Education leaders unify with a plan

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Education leaders from across the state met at the Capitol on Tuesday to discuss a plan they say will save education in Texas. The proposal is called Common Ground, and it outlines changes that need to be made in the state's public school system. The paper recommends policy changes in four areas: standards, accountability, capacity and control. Some of the recommendations include:

• College/workplace readiness as the standard for all high school graduates, with three diplomas and multiple curriculum paths within the recommended diploma
• An accountability system with easily understood principles that fairly evaluates and promotes greater effectiveness in school districts and schools toward reaching high standards
• More resources to cover enrollment growth and inflation plus new funds for high leverage investments as well as new data collection programs

The education leaders said the $2 billion Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst proposed to add to the education budget would be a good starting point but would not necessarily cover all the changes they believe need to be made.