. We need to do a better job celebrating, studying and replicating those successes.