Committee forwards proposals

AUSTIN (AP) A Texas Senate committee approved legislation Friday that included several education reform measures. The proposal next goes before the full Senate. Here's a look at some of the highlights:

-Changes the school start date to the fourth Monday of August, with no exceptions. Currently schools start the week of Aug. 21 but can get a waiver to begin earlier.

-Gives teachers, school nurses, counselors and librarians a $2,000 pay raise, which includes $500 to restore a full $1,000 health care stipend that lawmakers previously cut in half.

-Cuts the health care stipend entirely for school employees such as custodians, secretaries, bus drivers, food service workers and teacher assistants.

-Establishes a new high school allotment, giving districts an extra $207 for every high school student. The proposal does not specify how the money should be spent, but is intended to prepare students for college and reduce the dropout rate.

-Prohibits the State Board of Education from continuing the textbook adoption process. Lawmakers intend to overhaul that process during the next regular session in 2007 to include money for technology. The board is scheduled to replace elementary math textbooks next year.