Sen. Kyle Janek should be applauded for voting for Senate Bill 1643, a proposal to improve public education by giving teachers the tools they need to be effective in the classroom.

When 82 percent of Texas graduates are not fully prepared for college or a high-paying job, it’s clear we need to embrace such legislation.

With dropout rates on the rise and student achievement lagging, we do not have the luxury of failing to enact change in education.

Senate Bill 1643 includes many of the elements from the Governor’s Business Council recommendations, “Excellence in the Classroom,” which has received widespread support from state and national organizations, the vast majority of teachers and Texas leaders.

The recommendations aim to boost teacher effectiveness by improving teacher evaluation, professional development and principal leadership, rewarding effective teachers, removing persistently ineffective teachers and boosting and holding accountable educator preparation.

I hope this vote and leadership by the Senate Committee on Education serves as an example for all Texas senators as they consider these urgently needed improvements in public education.