| Issue |
Status/Date |
Level |
Summary |
 Finance--Funding Formulas |
Adopted 10/2012 |
P-12 |
From Texas Register: Adds provisions to reflect the agency's current practice for determining full-time-equivalent (FTE) counts for special education, bilingual education, and career and technical education allotments for school districts and charter schools in which the total enrollment contains 5.0% or more students who have certificates of eligibility in the state's migrant student tracking database. For each such district or charter school, directs the commissioner of education to calculate annual FTE as used in the calculation of the special education, bilingual education, and career and technical education allotments by using the best four of the six-week periods for each of the three FTE counts. Provides that in no case may the annual FTE count exceed the sum of the number of students who have certificates of eligibility plus the FTEs calculated by using all six six-week periods. Adopted as published in the July 27, 2012 Texas Register (pages 12-13 of 47): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0727/0727prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 129.1021
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Adult Basic Education |
Adopted 09/2012 |
P-12 |
Establishes a competitive procurement process for adult education service providers in accordance with the Texas Education Code (TEC), s.29.2535, as added by Senate Bill (SB) 1, 82nd Texas Legislature, First Called Session, 2011. Pages 13-16 of 28: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0914/0914adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 89.1301
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Adopted 09/2012 |
P-12 |
From Texas Register: Makes the following changes to improve the application process for charters authorized by the state board: (1) Specifically defines the mitigating factors to be considered when the commissioner considers adverse action for an open-enrollment charter school; (2) Allows the commissioner the latitude to enforce sanctions other than charter revocation for student health, safety, and welfare issues; (3) Requires that a charter holder notify the parents and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) anytime that operations are suspended at a campus or site for a period of more than three days; (4) Clarifies that a charter holder that is a nonprofit entity must maintain its nonprofit status at all times. Adopted as published in the June 8, 2012 Texas Register (pages 38-46 of 68): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0608/0608prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 100.1011, 1015, 1017, 1022, 1023, 1025, 1041, 1063, 1131, 1153, 1201, 1213, 1217
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Assessment--End-of-Course |
Adopted 08/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides that the commissioner of education is responsible for determining the level of performance considered to be satisfactory on the assessment instruments. Identifies the performance standards established by the commissioner for state-developed assessments, as required by statute, for all grades, assessments, and subjects. Provides a figure http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter101/19_0101_3041-1.pdf that identifies, for students first enrolled in Grade 9 or below in the 2011-2012 school year, the performance standards for the STAAR end-of-course (EOC) assessments. Clarifies the standard in place when a student first takes an EOC assessment in a particular content area is the standard that will be maintained in that content area throughout the student's high school career. Also provides, for students first enrolled in Grade 9 prior to the 2011-2012 school year or enrolled in Grade 10 or above in the 2011-2012 school year, a figure http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter101/19_0101_3041-2.pdf that identifies the performance standards for the TAKS for Grade 10 and exit level. Adopted as published in the June 15, 2012 Texas Register (pages 8-10 of 112): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0615/0615prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 101.3004, 3041
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional |
Adopted 08/2012 |
Postsec. |
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board proposes an amendment to s.5.46, concerning Criteria for New Doctoral Programs, by adding alternative criteria for meeting the undergraduate success measure standard. The intent of the amendment is to bring consistency across the Coordinating Board rules and staff procedures for the approval of new doctoral programs. Specifies the alternative undergraduate success measures an institution must meet to satisfy s.5.24(b)(5) and to be in line with s.5.46(15) of Coordinating Board rules adopted in January 2011. If an institution's six-year baccalaureate graduation rate is below the state average minus The University of Texas at Austin and Texas AandM University, permits new doctoral programs to still be considered if the institution meets at least two of three alternative criteria. Adopted as published in May 11, 2012 Texas Register (pages 30- of 85): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0511/0511prop.pdf
Full text as published in August 24, 2012 Texas Register (pages 60-61 of 169): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0824/0824adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 5.46
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation |
Adopted 08/2012 |
Postsec. |
Partially from Texas Register: Amends provisions regarding a single standard for all higher education institutions on minimum ASSET, COMPASS, ACCUPLACER, and THEA scores in reading, writing, and math to determine a student's readiness to enroll in freshman-level academic coursework. Provides that the authority for institutions to adopt more stringent assessment standards with respect to student readiness is expired effective academic year 2013-2014. Adopted as published in May 18, 2012 Texas Register (page 2 of 81): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0518/0518prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 4.57
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Parent/Family--Parent Rights |
Adopted 07/2012 |
P-12 |
Section 97.1065 addresses provisions relating to repurposing, alternative management, or campus closure, including actions requested by parent petition or local board request for alternative to approach identified in parent petition. Section 97.1067 addresses provisions relating to alternative management of campuses. Establishes processes by which the commissioner may defer a sanction action ordered for certain campuses that have unacceptable performance for multiple years. Adopted as published in April 20, 2012 Texas Register (pp. 43-43 of 51): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0420/0420prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 97.1065, 1067
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault |
Adopted 07/2012 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
From Texas Register: Establishes requirements regarding sexual abuse and child molestation training and examination for employees of certain programs for minors operated by or held on campuses of institutions of higher education or private or independent institutions of higher education. Sections 265.401 and 265.405 adopted as published in February 3, 2012 Texas Register (pp. 38-40 of 45): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0203/0203prop.pdf. Sections 265.402, 265.403, and 265.404 adopted as published in the June 13, 2012 Texas Register (pp. 20-21 of 83): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0713/0713adop.pdf
Title: 25 TAC 265.401, 402, 403, 404, 405
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Adopted 06/2012 |
P-12 |
Amends or repeals various provisions concerning the state adoption and distribution of instructional materials. Establishes procedures for the adoption, purchase, and distribution of instructional materials, including but not limited to incorporating changes resulting from Senate Bill (SB) 6, 82nd Texas Legislature, First Called Session, 2011. §§66.10, 66.22, 66.27, 66.36, 66.48, 66.51, 66.54, 66.63, 66.66, 66.72, 66.75, 66.101, and 66.105 adopted as published in the June 29, 2012 Texas Register (pp. 61-74 of 104): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0629/0629adop.pdf Amendments to §§66.1, 66.21, 66.33, 66.45, 66.57, 66.67, 66.73, 66.78, 66.104, and 66.107 and the repeal of §§66.102, 66.121, 66.124, and 66.131 are adopted as published in the February 24, 2012 Texas Register (pages 22-36 of 240): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0224/0224prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 66.1, 10, 21, 22, 27, 33, 36, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57, 63, 66, 67, 72, 73, 75, 78, 101, 102, 104, 105, 107, 121, 124, 131
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Assessment--End-of-Course |
Adopted 05/2012 |
P-12 |
From Texas Register: Repeals §101.3001 and §101.3003 and adopts new §§101.3011 and 101.3021-101.3024, concerning implementation of testing program.
Adopted new 101.3011, Implementation and Administration of Academic Content Area Assessment Instruments, retains provisions from repealed rule, §101.3001, for the implementation of the Texas Education Code (TEC), §39.023(a), (b), (c), (l), and any further testing required due to federal law. Also includes provisions that allow the continued use of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) in Grades 10 and 11 and provisions for making available certain assessments in an alternative form. Specifies that the implementation date for the 15% course grade requirement begins in the 2012-2013 school year.
Adopted new §101.3021, Required Participation in Academic Content Area Assessments and Course Grading, stipulates that a student first entering Grade 9 in the 2011-2012 school year or thereafter is required to meet the end-of-course (EOC) requirements in the TEC, §39.025. Districts are required to institute a policy where a result on the applicable EOC assessment accounts for 15% of a student's final course grade beginning in the 2012-2013 school year. Also addresses the following requirements:
--To receive a diploma, a student receiving high school course credit through credit by examination or by participating in a dual-credit course or distance-learning course must still meet the EOC assessment requirements for the student's high school graduation program.
--A student receiving course credit by participation in a dual-credit or distance-learning course, or through an advanced placement or International Baccalaureate course, is subject to the 15% course grade requirement beginning in the 2012-2013 school year.
--Students are not subject to the 15% course grade requirement if course credit is received through credit by examination. The 15% course grade requirement does not apply for certain eligible English language learners and students receiving special education services who take an alternate or modified form of an EOC assessment.
Also specifies those students who are not required to take certain EOC assessments due to completion of a course for high school credit prior to the 2011-2012 spring administration for a course for which an EOC assessment would normally apply.
Adopted new §101.3022, Assessment and Cumulative Score Requirements for the Minimum, Recommended, and Distinguished Achievement High School Programs, specifies the assessment and cumulative score requirements for the minimum high school program (MHSP), the recommended high school program (RHSP), and the distinguished achievement high school program (DAP). If a student on the MHSP is enrolled in a course that is not specified by the curriculum requirements as listed in 19 TAC Chapter 74 for the MHSP program, the student's score on the EOC assessment for that course may count toward the cumulative score requirement for the content area at the student's discretion. Students on the RHSP and DAP must take all 12 EOC assessments to receive a Texas diploma. Further, students on the RHSP must also achieve satisfactory performance on Algebra II and English III EOC assessments, and students on the DAP must achieve the advanced standard on Algebra II and English III EOC assessments. The standard in place when a student first takes an EOC assessment is the standard that will be maintained throughout the student's school career for that content area.
Adopted new §101.3023, Participation, Graduation Assessment, and Cumulative Score Requirements for Students Receiving Special Education Services, specifies:
--The admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee determines if a student receiving special education services will need to meet satisfactory performance on an EOC assessment and the cumulative score requirements for purposes of graduation. Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, all Grades 9-12 students with significant cognitive disabilities who are assessed with an alternate assessment as specified in the student's individualized education program (IEP) will be assessed using alternate versions of EOC assessments.
--A student receiving special education services and who is first enrolled in Grade 9 or below in the 2011-2012 school year will be administered a modified version of an EOC assessment instrument as required by the student's IEP.
--If a student receiving special education services is administered an alternate or modified form of an EOC assessment, the 15% course grade requirement of the TEC, §39.023(c), will not apply and a cumulative score will not be reported for alternative or modified assessments.
--If a student receiving special education services is enrolled in a course for which there is an EOC assessment but no corresponding modified or alternate version of that assessment, the student is not required to take an assessment for that course. However, if a student who is receiving special education services is administered a general education EOC assessment as listed in the TEC, §39.023(c), the 15% course grade requirement will apply beginning in the 2012-2013 school year and a cumulative score will be reported for the student.
Adopted new §101.3024, Assessment Requirements for Students First Enrolled in Grade 9 Prior to 2011-2012 School Year or First Enrolled in Grade 10 or Above in 2011-2012 School Year, retains provisions from repealed rule, §101.3003, to specify the assessment graduation requirements needed to achieve a Texas high school diploma. The new rule also specifies that the TAKS-Modified assessments will continue to be the assessment requirement for a student receiving special education services who is enrolled above Grade 9 in the 2011-2012 school year and for whom an IEP specifies that the student will take a modified version of an assessment.
Adopted as published in the March 2, 2012 Texas Register (pages 22-25 of 40): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0302/0302prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 101.3001, 3003, 3011, 3021, 3022, 3023, 3024
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Bilingual/ESL |
Adopted 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Most changes are nonsubstantive changes that align rules with statute, update terminology, or move dual language immersion program sections/references to the same subchaper as sections relating to English language learners. However, the rulemaking also includes substantive changes:
Section 89.1220, Language Proficiency Assessment Committee: Permits a district to identify, exit, or place a student in a program without written approval from the student's parent or guardian under certain circumstances.
Section 89.1230, Eligible Students with Disabilities: Clarifies the requirements for serving students who are English language learners and who also qualify for special education services.
Section 89.1235, Facilities: References "facilities" instead of "schools" to address the use of newcomer centers. Also clarifies the limit on the amount of time a student may be housed at a newcomer center.
Section 89.1250, Required Summer School Programs: Clarifies eligibility for students to enroll in the summer school program.
89.1220, 89.1230, 89.1235, 89.1250 (cited above) and other non-substantive changes adopted as proposed in the March 16, 2012 Texas Register (pages 2-13 of 26): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0316/0316prop.pdf
89.1210 adopted as published in the May 25, 2012 Texas Register (pages 28, 30-32 of 85): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0525/0525adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 89.1201, 1203, 1205, 1207, 1210, 1215, 1220, 1225, 1227, 1228, 1230, 1233, 1235, 1240, 1245, 1250, 1265, 1267, 1269
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Finance--District |
Adopted 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Defines "financial exigency." As required by 2011 S.B. 8, establishes minimum standards concerning school district financial conditions that must exist for declaration of a financial exigency by the district board of trustees. Requires the board to notify the commissioner of adoption of resolution or extension declaring financial exigency within 20 calendar days of adoption.
Pages 2-6 of 32: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0511/0511adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 109.2001
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Adopted 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Updates the graduation requirements to align with recently passed legislation, allows additional courses to satisfy certain graduation requirements, and provides additional clarification regarding requirements.
Sections 74.1 and 74.71 adopted as published in the December 16, 2011 Texas Register (pages 13 and 15-16 of 30): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1216/1216prop.pdf
Sections 74.3, 74.71, 74.72, 74.73, 74.74 adoped as published in the May 25, 2012 Texas Register (pages 14-28 of 85): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0525/0525adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 74.1, 3, 71, 72, 73, 74
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability--Licensing/Program Review and Approval |
Adopted 05/2012 |
Postsec. |
Defines the meaning of a reciprocal state exemption agreement as it relates to out-of-state postsecondary institutions wanting to offer distance education in Texas. Provides a clearer understanding for out-of-state institutions to which certain rules apply. Also includes an exemption based upon participation in a reciprocal state exemption agreement, to clarify the process by which out-of-state institutions receive approval for offering distance education in Texas. This amendment allows the Coordinating Board to enter into reciprocal state exemption agreements that could benefit Texas public institutions of higher education by exempting them from the oversight of other state higher education agencies for the purpose of distance education. Published as adopted in the May 25, 2012 Texas Register (pages 7-10 of 85): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0525/0525adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 7.3, 14
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Adopted 05/2012 |
Postsec. |
Amends provisions for Scholarships for Students Graduating in the Top 10 Percent of Their High School Class. From Texas Register:
--§22.197: Provides a better definition for the term "financial need" as used in this sub-chapter.
--§22.198: Lists requirements that must be met by institutions in order to participate or continue to participate in the program and repercussions for failure to do so. The requirements include such things as exercising no discrimination in the identification of award recipients, maintaining a current agreement with the Coordinating Board to abide by the rules and regulations of the program, notifying the Coordinating Board staff and their students if they are placed on probation by their accrediting agency, maintaining adequate records for the disbursement of funds to eligible students, and meeting all program reporting re-quirements in a timely manner. The repercussions for failure to follow program requirements include required refunds to the Coordinating Board of program funds and submission to program reviews.
--§22.199: Clarifies the requirements that stu-dents receiving an initial Top 10 Percent Scholarship award must meet, including: (1) graduation from a public or private high school in Texas while ranked in the top 10 percent of the grad-uating class; (2) submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in time to generate the Central Process-ing System (CPS) results in a non-rejected status or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) to the financial aid office by the deadline set each year by the Coordinating Board; (3) full-time enrollment as of the census date; and (4) registration with Selective Service or being exempt from that registration.
--§22.200: Brings the section title more into alignment with its contents and revises subsection (c) to clarify that each year the Coordinating Board will establish a deadline by which students must submit their FAFSA or TASFA. Also clarifies that this deadline defines two "priority" levels of applicants. The Coordinating Board will process vouchers for students in the first "priority" level and then determine if additional funding is available to process vouchers for students in the second "priority" level. Obsolete language in subsection (c) was removed since high schools are no longer responsible for submitting to the Coordinating Board the names and addresses of potential award recipients. New language was added to indicate all awards are for the fall semester or terms only and that no student may receive more than four awards through the program.
--§22.201: Clarifies how students can qualify for continuation awards, which students can qualify for extensions to the four-year award limit, and the documentation that institutions must keep for students granted an extension. Also explains that completing a bachelor's degree terminates a student's eligibility to receive additional awards.
--§22.202: Clarifies the process by which institutions request funds from the Coordinating Board.
Adopted as published in the February 10, 2012 Texas Register (pages 30-33 of 113): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0210/0210prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 22.197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--At-Risk Schools |
Adopted 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Amends the Teach for Texas Loan Repayment Assistance Program. From Texas Register:
--§21.173: Reverses the order of two priorities of application acceptance. Currently, the rule lists financial need as second among the three established priorities. The amendment would list financial need as a third priority, after severity of shortage of teachers in the community and/or teaching field.
--§21.174: Adds language to clarify that the eligibility requirements must be met during the service period for which the teacher receives repayment assistance.
--§21.176: Authorizes the commissioner of higher education to determine the annual repayment amount, taking into consideration the amount of available funding. Deletes the statement requiring that the annual amount not exceed $5,000 and the aggregate amount not exceed $20,000.
Context from Texas Register: The 82nd Texas Legislature authorized funding for the Teach for Texas Loan Repayment Assistance Program in the amount of $500,000 for each year of the 2012-2013 biennium. This repre-sents a 91 percent decrease in funding compared with the pre-vious four years. This program was oversubscribed before the decrease, with almost 6,000 teachers applying for approximately 1,350 loan repayment awards in FY 2011. The severity of the reduction in funding necessitates both a reduction in the award amount and a greater emphasis on the most critical shortages when renewal applications are ranked for FY 2012 and FY 2013 awards. Adopted as published in the January 20, 2012 Texas Register (pages 22-23 of 33): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0120/0120prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 21.173, 174, 176
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Adopted 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Amends various sections concerning hearings and appeals that address general provisions for hearings before the commissioner of education, specific appeals to the commissioner, hearings of appeals arising under federal law and regulations, and hearings conducted by independent hearing examiners. Clarify requirements for motions requiring a certificate of conference (http://www.txwd.uscourts.gov/faqs/factsview.asp?fID=27) and hearings procedures regarding federal programs, adding procedures regarding subpoenas and depositions, updating federal statutory references, and increasing the total amount of compensation for independent hearing examiners in local employment cases. Adopted as published in the March 23, 2012 Texas Register (pages 4-8 of 89): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0323/0323prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 157.1041, 1055, 1071, 1072, 1081, 1082, 1083, 1084, 1101, 1102,1103
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Adopted 02/2012 |
Postsec. |
Amends eligibility requirements for the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program to clarify that students who have completed the equivalent of four years of ROTC training are eligible, if the institution awards ROTC credit for prior service in any branch of specified units. According to the February 24, 2012 Texas Register (page 50 http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0224/0224adop.pdf), "the amendments align the section with current practices at institutions that award Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) credit to students based on their prior military service. Some students receive four years of ROTC credit without actually completing four years of ROTC training because of prior military service. These students will be allowed to qualify for awards through the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program." Adopted as published in the October 28, 2011 Texas Register (page 15 of 88): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1028/1028prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 21.2244
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Adopted 02/2012 |
Postsec. |
Amends provisions of the Exemption Program for Veterans and their Dependents (The Hazlewood Act). From February 24, 2012 Texas Register (page 50 http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0224/0224adop.pdf): Clarifies that eligible veterans residing out of state solely due to their own (or their spouses') military orders are excluded from the provision that requires veterans to reside in Texas during the semester or term for which the exemption is claimed. Clarifies that these requirements are for veterans who claim the benefit for the first time beginning fall 2011. Indicates that an eligible veteran who wishes to assign his/her unused hours to a child through the Hazlewood Legacy Program must reside in Texas or must prove that he/she is eligible for the exception due to military orders, and provide documentation to prove his/her domicile in Texas. Adopted as published in the October 28, 2011 Texas Register (pages 14-15 of 88): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1028/1028prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 21.2099, 2100, 2102, 2107, 2108
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Undocumented Immigrants |
Adopted 02/2012 |
Postsec. |
Creates new s.21.30, concerning Special Procedures for Documenting Compliance. From Texas Register: "Specifically, the new section addresses concerns that have been expressed about the obligation of institutions towards students who are not U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents, but who have been classified as residents for higher education purposes in accordance with Texas Education Code, §54.052(a)(3). Such students must provide their institutions a signed copy of an affidavit, by which they pledge to apply for permanent resident status as soon as they are able to do so. Current federal legislation makes most of the students ineligible to apply. The new section requires institutions to retain the signed affidavits permanently and to instruct students when they are admitted, annually while they are enrolled, and upon graduation of their obligation to apply for permanent resident status. It also calls for the institutions to refer students to the proper federal agency for instructions on how to apply for such status." Pages 46-47 of 82: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0224/0224adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 21.30
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Assessment--Accommodations |
Adopted 12/2011 |
P-12 |
Repeals and readopts numerous sections concerning the participation of limited English proficient students in state assessments, to reflect changes to the state assessment program beginning with the implementation of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) in the 2011-12 school year. From Texas Register: In the 2011-2012 school year, STAAR will be administered statewide to students in Grades 3-8 and to students first entering Grade 9. §§101.1001, 101.1003, 101.1007, 101.1021, 101.1023, and 101.1025 are adopted as published in the September 30, 2011 Texas Register (pp. 64-67 of 149: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0930/0930prop.pdf). 101.1005 adopted as published in the December 16, 2011 Texas Register (pp. 27-28 of 63: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1216/1216adop.pdf).
New Division 1, Assessments of English Language Proficiency and Academic Content for English Language Learners, includes English language learner (ELL) assessment provisions for the new STAAR program and retains provisions from current rules for the ongoing state-administered English language proficiency assessments, the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS).
New §101.1001, Scope of Rules, defines which students are impacted by the provisions of Division 1.
New §101.1003, English Language Proficiency Assessments, specifies testing requirements for TELPAS. Continues current TELPAS participation provisions for ELLs, including ELLs who receive special education services, and outlines the roles of the language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC) and admission, review and dismissal (ARD) committee in making TELPAS participation and accommodation decisions.
New §101.1005, Assessments of Achievement in Academic Content Areas and Courses, outlines the roles of the LPAC and ARD committees in making ELL participation and accommodation decisions for the STAAR program. Delineates provisions for the participation of ELLs in STAAR assessments in English, STAAR assessments in Spanish, linguistically accommodated English versions of STAAR, and alternative STAAR assessments designed for eligible students who receive special education services. Does not provide for exempting ELLs from STAAR assessments, but ensures that academic performance data are available to evaluate the achievement, progress and needs of all ELL students. New §101.1005(h) specifies that separate policies for including the academic performance of ELLs in state and federal accountability measures will take into account the unique second language acquisition developmental needs of this student population.
New §101.1007, Assessment Provisions for Graduation, makes allowances for eligible ELLs related to the use of English I and II STAAR end-of-course assessment scores in meeting high school graduation requirements. New §101.1007(b) specifies that an ELL enrolled in an English I or II course or an English for Speakers of Other Languages I or II course who meets specific eligibility criteria related to time in U.S. schools and level of English language proficiency is not required to use the score on the applicable English I or II assessment as part of the cumulative score for graduation; have the assessment score count as 15% of the student's final grade in the course; or retake the assessment if the student passes the course but fails to achieve the minimum score on the assessment. The provisions of adopted new §101.1007 acknowledge the unique circumstances of a specific group of second language learners whose engagement with high school English I and II course material, due to their limited time in the U.S., depends on instructional scaffolding and linguistic accommodations and adaptations that cannot be provided during standardized English I and II end-of-course assessment administrations. Specifies that these students will not be permitted exemptions from the English I and II assessments, as participation in these assessments gives them experience and provides information to educators that can be used to guide their instruction and ultimately prepare them for the English III end-of-course assessment. Prevents eligible ELLs from retaking English I and II assessments repeatedly and from the consequences of inappropriately applying standardized test scores to their course grades. During the time these students are taking English I and English II and functioning at the inherent stages of learning a new language, they can be expected to perform unsatisfactorily on standardized tests though they may meet course requirements with appropriately scaffolded and accommodated instruction. For this unique group of students, the provisions in new §101.1007 enable determinations about readiness to graduate from Texas high schools to be based, with regard to the English language arts discipline, on the level of English acquisition and associated language arts knowledge and skills the students demonstrate on the culminating English III assessment.
New Division 2 (§101.1021, .1023, .1025), Grade 10 and Exit-Level Assessments for Certain English Language Learners, addresses the participation of ELLs in the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) tests that remain in effect for high school students who entered Grade 9 prior to the 2011-12 school year. Specifies the ELLs for whom TAKS is the required assessment program and reinstates the applicable provisions from repealed rules. New rules in Division 2 apply only to students for whom TAKS is the graduation requirement and only to the administration of Grade 10 and exit-level TAKS assessments. (No substantive changes were made to provisions retained in new §101.1023, English Language Learners at the Exit Level, and §101.1025, English Language Learners in Grade 10.)
Title: 19 TAC 101.1001, 1003, 1005, 1007, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1021, 1023, 1025
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Adopted 12/2011 |
P-12 |
From Texas Register: Incorporates program changes identified during the statutorily required review of rules conducted in 2010, including updates to provisions relating to performance standards and revocation of grant awards. Also reflects updates to the funding formula. Page 67 of December 23, 2011 Texas Register (http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1223/1223adop.pdf) explains all changes.
Adopted as published in the June 10, 2011 Texas Register (pages 10-16 of 28: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0610/0610prop.pdf).
Title: 19 TAC 89.1501, 1502, 1503, 1504, 1507, 1509, 1511
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Finance--Facilities |
Adopted 12/2011 |
P-12 |
Modifies provisions related to the allotment for new instructional facilities to reflect statutory changes, implement a recent TEA policy decision to allow open-enrollment charter schools to apply for the allotment, amend the application process, and establish in rule a requirement for applicants to complete a survey after receiving funds. Adoped as published in the October 14, 2011 Texas Register (pages 19-22 of 109): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1014/1014prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 61.1034
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
High School--GED (General Education Development) |
Adopted 12/2011 |
P-12 |
Makes various changes to provisions regarding administration of the Texas certificate of high school equivalency, in accordance with 2011 S.B. 1094 (which calls for opportunity for online adminstration), requirements set forth by the American Council on Education and recent board discussion. Specifically, according to the Texas Register:
Subchapter title was changed from "General Educational Development" to "Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency."
Section 89.41, "Policy": Amended to remove references to the GED and the American Council on Education.
Section 89.42, "Official Testing Centers": Amended to remove references to the GED and the American Council on Education, and to change the educational requirements for chief examiners from a master's degree to a bachelor's degree. Also provides clarification about the amount of the fee to cover the costs for test administration.
Section 89.43, "Eligibility for a Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency": Amended to remove references to the GED and the American Council on Education and correct a reference to ChalleNGe Corps.
Section 89.45, "Retesting": Amended to remove the requirement to wait 6 months or present a letter from an adult preparation program or a certified teacher verifying that the individual is prepared to retest.
Section 89.46, Examinees with Disabilities, was amended to remove references to the GED and the ability of examiners to test individuals at home. In addition, language relating to people with disabilities was modified to reflect person first respectful language as required by House Bill 1481, 82nd Texas Legislature, 2011.
Section 89.47, "Issuance of the Certificate": Amended to remove references to the GED and establish in rule a convenience fee of no more than $2.00 to print all certificates online.
Section 89.48, "Online Testing": Rewritten to provide for development and administration of online examinations for persons 18 years of age and older. Also provides for verification of student identity and establishes in rule a $200 fee to cover costs of administering the examinations online and a convenience fee of no more than $2.00 to print certificates online.
Adopted as published in the October 14, 2011 Texas Register (pages 22-25 of 109): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1014/1014prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 89.41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education |
Adopted 11/2011 |
P-12 |
Renames nutrition outreach and education programs and clarifies eligibility requirements for both programs. One program is now "Expanding the 3E's Grant Program" (former "Established Nutrition Education Practices for Public Schools Grant Program"); the other is now "Establishing the 3E's Grant Program" (former "Nutrition Education Grant Program"). §§26.42 -26.45, 26.52, 26.53, and 26.55 are adopted as published in the September 2, 2011 Texas Register (pages 6-7 of 134): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0902/0902prop.pdf. Sections 26.40, 26.41 and 26.51 are adopted as published in the November 25, 2011 Texas Register (pages 1-2 of 94): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1125/1125adop.pdf
Title: 4 TAC 26.40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 51, 52, 53, 55
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability--Student Learning |
Adopted 11/2011 |
Postsec. |
From Texas Register: Updates and changes the requirements for the statewide, fully transferable, undergraduate general education core curriculum. Sections 4.28 and 4.35 adopted as published in the November 25, 2011 Texas Register (pp. 28-30 of 94: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1125/1125adop.pdf). Sections 4.23, 4.25 and 4.29-4.31 adopted as published in the August 26, 2011 Texas Register (pp. 34-38 of 63: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0826/0826prop.pdf). Specifically:
Section 4.23: Modifies definitions to accord with the proposed core curriculum and deletes a definition of "compliant with the Texas Common Course Numbering System".
Section 4.25: No substantive changes
Section 4.28, the section that lays out the fully transferable Texas Core Curriculum: Amended to reflect the recommendations of the Undergraduate Education Advisory Committee (UEAC), which was asked to study and make recommendations to improve the existing statewide core curriculum, which had not been modified since 1997. The new core curriculum puts in place a Purpose Statement, Core Objectives, and Foundational Component Areas with descriptions and semester credit hour requirements, as required in Texas Education Code §61.822. The amendments bring the Texas Core Curriculum into better alignment with current best practices across the U.S.. These changes are intended to improve consistency in transfer practices and to improve opportunities for students to increase their learning through the acquisition of knowledge and skills they will need for work and life. Related provisions in this section are amended to reflect additional recommendations pertaining to implementation of the revised Texas Core Curriculum.
Section 4.29: Deletes the option of institutions requesting a core curriculum of more than 42 semester credit hours (SCH).
Section 4.30: Revises provisions pertaining to the assessment and reporting of core curriculum objectives, as required in Texas Education Code §61.824, to reflect changes in terminology and organization of the Texas Core Curriculum reflected in the amendments to §4.28 and implements recommendations from the UEAC.
Section 4.31: Adds the proposed core curriculum implementation process and revises existing rules relating to institutional revisions of previously approved core curricula. Institutions would be limited to submitting changes to the institutional core curriculum once per academic year. New policy allows for better efficiency in implementing requirements, including the timely publication of all the courses approved for use in the core curriculum in any academic year. Updates subsection on procedure in handling institutional requests to reflect current electronic submission practices.
Section 4.35: Amends the language relating to the use of the Texas Common Course Numbering System to identify the system by name rather than by acronym the firsttimeitis cited.
Title: 19 TAC 4.23, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 35
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Adopted 11/2011 |
Postsec. |
From Texas Register: Requires institutions of higher education to submit requests to the higher education coordinating board for revisions to programs already on their approved program inventories. In particular, provides that revisions that result in a reduction in the number of overall semester credit hours required for the degree are automatically approved, while revisions that result in an increase in the overall semester credit hours required for the degree must be reviewed and approved by board staff. Provides that revisions to program curricula that do not change the overall number of required semester credit hours do not require board approval or notification. Page 33 of 94: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1125/1125adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 5.55
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Online Instruction |
Adopted 11/2011 |
Postsec. |
Clarifies the process by which out-of-state institutions receive approval for offering distance education in Texas. Sets out state approval requirements for distance education in response to the new federal program integrity regulations which go into effect July 1, 2011 (i.e., 34 C.F.R. s.600.9(c)). Adopted as published in the August 19, 2011 Texas Register (pages 22-23 of 44): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0819/0819prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 7.14
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation |
Adopted 11/2011 |
Postsec. |
Revises the requirements for submitting requests for courses to be added to the Lower Division Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM) and for submitting "unique need" requests. (Context from November 25, 2011 Texas Register: Texas public two-year institutions may develop "unique need" courses specifically for use at their institution. A unique need academic course must meet a specific lower-division requirement of a baccalaureate degree program that cannot be met by an existing course in the ACGM. If a unique need course is found to have regional or statewide use in degree programs, two-year institutions may request that the course be added to the ACGM, which would allow every public two-year institution to offer the course and receive state reimbursement for the contact hours. Courses may also be deleted from the ACGM if those courses have become obsolete or are no longer used by a majority of institutions.) Adopted as published in the July 29, 2011 Texas Register (pages 9-11 of 33): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0729/0729prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 9.73, 74, 77
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Finance--Resource Efficiency |
Adopted 10/2011 |
P-12 |
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) proposes an amendment to s.109.1002, concerning the financial accountability rating system. The section establishes indicators applicable to school district financial accountability ratings. The proposed amendment would update the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (School FIRST) by specifying new provisions for implementation beginning with data from fiscal year 2010-2011, including the deletion of one non-critical school district indicator and the deletion of two non-critical open-enrollment charter school indicators, along with new rating worksheets and calculations that reflect these changes. The proposed amendment to the rating system would provide relief from the recommended financial reserves due to current economic conditions and changes in state funding. Pages 3-8 of 32: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1014/1014adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 109.1002
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals |
Adopted 09/2011 |
P-12 |
Amends the Educational Aide Exemption Program to provide higher education coordinating board staff flexibility in awarding funds through the program if funding is limited. House Bill 3708, passed by the 82nd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, repealed language that authorized the use of transfers of Foundation Program funds by the Texas Education Agency to the Coordinating Board for reimbursing institutions for exemptions made through the program. This left gifts and donations as the only sources of funds for the program. It is anticipated that such funding will be limited, and therefore new wording in s.21.1084 creates a competitive, first come/first served approach for awarding those funds that become available. Only the process of identifying recipients is changed; student eligibility requirements and the value of the awards ar Adopted as published in the June 24, 2011 Texas Register (pages 25-26 of 160): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0624/0624prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 21.1084, 1086
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Institutions |
Issued 08/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Expresses the state's commitment to Western Governors University (WGU) and its establishment of WGU Texas. Directs all agencies and officials to work with WGU toward the establishment of WGU Texas as a nonprofit institution of higher education to provide access to online, competency-based degree programs. Directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to recognize, endorse and support online, competency-based education as an important component of the state's higher education system; to work to eliminate any unnecessary barriers to WGU Texas' delivery of such education programs; and to work with WGU Texas to integrate its academic programs and services into the state's higher education policy and strategy. Directs the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to explore, consider and implement appropriate and effective methods to promote online competency-based education opportunities like those that WGU Texas will provide to dislocated workers, veterans and other Texans in need of postsecondary degrees. Directs the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to explore, consider and implement appropriate and effective methods to promote and partner with WGU Texas to expand the supply of science, technology, engineering and math related teachers in Texas. Directs THECB, TWC, TEA and all other pertinent agencies to create appropriate data-sharing processes, as may be required by state or federal guidelines for higher education providers, to assess WGU Texas' performance and determine the extent to which it helps the state achieve the goals of its higher education system. Directs WGU Texas to establish an advisory board whose members shall be appointed in consultation with the governor. http://governor.state.tx.us/news/executive-order/16466/
Title: Executive Order RP75
Source: governor.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Measures/Indicators |
Adopted 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Adopts excerpted sections of the Performance-Based Monitoring Analysis System (PBMAS) 2011 Manual. From Texas Register: The 2011 PBMAS includes several key changes from the 2010 system. The phase-in of TAKS-Modified and TAKS-Alternate performance results is reflected in the 2011 PBMAS TAKS passing rate indicators as appropriate. Cut-point adjustments have been made for the first time to all annual dropout rate indicators. Required Improvement has been added to all graduation rate indicators. New standards and cut-points are being proposed for several PBMAS indicators, including the 3-5 Year Olds
Less Restrictive Environments (LRE) Placement Rate, the 6-11 Year Olds LRE Placement Rate, the 12-21 Year Olds LRE Placement Rate, the Special Education Discretionary Discipline Alternative Education Program (DAEP) Placements, the Special Education Discretionary Placements to In-School Suspension (ISS), and the Special Education Discretionary Placements to Out-of-School Suspension (OSS). The No Child Left Behind, Title I, Part A Recommended High School Program (RHSP)/Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) Diploma Rate indicator is moving from a "Report Only" indicator to an indicator with performance level assignments.
The "hold harmless" provision that was added in the 2010 PBMAS to two subject-area indicators in both the Career and Technical Education and the Special Education program areas has been removed. The Special Education African American Representation and Hispanic Representation indicators have been modified based on consideration of the new federal race/ethnicity categories in relation to the intent of those indicators. Changes to the PBMAS indicators for 2011 are marked in the manual as "New!" for easy reference. Also modifies subsection (d) to specify that the PBMAS Manual adopted for the school years prior to 2011-12 will remain in effect with respect to those school years. Establishes in rule the PBMAS procedures for assigning the 2011 PBMAS performance levels. Applicable procedures will be adopted each year as annual versions of the PBMAS Manual are published. Adopted as published in the May 27, 2011 Texas Register (pages 11-12 of 93): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0527/0527prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 97.1005
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Measures/Indicators |
Adopted 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Adopts the 2011 Accountability Manual. Provides earlier versions of the manual will remain in effect with respect to the school years for which they were developed. According to the July 22, 2011 Texas Register, "In 2011, campuses and districts will be evaluated using five base indicators: Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) results, commended performance, the English Language Learners (ELL) progress indicator, completion rates, and annual dropout rates. In 2011, the GPA [Gold Performance Acknowledgment] system will award acknowledgment on up to 15 separate indicators to districts and campuses rated Academically Acceptable, AEA Academically Acceptable, or higher: Attendance Rate for Grades 1-12; Advanced Course/Dual Enrollment Completion; Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate Results; College Admissions Test Results; Commended Performance on Reading/English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Writing, Science and/or Social Studies; Recommended High School Program/Distinguished Achievement Program Participation; Comparable Improvement on Reading/ELA and Mathematics; Texas Success Initiative -Higher Education Readiness Component on ELA and/or Mathematics; and College-Ready Graduates. Adopted as published in July 22, 2011 Texas Register (pages 7-8 of 31): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0722/0722adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 97.1001
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the state education agency to use a competitive procurement process to award a contract to a service provider of an adult education program. Directs the agency, not later than August 31, 2012, to adopt rules to provide for a competitive procurement process to award contracts to service providers of adult education programs.
Pages 177-178 of 263: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00001F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
From bill summary: Limits a school district's required annual physical fitness assessment of students in grade three or higher to students enrolled in a course that satisfies the curriculum requirements for physical education.
Bill text (page 15 of 19): http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Bill summary: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillSummary.aspx?LegSess=821&Bill=SB8
Title: S.B. 8 - Physical Fitness Assessment
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Amends methods of determining funding levels for an open-enrollment charter school.
Pages 138-139 of 263: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00001F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1 - Charter School Finance
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a district board of trustees to implement a furlough program and reduce the number of days of service otherwise required by law by not more than 6 days of service during a school year if the commissioner certifies that the district will be provided with less state and local funding for that year than was provided to the district for the 2010-2011 school year. Authorizes the board of trustees to reduce the salary of a furloughed employee in proportion to the number of days by which service is reduced. Sets out conditions and restrictions applicable to a furlough program, including among other provisions that (1) a furlough program must subject all contract personnel to the same number of furlough days, (2) an educator may not use personal, sick or any other paid leave while on furlough, and (3) implementation of a furlough program may not result in an increase in the number of required teacher workdays. Establishes the required process for the development of a furlough program or other salary reduction proposal. In developing a furlough program, requires a district to use a process that includes the involvement of the district's professional staff, and provides employees with the opportunity to express opinions on the furlough program or salary reduction proposal at a public meeting. Pages 12-14 of 19: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 8 - District Furloughs
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
From bill summary: Authorizes a school district board of trustees to adopt a resolution declaring a financial exigency for the district, limited to the fiscal year during which the declaration is made unless the board adopts a resolution declaring a continuation of the exigency for the following year. The bill requires the board to notify the commissioner each time the board adopts a resolution and requires the commissioner by rule to prescribe the time and manner in which notice must be given and to adopt minimum standards concerning school district financial conditions that must exist for declaration of a financial exigency.
Bill text (pages 16-17): http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Bill summary: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillSummary.aspx?LegSess=821&Bill=SB8
Title: S.B. 8 - District Financial Exigency
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the establishment of a joint legislative interim committee to conduct a comprehensive study of the public school finance system. Directs the committee to make recommendations to the legislature no later than January 15, 2013, regarding changes to the public school finance system. Dissolves the committee September 1, 2013.
Page 166 of 263: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00001F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1 - School Finance System Study
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
From bill summary: Requires the commissioner, not later than July 1 of each year, to determine for each school district whether the estimated amount of state and local funding per student in weighted average daily attendance to be provided to the district under the Foundation School Program for maintenance and operations for the following school year is less than the amount provided to the district for the 2010-2011 school year and, if the amount is less, to certify the percentage decrease in funding.
Bill text (pages 15-16): http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Bill summary: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillSummary.aspx?LegSess=821&Bill=SB8
Title: S.B. 8 - Certifying Decreases in State and Local Funding
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends various provisions regarding the disposal of state surplus or salvage property. Requires a state agency that determines it has surplus or salvage property to inform the Texas Facilities Commission so that the method of disposal of the property may be determined. Permits the commission to contract with a private vendor to assist in sale of the property. Provides that if surplus or salvage data processing equipment (http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/GV/htm/GV.2054.htm) of a state agency, state eleemosynary (charitable) institution or an institution or agency of higher education is not disposed of according to specified statutory provisions, the state agency must transfer the equipment to a district or open-enrollment charter school, an assistance organization specified by the district, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Prohibits the state eleemosynary institution or institution or agency of higher education or other state agency from collecting a fee or other reimbursement from the district, school, assistance organization, or department of criminal justice for the surplus or salvage data processing equipment. Provides that if a state agency is abolished, the commission must take custody of all of the agency's property or other assets unless other law or the legislature designates another appropriate governmental entity to take custody of the property or assets.
Pages 75-82 of 263: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00001F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Leadership--District Superintendent |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
On the basis of a declared financial exigency that requires a reduction in personnel, authorizes a district board of trustees to amend the terms of the contract of a superintendent employed under a term contract. Permits a superintendent whose contract is so amended to resign without penalty by providing reasonable notice to the board and to continue employment for that notice period under the prior contract.
Page 9 of 19: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 8 - Superintendent Contracts in Districts Undergoing Reduction in Force
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Leadership--District Superintendent--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Provides that for any school year in which a district has reduced the amount of the annual salaries paid to district classroom teachers from the amount paid for the preceding school year due to district financial conditions and not teacher performance, the district must reduce the amount of the annual salary paid to each district administrator or other professional employee by a percent or fraction of a percent that is equal to the average percent or fraction of a percent by which teacher salaries have been reduced. Pages 14-15: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 8 - Reduction in Teacher and Administrator Salaries
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Permits a student to enroll in a course provided through the state virtual school network if the student is either under 21 or under 26 and entitled to the benefits of the Foundation School Program under Section 42.003. Directs each district or open-enrollment charter school to adopt a policy providing students with the opportunity to enroll in courses provided through the state virtual school network; requires such policy to be consistent with statutory requirements. Requires a determination of whether an electronic course will meet the needs of a student with a disability to be made by the student's admission, review, and dismissal committee in accordance with state and federal law. Requires the administering authority of the state virtual school network to provide students who have completed or withdrawn from a course (and students' parents) a mechanism to provide comments regarding the course. Requires the administering authority to provide public access to student and parent comments, and for comments to be able to be sorted by teacher, electronic course, and provider district or school. Provides that if the essential knowledge and skills with which a state virtual school network course is aligned are modified, the provider district or school must have the same time period to align the course as is provided for the modification of a course provided in a traditional classroom setting. Existing law requires the administering authority to establish a schedule for an annual submission and approval process for electronic courses, and evaluate electronic courses to be offered through the state virtual school network. New provision (1) requires the administering authority to publish such schedule, including any deadlines, and any guidelines applicable to the submission and approval process, and (2) requires the evaluation to include review of each electronic course component, including off-line material proposed to be used in the course. Directs the state education agency to establish and publish a fee schedule for the cost of evaluating and approving electronic courses submitted by a district, open-enrollment charter school, or public or private institution of higher education, if the agency determines a shortage of funds for that purpose.
Provides a district or open-enrollment charter school is entitled to funding for a student's enrollment in a course offered through the state virtual school network in the same manner the district or charter school is entitled to funding for the student's enrollment in courses provided in a traditional classroom setting, provided the student successfully completes the electronic course. Directs the commissioner to adopt a standard agreement to govern payments relating to a student's enrollment in an electronic course offered through the state virtual school network. Provides exceptions to when a district or open-enrollment charter school must use the standard agreement. Repeals Section 42.159, Education Code. Pages 178-184 of 263: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00001F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
P-3 Child Care |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Repeals a provision that required districts with a student membership above 5,000 and that does not provide child care (directly or by contract) for the district's school-age students to annually consider, during at least two public hearings, the need for and availability of child care before, after, or both before and after the school day and during school holidays and vacations for the district's school-age students. Repeals provision directing the Work and Family Policies Clearinghouse in the Texas Workforce Commission to distribute to each district with at least 5,000 students information describing model prekindergarten and school-age child care programs and explaining how a district may obtain funds through the federal Dependent Care Development Grant program or other grant programs. Repeals provision directing districts to distribute the information received from the clearinghouse to the public at a hearing. Page 17 of 19: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 8 - Repealing Child Care Provision
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
Postsec. |
Reduces the membership of the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation's board from 11 to 9 members. Makes all members gubernatorial apointees (with senate approval) (previously 10 of the 11 members were appointed by governor); directs governor to designate the board chair (board chair previously elected by board). Reduces from 5 to 4 the members who must have knowledge of or experience in finance, including management of funds or business operations. Clarifies that four postsecondary faculty or administrative representatives must be from institutions considered eligible institutions under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Pages 129-130 of 263: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00001F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
From bill summary: Authorizes a district to require a person who requests public information provided by the district to pay the estimated charges for the request before the request is fulfilled. Page 17 of 19: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 8 - Public Information Requests
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a board of trustees, under certain circumstances, to require payment of a reasonable fee for student transportation to and from school. Page 138 of 263: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00001F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1 - Student Transportation Fee
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Special Populations--Corrections Education |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires that a district located in a county with a population of 125,000 or less provide educational services to a student who is expelled from school. Permits the district to count the student in its average daily membership. Defines what may be considered an educational placement under these provisions, including among others a contracted placement with an institution of higher education, an adult literacy council, or a community organization that can provide an educational program that allows the student to complete the credits required for high school graduation. Provides that an educational placement other than a district's disciplinary alternative education program is subject to the educational and certification requirements applicable to an open-enrollment charter school. From bill summary: exempts a county that meets certain criteria, including having a juvenile justice alternative education program (JJAEP) serving fewer than 15 students, from certain JJAEP requirements.
Bill text: pages 223-224 of 263: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00001F.pdf#navpanes=0
Bill summary (see article 70): http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillSummary.aspx?LegSess=821&Bill=SB1
Title: S.B. 1
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
STEM |
Adopted 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Establishes the requirements necessary for a school to be designated as a T-STEM Academy. Adopted as published in the May 6 Texas Register (pages 5-6 of 16): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0506/0506prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 102.1093
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Repeals provision requiring each charter holder to increase the monthly salary of each classroom teacher, full-time speech pathologist, full-time librarian, full-time counselor, and full-time school nurse employed by the charter holder at an open-enrollment charter school by the greater of either of two amounts. Repeals provision entitling a certified classroom teacher, full-time speech pathologist, full-time librarian, full-time counselor certified, or full-time school nurse employed by a district in the 2010-11 school year, as long as the employee is employed by the same district, to a salary that is at least equal to the salary the employee received for the 2010-11 school year. Page 17 of 19: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 8 - Salary Increases for Certain Professional Staff
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs commissioner of education to annually determine the basic allotment and resulting monthly salaries to be paid by districts. Removes provision that each district must increase the monthly salary of each classroom teacher, full-time speech pathologist, full-time librarian, and full-time counselor; replaces with provision directing districts to pay a monthly salary at least equal to a state-set schedule. By January 1, 2013, directs the commissioner of education to submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and legislative leaders a report that evaluates and provides recommendations regarding the salary schedule. Effective September 1, 2017, adds provision that if the minimum monthly salary set forth in statute for a particular level of experience is less than the minimum monthly salary for that level of experience in the preceding year, the minimum monthly salary is the minimum monthly salary for the preceding year.
Pages 141-144 of 263: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00001F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1 - Salary Schedules
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Amends provisions granting tuition waivers for educational aides. Requires that the courses needed for teacher certification in which the aide is enrolled be in one or more subject areas determined by the Texas
Education Agency to be experiencing a critical shortage of teachers in public schools in the state. Provides that an aide previously receiving a tuition exemption remains eligible notwithstanding this requirement if the aide is enrolled at an institution of higher education granting the exemption in courses required for teacher certification, and meets all other eligibility requirements. Provides these changes go into effect with the fall 2012 semester. Pages 125-127 of 263: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00001F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Preparation |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
From bill summary: Requires a candidate for certification as a teacher of record, before a district may employ the candidate, to complete at least 15 hours of field-based experience in which the candidate is actively engaged in instructional or educational activities under supervision at a public school campus or private school accredited, recognized, or approved, as applicable, for this purpose by the Texas Education Agency. Makes this requirement applicable only to an initial certification issued on or after September 1, 2012. Requires the state board for educator certification (SBEC) to propose rules relating to field-based experience requirements. Requires the commissioner by rule to adopt procedures and standards for recognizing a private school.
Bill text (pages 2-4): http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Bill summary: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillSummary.aspx?LegSess=821&Bill=SB8
Title: S.B. 8 - Teacher Candidates and Field-Based Experience
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Reduction in Force |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Repeals provision requiring reduction in force to be made in the reverse order of seniority. Replaces with provision that reductions in force must be made primarily based on teacher appraisals and other criteria as determined by the board. Pages 5-6 of 19: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 8 - Reduction in Force
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Reduction in Force |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
From bill summary: Changes the deadline by which a district board of trustees is required to notify a teacher employed under a probationary contract and a teacher whose contract is about to expire of its decision to terminate the teacher's employment at the end of the contract period or of its intent to renew or not renew the expiring contract, and sets out requirements for delivery of such notice. Entitles a teacher employed under a probationary contract or a continuing contract to a hearing before a hearing examiner if the teacher is protesting a proposed discharge or suspension without pay and to a hearing either before the board of trustees in the manner provided for a hearing on the nonrenewal of a term contract or before a hearing examiner, as determined by the board, if the teacher is protesting proposed action to terminate the contract before the end of the contract period on the basis of a financial exigency declared by the board that requires a reduction in personnel.
Bill summary: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillSummary.aspx?LegSess=821&Bill=SB8
Bill text: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 8 - Termination/Nonrenewal of Teacher Contracts
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
From bill summary: Revises and expand the grounds for rendering a district employee's probationary, continuing or term contract void on the basis of a failure to meet certain requirements relating to the employee's certification and revises a district's authority to terminate an employee whose contract is void, suspend the employee with or without pay, or retain the employee for the remainder of the school year on an at-will basis. Prohibits a district from terminating or suspending an employee whose contract is void because of the employee's failure to renew or extend the employee's certificate or permit if the employee requests an extension from the state board for educator certification (SBEC) to renew, extend or otherwise validate the certificate or permit and, not later than the 10th day after the date the contract is void, takes necessary measures to renew, extend, or otherwise validate that certificate or permit, as determined by SBEC.
Changes the deadline by which a district board of trustees is required to notify a teacher employed under a probationary contract and a teacher whose contract is about to expire of its decision to terminate the teacher's employment at the end of the contract period or of its intent to renew or not renew the expiring contract, and sets out requirements for delivery of such notice. Entitles a teacher employed under a probationary or continuing contract to a hearing before a hearing examiner if the teacher is protesting a proposed discharge or suspension without pay and to a hearing either before the board of trustees in the manner provided for a hearing on the nonrenewal of a term contract or before a hearing examiner, as determined by the board, if the teacher is protesting proposed action to terminate the contract before the end of the contract period on the basis of a financial exigency declared by the board that requires a reduction in personnel.
Authorizes the board of trustees of a district with an enrollment of at least 5,000 students to designate a licensed attorney who is neither employed by nor affiliated with the district to hold a hearing on a proposed nonrenewal of a teacher's term contract on the board's behalf, to create a hearing record for the board's consideration and action, and to recommend an action to the board. The bill requires the board to consider the record and recommendation at the first board meeting for which notice can be posted following the receipt of the record and recommendation, unless the parties agree in writing to a different date.
Bill text: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Bill summary: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillSummary.aspx?LegSess=821&Bill=SB8
Title: S.B. 8 - Voiding and Nonrenewal of Staff Contracts
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
From bill summary: Revises and expands the grounds for rendering a district employee's probationary, continuing or term contract void on the basis of a failure to meet certain requirements relating to the employee's certification and revises a district's authority to terminate an employee whose contract is void, suspend the employee with or without pay, or retain the employee for the remainder of the school year on an at-will basis. Prohibits a district from terminating or suspending an employee whose contract is void because of the employee's failure to renew or extend the employee's certificate or permit if the employee requests an extension from the state board for educator certification (SBEC) to renew, extend or otherwise validate the certificate or permit and, not later than the 10th day after the date the contract is void, takes necessary measures to renew, extend or otherwise validate that certificate or permit, as determined by SBEC.
Bill summary: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillSummary.aspx?LegSess=821&Bill=SB8
Bill text: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 8 - Employees with Void Contracts
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
From bill summary: Authorizes the board of trustees of a district with an enrollment of at least 5,000 students to designate a licensed attorney who is neither employed by nor affiliated with the district to hold a hearing on a proposed nonrenewal of a teacher's term contract on the board's behalf, to create a hearing record for the board's consideration and action, and to recommend an action to the board. Requires the board to consider the record and recommendation at the first board meeting for which notice can be posted following the receipt of the record and recommendation, unless the parties agree in writing to a different date.
Bill text (pages 7-9 of 19): http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf#navpanes=0
Bill summary: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillSummary.aspx?LegSess=821&Bill=SB8
Title: S.B. 8 - Hearing on Proposed Nonrenewal of Teacher Contract
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Rewards |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Specifies that an open-enrollment charter school may not be awarded a distinction designation if the charter school is evaluated under alternative education accountability procedures adopted by the commissioner. Specifies that for purposes of the subchapter of chapter 39 of the education code related to distinction designations, a district includes an open-enrollment charter school that operates on more than one campus, and a campus includes an open-enrollment charter school campus. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01484F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1484
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Provides that if the commissioner is presented with a written petition signed by the parents of a majority of the students enrolled at a campus that has an "unacceptable" performance rating for three consecutive school years after the campus is reconstituted, and the petition specifies that the parents request either the repurposing of the campus, alternative management of the campus, or campus closure, the commissioner must order the specific action requested. However, if the board of trustees of the district present a written request that the commissioner order a specific action other than that requested in the parents' petition and a written explanation of the basis for the board's request, the commissioner may order the action requested by the board of trustees. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00738F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 738
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Directs the Texas Education Agency, in consultation with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, to (1) review the standardized assessment mechanism for assessing all adult education program participants who need literacy instruction, adult basic education (ABE), or secondary education leading to an adult high school diploma or the equivalent and (2) recommend any changes necessary to align the assessment with college placement exams, to allow for a student's proper placement in an ABE course or to provide the student with the proper developmental or English as a second language coursework, as appropriate. Pages 2-3 of 8: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB03468F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 3468 - Placement in Adult Education Programs
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Specifies that state policy does not require a 5th or 8th grader to be administered a criterion-referenced assessment if the student is enrolled in a course above the student's grade level and will be administered an assessment for that course, or is enrolled in a course for which the student will receive high school credit and will be administered an end-of-course assessment for the course. Provides a 5th or 8th grader who did not take a grade-level assessment for the aforementioned purposes may not be denied promotion based on failure to perform on an assessment the student is not required to take. Adds provision that nothing prohibits the administration of an end-of-course assessment to a student below the high school level who is enrolled in the course for which the assessment instrument is adopted. Requires that, in aggregating assessment results across grade levels by subject, the results of students below the high school level taking end-of-course assessments be included with results relating to other students enrolled at the same grade level. Permits the commissioner of education to award a distinction designation to a campus with significant numbers of students below grade 9 who perform satisfactorily on end-of-course assessments. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02135F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2135
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the Texas Education Agency, in consultation with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, to conduct a study of best practices for and existing programs offering early assessments of high school students to determine college readiness, identify any deficiencies in college readiness, and provide intervention to address any deficiencies before high school graduation. In conducting the study, requires the agency to review various assessments, including (1) the state's end-of-course assessments, each assessment used as a placement exam in public postsecondary institutions, and any assessment being proposed as a statewide model by the coordinating board; (2) various early intervention models; (3) the costs associated with different assessments and early intervention models; and (4) the effectiveness of different assessments and early intervention models in preparing students for credit-bearing college coursework. Directs the agency, by December 2012, to submit a report with recommendations for promoting and implementing early assessments of college readiness that are of a diagnostic nature and early intervention models for preparing high school students for credit-bearing college coursework. Pages 1-2 of 8: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB03468F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 3468 - College Readiness
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Assessment--End-of-Course |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Community College |
Specifies this applies to (1) a public junior college in a county with a population of 750,000 or more, and with less than 65% of the population 25 years and older having graduated from high school, according to the
most recent American Community Survey 5-year estimates compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau, and (2) a district with a dropout rate above 15%. Provides the application of these provisions is not affected if after the public junior college begins providing a dropout recovery program, the county's demographics change and no longer meet the aforementioned requirements. Provides that beginning September 2012, a public junior college may enter into a partnership with one or more districts in the public junior college district to provide a dropout recovery program on the public junior college campus, allowing students to receive a diploma from a high school of the partnering school district. Provides an eligible participant must be under 26 years old, and either need to complete not more than three course credits for high school graduation, or have failed to perform satisfactorily on an end-of-course assessment or the predecessor assessment as it existed before the 2007 legislature (TAKS). Requires the public junior college to (1) design a dropout recovery curriculum that includes career and technology education courses that lead to industry or career certification; (2) integrate into the curriculum specified research-based strategies to help students become academically able to pursue postsecondary education; (3) offer advanced academic and transition opportunities, including dual credit courses and college preparatory courses, such as advanced placement courses; and (4) coordinate with each partnering district that the district retains accountability for student attendance, student completion of high school course requirements, and student performance on assessment instruments as necessary for the student to receive a diploma from a high school of the partnering school district. Permits a public junior college to receive from each partnering district for each student an amount to be negotiated between the junior college district and that partnering district and that may not exceed a specified amount. Provides a participating student is included in the participating district's average daily attendance. Provides for other funding that the public junior college is eligible to receive. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00975F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 975
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Provides that this applies to a public junior college in a county with a population of 750,000 or more and with less than 65% of the population 25 years and older having graduated from high school, and to a school district with a dropout rate over 15% based on four-year high school completion rates. Permits a public junior college to enter into an agreement with one or more districts in the public junior college district to provide a dropout recovery program on the junior college campus. Provides the program is for persons under age 26 who meet certain criteria. Requires the dropout recovery curriculum to (1) include career and technology education courses that lead to industry or career certification; (2) include research-based strategies to assist students in becoming able academically to pursue postsecondary education, including specified approaches; (3) offer advanced academic and transition opportunities, including dual credit courses and college preparatory courses, such as advanced placement courses; and (4) coordinate with partnering districts to provide that districts retain accountability for attendance and other requirements. Requires such dropout recovery programs to comply with certain provisions applicable to other dropout recovery programs. Permits a public junior college to receive from a partnering school district for each student a negotiated amount up to total average per student funding amount in that district during the preceding school year for maintenance and operations. Provides a participating student is included in determining the district's average daily attendance. Permits a public junior college to receive dropout prevention and intervention program funds appropriated to the Texas Education Agency.
Bill text (pages 1-2): http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB03708F.pdf#navpanes=0
Fiscal analysis: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/fiscalnotes/pdf/HB03708F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 3708 - Dropout Recovery
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires a student who receives deferred prosecution for, is found by a court or jury to have engaged in, or a superintendent or designee has a reasonable belief that a student has engaged in aggravated robbery to be removed from class and placed in a disciplinary alternative education program. Permits a student to be placed in a disciplinary alternative education program if the superintendent or designee has a reasonable belief that the student has engaged in aggravated robbery. Permits a district to expel a student who has received deferred prosecution for or has been found by a court or jury to have engaged in, has been arrested for or charged with, has been referred to a juvenile court for allegedly engaging in, or has received probation or deferred adjudication for aggravated robbery. Clarifies provision allowing expulsion of a student in a disciplinary alternative education program. Specifies that misconduct must be documented and while on the program campus despite documented behavioral interventions. Defines "serious misbehavior" for purposes of this provision.
Provides that each school district in a county with a population over 125,000 and the county juvenile board must annually enter into a joint memorandum of understanding that a student may be placed in the juvenile justice alternative education program if the student engages in serious misbehavior, as defined in statute.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00968F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 968
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires a district to provide the parents of a student removed to a disciplinary alternative education program with written notice of the district's obligation to provide the student with an opportunity to complete
coursework required for graduation. Requires the notice to include information on all methods available for completing the coursework, and state that the methods are available at no cost to the student. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00049F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 49
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Notifying the U.S. Department of Education that certain career schools or colleges are legally authorized by the state of Texas to operate educational programs beyond secondary education. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HC00129F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.C.R. 129
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Clarifies that the state meets U.S. Department of Education requirements concerning federal student aid by naming private institutions of higher education in the state that are authorized to operate educational programs beyond secondary education, including programs leading to a degree or certificate. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HJ00130F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.J.R. 130
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the education agency to establish procedures for each school district and open-enrollment charter school to accurately identify students who are enrolled in a tech-prep program, and report the accurate number of tech-prep program students to the agency and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Amends procedures for board evaluations of each tech prep consortium. Specifies that each evaluation must include an assessment of the consortium's performance during the past year compared to the goals and objectives stated in the five-year plan in the consortium's grant application to the board, as well as an identification of any concerns the board has regarding the consortium's performance, and recommendations for improvement by the consortium in the next year. Requires each tech-prep consortium to be evaluated annually (previously, evaluations required every other year). Requires that at least once every four years, or more frequently as provided by board rule, the annual evaluation must be conducted on-site. Specifies that evaluations be provided in writing; changes date by which evaluations must be annually provided from October to November. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01410F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1410
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Defines an "applied STEM course" as a STEM course offered as part of a school district's career and technology education curriculum. Directs the state board to establish a process for the review and approval of applied STEM courses to satisfy the math and science requirements for the recommended high school program, to be substituted for a specific math or science course otherwise required under the recommended high school program and completed during the student's 4th year of math or science coursework. Authorizes the state board to approve only those substitution math courses taken after successful completion of Algebra I and geometry and to be taken after or concurrently with Algebra II. Authorizes the state board to approve only thsoe substitution science courses taken after successful completion of biology and chemistry and to be taken after or concurrently with physics. Identifies additional criteria an applied STEM course must meet, including that: the course is created by a recognized national or international business and
industry group to prepare a student for a national or international business and industry certification or license; the course qualifies as a dual credit course or an articulated postsecondary course; the standards are equivalent to those covered in the course for which the applied STEM course will substitute; and the course incorporates college and career readiness skills. Adds new provision directing the higher education coordinating board to ensure that credit for an applied STEM course may be applied to relevant degree programs offered by institutions of higher education.
Directs the state board for educator certification to specify that to obtain a certificate to teach an "applied STEM course" at a secondary school, the candidate must pass the certification test administered by the recognized national or international business and industry group that created the curriculum the applied STEM course is based on, and have at least an associate's degree and 3 years work experience in an occupation the applied STEM course is intended to prepare students for. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01620F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1620
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Permits open-enrollment charter school staff to participate in the Texas Facilities Commission's contract for travel services.
Bill text: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01550F.pdf#navpanes=0
Bill analysis: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/analysis/pdf/HB01550E.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1550
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Authorizes an open-enrollment charter school operated by a municipality to give a preference in admissions to children of employees of the municipality. Clarifies that an open-enrollment charter school operated by a municipality is considered a work-site open-enrollment charter school for purposes of federal regulations regarding admissions policies that apply to open-enrollment charter schools receiving federal funding. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02366F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2366
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Clarifies that the confidentiality of documents evaluating teacher or administrator performance applies to teachers and administrators at open-enrollment charter schools, regardless of whether the teacher or administrator is certified. Provides that at the request of a school district or open-enrollment charter school at which a teacher or administrator has applied for employment, an open-enrollment charter school may give the requesting district or school a document evaluating the performance of a teacher or administrator employed by the school. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02971F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2971
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Drivers Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the Sunset Advisory Commission to review the education agency's jurisdiction and control over driver education and driving safety schools, and to report to the legislature and governor whether another state
agency should have jurisdiction and control over driver education and driving safety schools. Amends processes for the provision of driver education certificates. Requires that drivers education instructors undergo a national criminal background check, and pay a fee for the review. Requires that information collected to perform the criminal background check be kept confidential; provides exceptions. Requires that a drivers education school discharge or refuse to hire an individual if the criminal background check indicates the individual has been (a) convicted of (1) a felony, (2) an offense that requires the individual to register as a sex offender, or (3) an offense equivalent to (1) or (2), and (b) the victim of (1), (2), or (3) was under the age of 18 or enrolled in a public school at the time of the offense. Also requires the individual's driver education instructor license to be suspended or revoked if s/he is found to have been convicted of any of the aforementioned offenses. Provides exceptions. Permits a driver education school to discharge an instructor if the school obtains information that the employee has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude that the employee did not disclose to the school or agency.
Permits a driver education instructor license to be issued to an individual who has completed nine semester hours of driver and traffic safety education or a program of study in driver education approved by the commissioner from an approved driver education school but who does not hold a drivers education certificate, but provides that the individual may provide instruction only for a driver education school in a county with a population of at least 275,000 but not more than 285,000 and that is operated by a private K-12 school or open-enrollment charter school. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02678F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2678
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires that the Texas essential knowledge and skills related to personal financial literacy include instruction in methods of paying for college and other postsecondary education and training. Requires each high district and open enrollment charter school offering a high school program to provide instruction in personal financial literacy in any course meeting the requirements for an economic credit, using state board-approved materials. Requires the instruction in financial literacy to include instruction in methods of paying for college and other postsecondary education and training, including instruction on completing the application for federal student aid (FAFSA). Requires districts and open enrollment charter schools to ensure that a student enrolled in a dual credit course meets the requirements for an economics credit receives the instruction described above. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00034F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 34
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Requires general academic teaching institutions to offer personal financial literacy training. Directs the higher education coordinating board to determine the topics to be covered by the training, which may include budgeting, credit cards, spending, saving, loan repayment and consolidation, taxes, retirement planning, and financing of health care and other benefits. Permits the coordinating board to permit this training by rule to be provided in an online course. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00399F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 399
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires a personal financial literacy component to be included in mathematics instruction in grades K-8 (previously personal financial literacy only required to be included in one or more courses required for high school graduation). Directs the commissioner of education to adopt a list of electronic textbooks and instructional material for use as part of the foundation curriculum for personal financial literacy in grades K-8. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00290F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 290
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Physical Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Amends provisions relating to reporting student performance on a physical fitness assessment instrument to the Texas Education Agency. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00226F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 226
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Renames the advanced research program the Norman Hackerman advanced research program. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02631F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2631
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Creates a 9-member cybersecurity, education and economic development council, including two representatives from institutions of higher education with cybersecurity-related programs and one representative from a public junior college with a cybersecurity-related program. Directs the council to conduct an interim study and make recommendations to the executive director of the department of information resources on (1) improving the infrastructure of the state's cybersecurity operations with existing resources and through partnerships between government, business and institutions of higher education; and (2) examining specific actions to accelerate the growth of cybersecurity as an industry in the state. Directs the council to submit a report of its findings to specified stakeholders. Provides these provisions expire and the council is abolished September 1, 2013. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00988F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 988
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: Establishes the eligibility of the adjutant general's department to receive Foundation School Program funding for students enrolled in the Texas ChalleNGe Academy. Directs the department to contract with an appropriate school district for the provision of educational services for students enrolled in the academy. Requires that the school district with which the department contracts be responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable regulatory requirements imposed under the Education Code and enforced by the commissioner of education and the Texas Education Agency.
Bill text: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02247F.pdf#navpanes=0
Bill analysis: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/analysis/pdf/HB02247E.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2247
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Governance--Ethics/Conflict of Interest |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
From fiscal analysis: Requires school districts located either wholly or partly in a city with a population of 500,000 or more, and with a student enrollment of more than 15,000, to post on their Web sites the campaign finance reports for school board trustees and candidates for school board positions. Permits these school districts to remove portions of each political contributor's address to show only the city, state, and zip code, but requires that the removed information remain available on the reports maintained in the school districts' offices. Requires that the campaign finance reports be posted online no later than the 5th business day after the report is filed with the school district. (The Texas Ethics Commission reports that the bill's requirements would impact 16 school districts that meet the criteria.)
Bill text: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00336F.pdf#navpanes=0
Fiscal analysis: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/fiscalnotes/pdf/HB00336F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 336
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Governance--Site-Based Management |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Includes professional staff who educate students with disabilities on district-level and campus-level planning and decision-making committees. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00778F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 778
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
From fiscal analysis: Amends a number of statutory provisions relating to membership of the commissioner of education and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on advisory committees, commissions, task forces,
and other similar groups. Overall, the bill would be anticipated to reduce workload requirements associated with the support of these coordination efforts by affected functional areas within the agency. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB03278F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 3278
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Defines "severe food allergy". Requires that a district request, upon a student's enrollment, parental disclosure of a food allergy or severe food allergy that, in the parent's judgment, should be disclosed to enable the district to take any necessary precautions regarding the child's safety, and specify the food the child is allergic to and the nature of the allergic reaction. Requires that districts maintain the confidentiality of this information, and disclose to teachers, school counselors, school nurses, and other appropriate school personnel only to the extent consistent with district policy and permissible under FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974). Requires that information on a child's food allergy be retained in a child's student records but not in the child's health record. Requires that documentation of a food allergy received from a physician be placed in a child's health record. Permits a registered nurse to enter notes about a potential food allergy in a child's health record. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00742F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 742
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs local boards and charter schools to adopt and administer a policy for the care of students with a diagnosed food allergy at risk for anaphylaxis based on guidelines developed by May 2012 by the commissioner of state health services in consultation with an ad hoc committee. Requires that a district or charter school that adopted a policy before the development of these guidelines review and revise the policy as necessary to ensure the policy is consistent with the guidelines. Provides for the creation of an ad hoc committee to consult with the commissioner of state health services on the development of the guidelines. Establishes restrictions on the guidelines. Requires that the guidelines be posted on the Texas Education Agency Web site with any other information relating to students with special health needs. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00027F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 27
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a local board of trustees to appoint a representative of local domestic violence programs to the local school health advisory council. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00736F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 736
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Health--Child Abuse |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires district improvement plans to include provisions for the policy under Section 38.0041 addressing sexual abuse and other maltreatment of children. Makes existing provision requiring districts to adopt and implement policies addressing sexual abuse of children also applicable to open-enrollment charter schools; expands provision to also address maltreatment of children as defined in Section 42.002 of the Human Resources Code. Requires policies to address staff (rather than teacher) awareness of such issues; requires policies to include prevention techniques, and establishes parameters for such training. Requires districts and charter schools to maintain records including the name of each staff member who participated in the training. Requires a district or charter school with insufficient resources to provide such training to work in conjunction with a community organization to provide the training at no cost to the district or charter school. Provides that a school district or open-enrollment charter school may not be subject to specified disciplinary proceedings resulting from an action taken regarding these provisions.
Requires each child-placing agency or daycare center to adopt and implement a policy addressing sexual abuse and other maltreatment of children. Establishes components that must be addressed in such policy. Also requires a child-placing agency or daycare center to provide training for staff members in prevention techniques for and the recognition of symptoms of sexual abuse and other maltreatment of children and the responsibility and procedure of reporting suspected occurrences of sexual abuse and other maltreatment of children to the department or other appropriate entity. Establishes parameters for such training. Permits a child-placing agency or daycare center that determines it does not have sufficient resources to provide the training to contact a department licensing employee to obtain information concerning community organizations that will provide such training at no cost. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00471F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 471
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Health--Child Abuse |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Defines "campus program for minors" as a program operated by or on the campus of a public or private/independent institution of higher education that is not a day camp, and offers recreational, athletic, religious or educational activities for at least 20 campers who are not enrolled at the institution and who attend or temporarily reside at the camp for all or part of at least four days. Provides a program operator may not employ an individual in a position involving contact with campers at a campus program for minors unless the individual has completed a training and examination program on sexual abuse and child molestation in the last two years. Provides this provision does not apply to a student enrolled at the institution of higher education operating the campus program for minors or at which the campus program is conducted, and whose contact with campers is limited to a single class of short duration. Identifies procedural requirements for program operators. Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission by rule to establish criteria and guidelines for the training and examination program on sexual abuse and child molestation. Permits the department of state health services ("department") to assess a fee to cover the costs associated with training and administration related to these provisions. Directs the department at least every five years to review each training and examination program on sexual abuse and child molestation approved by the department to ensure the program continues to meet the criteria and guidelines established by rule. Permits the department to investigate a person suspected of violating these provisions or a rule adopted under these provisions. Directs a program operator to consider the costs of compliance with these provisions in determining any charges or fees imposed and collected for participation in the campus program for minors. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01414F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1414
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Health--Mental Health |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the department of public health, in coordination with the Texas Education Agency, to provide and annually update a list of best practice-based early mental health intervention and suicide prevention programs for implementation in public K-12 schools. Permits districts to select program(s) for implementation in the district. Requires that programs on the list include components for training counselors, teachers, nurses, administrators, and other staff, as well as law enforcement officers and social workers who regularly interact with students, to (1) recognize students at risk of committing suicide, including students who are or may be the victims of or who engage in bullying; (2) recognize students displaying specified early warning signs and a possible need for early mental health intervention; and (3) intervene with students described in (1) and (2) by providing notice and referral to a parent so appropriate action, such as seeking mental health services, may be taken by a parent. Directs the department of public health and Texas Education Agency to consider certain programs in developing the list of programs.
Authorizes local boards to adopt a policy concerning early mental health intervention and suicide prevention that (1) establishes a procedure for notifying parents that their child is recommended for early mental health intervention or that their child is identified as at risk of committing suicide; (2) establishes that the district may develop a reporting mechanism and may designate one or more liaison officers to identify students in need of early mental health intervention or suicide prevention; and (3) sets out available counseling alternatives for a parent to consider when their child is identified as possibly being in need of early mental health intervention or suicide prevention.
Prohibits medical screening of a student as part of the identification process without prior parental permission. Requires that district policies be included in the student handbook and the district improvement plan. Permits the department of health to accept donations for purposes of this act, but prohibits the department of health from accepting anonymous donations. Directs the department of health, by January 2013, to report to the legislation on the development of the list of programs and the implementation in districts of selected programs by those districts that choose to implement programs. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01386F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1386 - Early Mental Health Intervention and Prevention of Youth Suicide
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
High School--Advanced Placement |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Authorizes the commissioner of education to adopt rules as necessary concerning the duties of a school district under the college credit program (under which students may earn the equivalent of at least 12 semester credit hours of college credit through International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, dual credit, or articulated postsecondary technical credit courses). Authorizes the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules as necessary concerning the duties of a public institution of higher education under the college credit program. Simplifies program participation reporting requirements for districts. Authorizes the commissioner and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to share data as necessary to enable school districts to comply with reporting requirements under the college credit program. Directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to collect student course credit data from public institutions of higher education as necessary for purposes of district reporting requirements under the college credit program. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00149F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 149
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--Advanced Placement |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Extends to 2013 a provision that a district is not required to pay a student's tuition or other associated costs for taking a course through the college credit program (under which districts must make available the opportunity for students to earn the equivalent of at least 12 semester hours through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaurate, dual credit, and/or articulated postsecondary courses). Clarifies that the time during which students are participating in the college credit program must be counted as part of the minimum number of instructional hours required for a student to be considered a full-time student in average daily attendance. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01619F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1619
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--College Readiness |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Renames "Education: Go Get It Week" as "Generation Texas Week." Adds that the information provided to students during this week must include the college readiness standards and expectations
as determined under Section 28.008. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02909F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2909 - Generation Texas Week
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Prohibits state funding to public junior colleges for physical education courses offered for joint high school and junior college credit. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00419F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 419
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--GED (General Education Development) |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the state board to adopt rules to provide for online administration of high school equivalency exams. Requires that the rules provide a procedure for verifying the identity of the person taking the exam, and prohibit a minor from taking the exam online. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01094F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1094
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board of education to allow a student who is unable to participate in physical activity due to disability or illness to substitute one credit in English language arts, mathematics, science or social studies or one academic elective credit for the required physical education credit. Prohibits a credit allowed to be substituted in this manner from also being used by the student to satisfy a graduation requirement other than completion of the physical education credit. Specifies who must determine whether a student is able to participate in physical activity. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00692F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 692
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Evaluation and Effectiveness |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires districts to appraise each principal annually. Directs the commissioner to establish by rule and administer a comprehensive principal appraisal and professional development system. Authorizes the commissioner to establish a consortium of experts on education leadership and policy to (1) assist in developing the system, (2) evaluate relevant research and practice, and (3) make recommendations to the commissioner. Directs the commissioner to establish school leadership standards and indicators to align with principal training, appraisal, and professional development. In appraising principals, directs districts to use either the commissioner's appraisal system and school leadership standards and indicators, or locally-developed and -adopted appraisal process and performance criteria. Directs the commissioner, by December 2012 and December 2014, to submit a report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislative leaders on any actions taken under these provisions, and recommendations for legislative action on the training, appraisal, professional development, or compensation of principals.
Provides that in carrying out commissioner's powers and duties under these provisions, commissioner may use only money available from private sources. Clarifies that section 21.354 of the education code, directing the commissioner of education to recommend an appraisal process and criteria to appraise the performance of various classifications of school administrators, does not apply to principal performance appraisals. Requires that principal professional development include training based on scientifically-based research. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01383F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1383
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
P-16 or P-20 |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Increases the membership of the P-16 Council to include 6, rather than 3, members who are co-chair appointees who are education professionals, agency representatives, business representatives, or other members of the community. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02909F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2909 - P-16 Council
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
P-16 or P-20 |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires that the higher education coordinating board provide specified information in its public awareness campaign promoting higher education (previously, provision of the same information was proposed in statute but not mandated). Requires that the higher education coordinating board coordinate with the Texas Education Agency, the P-16 Council, and other appropriate entities, including regional P-16 councils and businesses, to implement the public awareness campaign. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02909F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2909 - Public Awareness Campaign Promoting Higher Education
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
P-3 Finance |
Adopted 06/2011 |
P-12 |
From Texas Register: Amends s.102.1002, concerning the prekindergarten early start grant program. Revises procedures for the prekindergarten grant award program by updating provisions relating to definitions, including changes to the definitions for Tier 1 and Tier 2 grantees and deletion of the Tier 3 grantee definition; eligibility criteria; funding allocations and continuation funding, including removal of Tier 3 funding; exemptions; and technical assistance. The adopted revisions will be implemented beginning with the 2011-2012 school year. See pages 14-17 of 19: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0617/0617adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 102.1002
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary |
Vetoed 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Directs institutions of higher education to provide written notice to undergraduates of provisions limiting the number of courses that may be dropped. Requires that such notice be given before the end of the first semester in which the student is enrolled in the institution.
Bill text: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00992F.pdf#navpanes=0
Governor's veto message: http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/scanned/vetoes/82/hb992.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 992
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Defines "degree plan" as a statement of the course requirements that an undergraduate must complete to be awarded an associate or bachelor's degree from the institution. Requires each student in an associate or bachelor's degree program at an institute of higher education to file a degree plan with the institution by the end of the second regular semester following the semester in which the student completed 45 or more credit hours, including transfer courses, International Baccalaureate, dual credit or any other course for which the student has earned college credit. Requires a student starting at an institution with 45 or more credit hours to file a degree plan by the end of the student's second regular semester at the institution. Requires institutions to provide students with information on the degree plan filing requirement, including the option for consulting with an academic advisor. Requires students to provide notification to the institution when enrolling in subsequent semesters that the student has filed a degree plan, and that the courses for which the student is registering are consistent with that degree plan. Requires student notification if a student does not file a degree plan. Provides a student may not obtain an official transcript until the student has filed a degree plan wtih the institution. Pages 1-3: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB03025F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 3025 - Degree Plan
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Permits a university system or institution or agency of higher education to donate data processing equipment that is surplus or salvage property to a public or private hospital located in a rural county. Defines "rural county" for these purposes. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00074F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 74
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Requires that each general academic teaching institution make public on the institution's Web site the following information: (1) the student/faculty ratio; (2) the percentage of all full-time equivalent faculty
members with teaching responsibility who are tenured or tenure track; (3) the percentage of semester credit hours taken by freshmen or sophomores that are taught by tenured and tenure track faculty members;
(4) the number of faculty members in each of six faculty ranks (from professor to teaching assistant), with a breakdown for each rank of the numbers of faculty members by race, ethnicity and gender; (5) average faculty salaries by rank; (6) the amount of money appropriated by the legislature per full-time equivalent faculty member and full-time equivalent student; (7) the total revenue the institution spent per full-time equivalent faculty member and full-time equivalent student; (8) the amount of federal and private research expenditures per tenured or tenure track full-time equivalent faculty member; (9) the number and percentage of faculty members holding extramural research grants; (10) the number and names of awards to faculty members from nationally recognized entities, including those identified by The Center for Measuring University Performance; and (11) the number of endowed professorships or chairs. Requires that each institution update the information for the preceding fiscal or academic year by December 31 each year. Authorizes the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules necessary to administer these provisions, including rules to ensure the consistency of information made available. Pages 1-3 of 21: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00736F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 736 - Internet Access to Faculty Information for General Academic Teaching Institutions
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends provisions of 51A.002, "Powers and Duties of Coordinating Board Relating to Institution Resumes; General Requirements for Institution Resumes" and 51A.003, "Duties of Institutions of Higher Education Relating to Institution Resumes". Existing legislation provides for the posting of institution of higher educations' online resumes on the coordinating board of higher education's Web site. New provision specifies that institutions' online resumes appear on the first frame of the coordinating board's home page, in a font that is larger than the font of the majority of the text on the home page. Requires that the data on student loans, grants or scholarships included on an institution's resume be the same as that published for the institution by the U.S. Department of Education on its "College Navigator" website, or a successor or related Web site maintained by the U.S. Department of Education. Requires that the link to an institution's online resume be on the first frame of the institution's home page, and in a font that is larger than the font of the majority of the text on the home page. Permits an institution to meet institution resume requirements regarding student loan, grant or scholarship information by linking the institution's online resume to that information as it appears on the "College Navigator" Web site or a successor or related Web site, maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics of the U.S. Department of Education.
Pages 3-5 of 21: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00736F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 736 - Institution Resume for Institutions of Higher Education
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends provisions of 51A.052, "Institution Resume for Legislators and Other Policy Makers"--these resumes differ from those established by 51A.002 through .004 and from 51A.102, "Institution Resume for Legislators and Other Policy Makers". Requires that the "enrollment" section of these resumes include the percentage of undergraduate students enrolled in the institution for the first time during the fall semester that ended in the fiscal year covered by the resume who are transfer students. Requires that the "costs" section include information about the percentage of undergraduate students (both at the institution and at in-state and out-of-state peer institutions) receiving student loans, the average annual amount of an undergraduate student's student loans, the percentage of undergraduate students receiving federal or state grants, and the average annual amount of federal and state grants received by an undergraduate student. Requires that the "student success" section report five-year graduation rates. Under the "funding" section, specifies that information on the total amount of money appropriated by the legislature to the institution be for that state fiscal year and the corresponding percentage of the institution's operating budget for that state fiscal year that the total amount of money appropriated by the legislature represents. Requires that the "funding" section also report (1) the total amount of federal funds received by the institution from all federal sources, including grants and research funds, and (2) the total academic costs the institution charged to students in that state fiscal year and the corresponding percentage of the institution's operating budget that the total amount of federal funds and academic costs represents. Also requires that the "costs" section include the average annual amount and percentage by which the total academic costs charged to a resident undergraduate enrolled in 30 semester credit hours have increased in each of the five most recent state fiscal years for which the information is available, both at the institution and at peer in-state and out-of-state institutions. Pages 5-9 of 21: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00736F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 736 - Institution Resume for Legislators and Other Policymakers (51A.052)
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends provisions of 51A.053, "Institution Resume for Prospective Students, Parents, and Members of the Public". Requires that, under the "Enrollment" heading, the resume include the percentage of undergraduate students enrolled in the institution for the first time during the fall semester that ended in the fiscal year covered by the resume who are transfer students. Deletes from "Costs" section of the resume requirement to report on the amount and percentage by which the institution has increased tuition for a degree program or course level during the state fiscal year covered by the resume. Under "Financial Aid" heading requires reporting on the percentage of undergraduates enrolled in the institution who receive student loans, and the average amount of an undergraduate's student loans. Under "Baccalaureate Success" requires reporting on the retention rate of first-time, full-time, degree-seeking entering undergraduate students enrolled in the institution after one academic year and after two academic years. Creates new "Funding" heading. Requires reporting under this heading on (1) the total legislative appropriation to the institution, including money appropriated for faculty/staff health coverage and retirement benefits, for that state fiscal year and the corresponding percentage of the institution's operating budget for that fiscal year that the total legislative appropriation represents; (2) the total amount of federal funds from all federal sources, including grants and research funds, received by the institution in that fiscal year and the percentage of the institution's operating budget for that fiscal year that the total amount of federal funds represents; (3) the total academic costs charged to students by the institution in that fiscal year and the percentage of the institution's operating budget for that fiscal year that the total academic costs represent; and (4) the total amount of money from any source available to the institution in that state fiscal year. Also requires under the "Costs" heading reporting on the average annual amount and percentage by which the total academic
costs charged to a resident undergraduate student enrolled in 30 semester credit hours have increased in each of the 5 most recent state fiscal years, both at the institution and at the institution's in-state peer institutions. Pages 9-13 of 21: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00736F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 736 - Institution Resume for Prospective Students, Parents and Members of the Public
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends provisions of 51A.102, "Institution Resume for Legislators and Other Policy Makers", which differs from 51A.052, "Institution Resume for Legislators and Other Policy Makers" also amended by this act. Requires under the heading "Enrollment" reporting on the percentage of students at the institution who are enrolled in one or more developmental education courses, and percentage of students at the institution enrolled in one or more dual credit courses. Under the heading "Costs", requires reporting (both at the institution and the institution's in-state peer institutions): on the percentage of students receiving loans; the average amount of loans received by a student; the percentage of students receiving federal or state grants; and the average annual amount of federal and state grants received by a student. Under the heading "Funding" requires reporting on (1) the total amount of legislative appropriation for that state fiscal year and the corresponding percentage of the institution's operating budget for that state fiscal year that the total legislative appriopriation represents; (2) the total amount of federal funds from all federal sources, including grants and research funds, received by the institution in that state fiscal year and the corresponding percentage of the institution's operating budget for that state fiscal year that the total amount of federal funds represents; (3) the total academic costs charged to students by the institution in that state fiscal year and the corresponding percentage of the institution's operating budget for that state fiscal year that the total academic costs represent. Also requires under the "Costs" heading reporting on the average annual amount and percentage by which the total academic costs charged to a student enrolled in 30 semester credit hours toward a two-year degree or certificate have increased in each of the 5 most recent state fiscal years, both at the institution and at the institution's in-state peer institutions. Pages 13-17 of 21: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00736F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 736 - Institution Resume for Legislators and Other Policy Makers (51A.102)
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Directs the Texas Workforce Commission and the higher education coordinating board to jointly develop a comprehensive strategy to improve and coordinate the dissemination of online information regarding the operation and performance of career schools or colleges operating in the state. Requires such information to be organized as nearly as possible to information required for the online resumes for lower-division public institutions under Section 51A.103 (http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ED/htm/ED.51A.htm#51A.103). Requires that the information, to the extent practicable, be consistent across schools and institutions, and easily accessible and readily understandable to the public. Pages 17-18 of 21: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00736F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 736 - Online Information Regarding Certain Career Educational Entities
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Directs the higher education coordinating board to make available on its Web site a search tool allowing for comparisons of general academic teaching institutions that meet certain criteria selected by the user,
including offering a particular major or program of study. Requires that the page displaying the comparison chart have a link to the Texas Workforce Commission Web site. Requires that the comparison tool be posted to the board's Web site by February 2013. Pages 18-19 of 21: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00736F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 736 - Comparison Tool
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Provides for the expiration of specified reporting requirements applicable to institutions of higher education and university systems. Provides that a rule or policy of a state agency, including the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board, in effect on June 1, 2011, that requires reporting by a university system or an institution of higher education has no effect on or after September 1, 2013, unless
the rule or policy is affirmatively and formally readopted before that date by formal administrative rule. Provides exceptions.
Pages 23-25 and 35-37 of 38: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00005F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 5 - Postsecondary Reporting Requirements
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability--Student Learning |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Directs each institution of higher education to develop measurable learning outcomes for undergraduate courses at public institutions of higher education. Permits institutions of higher education to adopt learning outcomes for a course that are the same as or based on those identified for that course by the institution's recognized accrediting agency. Directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt any rules
the coordinating board considers appropriate for the administration of these provisions. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01726F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1726
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Clarifies that a student may receive an athletic scholarship if not receiving a tuition equalization grant. Requires a student to be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate, as determined by the individual's institution at the end of the first full academic year in which the person initially receives a tuition equalization grant. Clarifies that semester credit hour requirements for maintenance of a tuition equalization grant apply to the years after the first full academic year. Also requires a student, as a condition of continued eligibility for a tuition equalization grant, to completed at least 75% of the semester credit hours attempted in the person's most recent full academic year. For a student in exceptional financial need, makes approval of a tuition equalization grant of up to 150% of what the student would otherwise have been awarded contingent upon the student's institution rather than the higher education coordinating board. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02907F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2907
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Adds references to alternative education loans to passage about guaranteed student loans. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02911F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2911
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Provides that an individual may not receive a Texas Educational Opportunity Grant and a TEXAS Grant for the same semester, regardless of whether the individual is eligible for both. Provides that an individual who is eligible for both for the same semester is entitled to receive only the grant of the greater amount. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB03577F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 3577
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Clarifies that public institution of higher education emergency loan programs may cover textbook costs. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB03578F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 3578
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Directs the higher education coordinating board to annually determine the allocation of money available for TEXAS grants among general academic teaching institutions and other eligible institutions and to distribute the money accordingly. In allocating funds to general academic teaching institutions for initial TEXAS grants for an academic year, directs the board to ensure that each institution's percentage share of the total amount of money for initial grants for such institutions for that year does not, as result of students establishing eligibility for an initial grant at the institution, change from the institution's percentage share of the total amount of money for initial grants that is allocated to those institutions for the preceding academic year. Amends provisions related to giving priority to awarding TEXAS grants to students demonstrating greatest financial need. Specifies that such students' expected family contribution must not exceed 60% of the average statewide amount of tuition and required fees.
Beginning with TEXAS grants awarded for the 2013-2014 academic year, in determining who should receive an initial TEXAS grant, requires each general academic teaching institution, in addition to giving prioirty to students demonstrating the greatest financial need, to give highest priority to students who completed the recommended high school program and have accomplished any two or more of specified advanced academic criteria. Provides that if there is money available in excess of the amount required to award an initial TEXAS grant to all students meeting those criteria, a general academic teaching institution must make awards to other students who meet specified other eligibility criteria. Effective with grants awarded for 2013-14 academic year, adds provisions to make eligible for an initial TEXAS grant an individual who entered the military not later than the first anniversary of their high school graduation and enrolled for at least 3/4 of a full course load not later than 12 months after an honorable discharge from the military. Existing law permits the awarding of a TEXAS grant to a high school student who has not completed eligibility requirements (i.e., course requirements) but is on track to do so; new provisions extend similar awarding of grants to associate's degree candidates on track to complete an associate's degree. Creates provisions for awarding a TEXAS grant to first-time awardees eligible to receive an initial TEXAS grant in an academic year for which sufficient money was not available through legislative appropriations to allow the coordinating board to award initial TEXAS grants to at least 10% of the persons eligible for initial TEXAS grants in that year. Provides an individual's eligibility is not affected by specified components. Provides that such an individual is entitled to the highest priority if the person was entitled to that priority when the person first established eligibility for an initial TEXAS grant. Provides such a person is not eligible for a TEXAS grant for a previous academic year.
Directs the higher education coordinating board to annually provide a report to the legislative oversight committee on the TEXAS grant program and Teach for Texas grant program on the operation of the TEXAS grant program, including information from the three preceding state fiscal years on specified elements, including the persistence, retention and graduation rates of students receiving TEXAS grants.http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00028F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 28
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Consolidates related higher education programs governing tuition, fee exemptions and waivers respective to specific target populations. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00032F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 32
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Vetoed 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Extends authority of Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation to permit corporation to administer student financial aid programs and other student loan programs, and participate in revenue-generating activities
to support the guaranteed student loan program and other higher education student financial aid and student loan programs. Extends membership conflict of interest provisions to exclude board members or employees of certain postsecondary lenders. Organizes the corporation under the business code (currently organized under the nonprofit corporation act). Increases from 4 to 5 the members who are postsecondary faculty or administrators. Permits corporation meetings by conference call. Extends definition of revenue-generating activity corporation may participate in. Repeals enabling legislation for two corporation advisory committees, and replaces with provision authorizing corporation to establish advisory committees as the board considers appropriate. Adds provision directing the state auditor to periodically review the corporation's activities in a manner consistent with the state auditor's audit plan. Makes other changes.
Bill text: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00040F.pdf#navpanes=0
Governor's veto message: http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/scanned/vetoes/82/sb40.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 40
Source: www.lrl.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Excludes course credit earned before graduating from high school from credit totals used to determine student eligibility for an undergraduate tuition rebate. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00176F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 176
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Directs the higher education coordinating board to provide for a uniform priority application deadline for student financial assistance for institutions of higher education that are not public junior colleges. Specifies the priority deadline may not serve as a determination of eligibility for state financial assistance, but requires that otherwise eligible applicants who apply on or before the deadline be given priority consideration for available state financial assistance before other applicants. Directs the coordinating board to consult with financial aid personnel at institutions of higher education in adopting rules providing for the deadline. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00851F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 851
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
From fiscal analysis: Specifies that awards under the Early High School Graduation Scholarship program be paid from funds appropriated for that purpose and amends statutory language to eliminate required funding transfers from the Foundation School Program (FSP) to fund the program.
Pages 4-5 of 19: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB03708F.pdf#navpanes=0
Fiscal analysis: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/fiscalnotes/pdf/HB03708F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 3708 - Early High School Graduation Scholarship
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Specifies that military personnel, veterans or dependents seeking the tuition exemption must be currently residing in the state, effective with fall 2011 (provides grandfather clause for existing recipients who received an exemption while residing out of state). Requires the higher education coordinating board to allow, following the death of an individual eligible for an exemption, assignment of the exemption for the unused portion of the credit hours to a child of the person, to be made by the person's spouse or other legally designated caretaker of the child, if the child does not otherwise qualify for an exemption. Requires a child dependent eligible for an exemption to be 25 or younger on the first day of the term for which the exemption is claimed. Directs the higher education coordinating board to prescribe procedures by which a child who suffered from a severe illness or other debilitating condition that affected the child's ability to use the exemption before reaching age 25 to be granted additional time to use the exemption corresponding to the time the child was unable to use the exemption because of the illness or condition.
Creates new section directing the governing board of an institution to provide a tuition exemption to the dependent child of a resident member of the U.S. Armed Forces (or who is otherwise eligible for resident tuition) for any semester during which the member is on active duty in a combative military operation outside the U.S. Requires each applicant to submit satisfactory evidence of eligibility for the exemption. Provides a person may not receive such an exemption for more than 150 semester credit hours, and may not receive an exemption if the person is in default on a Texas educational loan. Prohibits institutions from considering the person's eligibility for such an exemption when determining whether to admit the person to any certificate or degree program. Directs the legislature, in its appropriations to institutions of higher education, based on availability, to provide sufficient money to cover the full costs of such exemptions. Requires the higher education coordinating board, in the event of insufficient funds, to prorate the available funding to each institution for these purposes in proportion to the total amount the institution would otherwise be entitled to receive. Specifies an institution is required to grant an exemption from the payment of tuition under these provisions only to the extent money is available for that purpose. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00639F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 639
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Textbooks |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Defines terms, including "custom textbook" and "textbook bundle". Requires each institution of higher education to compile a course schedule each semester indicating each course offered for the semester, along with a list of the required and recommended textbooks for each course. Requires the list to include specified information about each required and recommended textbook. Requires such information to be provided to students, college bookstores and other bookstores that generally serve the students of the institution. Establishes a process for institutions of higher education to allow students to place textbook orders in a timely manner. Requires institutions of higher education, to the extent practicable, to disseminate information to students on institutional programs related to (1) textbook rentals or used textbook purchases, (2) guaranteed textbook buyback, (3) alternative delivery of textbook content, and (4) other available institutional textbook cost-savings strategies. Requires textbook publishers to provide specified information regarding prices, copyright dates, substantial content revisions, and other textbook formats to faculty or other persons in charge of selecting course materials at institutions of higher education. Requires publishers to make textbook bundle items available as separately priced, unbundled items. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00033F.pdf#navpanes=0
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00033F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 33
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
From bill analysis: Eliminates inconsistency between statute and the General Appropriations Act regarding tuition payment dates by giving each institution of higher education the freedom to set its own policy with regard to collection of tuition and mandatory fees. Also replaces specific references to semesters with more generic references to reduce confusion associated with registrations that take place outside of the traditional fall, spring and summer model. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01341F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1341
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Permits a general academic teaching institution (as defined here http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ED/htm/ED.61.htm) to develop a fixed tuition rate program for qualified students who agree to transfer to the institution within 12 months of completing an associate degree at a lower-division institution of higher education. Requires a participating general teaching institution to prescribe program eligibility requirements and notify applicants for transfer admission from lower-division institutions of higher education about the program. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02999F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2999
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Existing Sections 54.5031 and 54.5032 providing for student fee advisory committee meetings. New provisions require that such committees conduct meetings at which a quorum is present in a manner that is open to the public and in accordance with procedures prescribed by the president of the institution. Creates requirements that such procedures must meet. Requires the final recommendations made by a student fee advisory committee to be recorded and made public. Pages 31-32 of 38: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00005F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 5 - Student Fee Advisory Committee Meetings and Recommendations
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
From fiscal analysis: Amends Chapter 54 of the Education Code to repeal the Texas Save and Match Program under current law and create a new Texas Save and Match Program (program). Provides the program
matches money contributed to a higher education savings account under Subchapter G or a prepaid tuition contract under Subchapter H with funds generated from individual contributions to the program or appropriated funds. Provides the Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board (Board) with the powers necessary or proper to carry out its duties in administering the program. Authorizes a nonprofit organization established by law to implement the program (program entity) to be considered an eligible charitable organization under the state employee charitable campaign.
Specifies initial eligibility requirements and limitations; authorizes the Board to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations; and authorizes the Board to use legislative appropriations for pilot projects to incentivize participation in higher education savings or prepaid tuition programs. Establishes the Texas Save and Match Trust Fund (fund); provides for investment of money in the fund; authorizes money in the fund to be spent without appropriation; and authorizes the Board to hold and manage funds of a related program entity. Exempts a beneficiary's assets in a higher education savings plan under subchapter G, prepaid tuition contract under Subchapter H, or related matching account from determination of eligibility for TEXAS grants or any other state-funded student financial assistance. Amends Chapter 62 of the Health and Safety Code, and Chapters 31 and 32 of the Human Resources Code, to also exclude these assets from the determination of eligibility for the child health plan, financial assistance programs, and medical assistance programs.
Pages 5-16 of 19: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB03708F.pdf#navpanes=0
Fiscal analysis: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/fiscalnotes/pdf/HB03708F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 3708 - Texas Save and Match Program
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Establishes group health benefits eligibility for students on postdoctoral fellowships or certain graduate student fellowships who are currently receiving a stipend from an applicable fellowship. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00029F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 29
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Amends Chapter 1601 of the Insurance Code, "Uniform Insurance Benefits Act for Employees of the University of Texas System and the Texas AM University System", to permit a system to establish premium discounts, surcharges, rebates or a revision in otherwise applicable copayments, coinsurance or deductibles, or any combination of those incentives, for an individual who participates in system-approved programs promoting disease prevention, wellness, and health. Specifies that certain provisions do not prohibit a system from contributing funds in excess of certain specified funds to a tenured faculty member with whom the system has entered into a phased retirement agreement under which the individual will work less than 40 hours a week for a specified period of time at the end of which the individual will retire. Establishes provision related to employee deduction for automatic insurance coverage. Pages 14-15 of 38: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00005F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 5 - Postsecondary Employee Insurance
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes the governing board of a university system, or of an institution of higher education that is not a component institution of a university system, to authorize employees of the system or institution to elect a payroll deduction for any purpose that the governing board determines serves a public purpose and benefits employees. Authorizes the higher education coordinating board to adopt policies and procedures governing such payroll deductions. Requires that such payroll deductions be at the employee's written request, and that the request state the amount to be deducted and the entity to which the deducted amount is to be transferred. Specifies that these provisions do not authorize a payroll deduction for dues or membership fees payable to a labor union or employees association. Pages 13-14 of 38: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00005F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 5 - Payroll Deductions for Employees of University System or Institution of Higher Education
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Faculty--Intellectual Property |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Specifies that information maintained by or for an institution of higher education that would reveal the institution's plans or negotiations for commercialization or a proposed research agreement, contract or grant, or that consists of unpublished research or data that may be commercialized, is not subject to Chapter 552, Government Code [Public Information], unless the information has been published, is patented or is otherwise subject to an executed license, sponsored research agreement, or research contract or grant. Page 26 of 38: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00005F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 5 - Postsecondary Information Not Subject to Public Information Provisions
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Amends the composition and appointment of the board of directors of a corporation to which the board of regents of the University of Texas System delegates investment authority for the permanent university fund or other funds under the control of the board of regents. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02825F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2825
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Directs each institution of higher education to post on its Web site specified information on financial transactions. Permits an institution to comply with this requirement by providing on its Web site an easily noticeable direct link, the purpose of which is clearly identifiable, to a Web site maintained by the comptroller that provides information concerning the institution that is similar to the information required under statute. Permits a local government and an institution of higher education or university system to contract with one another to perform any governmental functions and
services.
Permits the governing board of each institution to maintain unsecured deposits in a foreign bank as necessary to support the institution's academic and research operations in the foreign country in which the bank is located, provided that no appropriated or tuition funds other than those collected from students enrolled in the affected programs are deposited. Substantially revises provision related to institution financial reporting. Repeals most existing language and replaces with provision requiring each institution of higher education to a complete an annual financial report as prescribed in the Government Code. Establishes certain provisions on the collection of delinquent obligations. Requires that a suit by the University of Texas System or on behalf of a component institution be brought in Travis County. Authorizes an institution of higher education to make any payment through electronic funds transfer or by electronic pay card. Establishes provisions applicable to a credit balance of less than $25 held by an institution of higher education that is presumed abandoned, and specifies that provisions in the property code do not apply to small credit balances held by an institution of higher education in an unclaimed money fund. Establishes circumstances under which a state security issued by an institution of higher education, or issued at the request of or for the benefit of an institution of higher education, is not subject to board approval, including provisions defining "substantial interest in a business entity" for purposes of determining whether an institution of higher education may enter into a contract or other transaction with the business of a board member of the institution has an interest or substantial interest in the entity. Directs an institution or university system to determine whether and the extent to which it will send and accept electronic and digital signatures.
Amends various provisions of Section 51.923, "Qualifications of certain business entities to enter into contracts with an institution of higher education." Pages 1-13 of 38: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00005F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 5 - Miscellaneous Higher Education Finance
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance--Efficiency/Performance-Based Funding |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Requires that the higher education coordinating board's funding policies emphasize an alignment with education goals established by the board. Establishes requirements regarding the composition of committees employed by the board in establishing and reviewing the postsecondary funding process. Requires formulas for basic funding to incorporate, as the board considers appropriate, goals identified in the board's long-range statewide plan.
Adds new Sec. 61.0593, "Student Success-Based Funding Recommendations". Identifies "at-risk student" and "critical field" for purposes of this section. Directs the board, in devising its funding formulas and making recommendations on appropriations to general academic teaching institutions, to consider undergraduate student success measures achieved by each of the institutions during the preceding state fiscal biennium. Also directs the board, at the same time it is making those recommendations, to make recommendations for incorporating the success measures into the distribution of any incentive funds. Specifies that success measures may include the total number of bachelor's degrees awarded, the total number of bachelor's degrees awarded in critical fields, the total number of bachelor's degrees awarded to at-risk students, and the institution's six-year graduation rate as compared against the six-year graduation rate predicted based on the composition of the institution's student body. Provides that not more than 10% of an institution's general revenue appropriations of base funds for undergraduate education recommended by the board may be based on student success measures, and that board recommendations based on student success measures do not affect funding for graduate education.
Directs the board, in devising its funding formulas and making its recommendations to the legislature relating to appropriations of incentive funds for two-year public institutions, to consider the undergraduate student success measures achieved by the institution during the preceding state fiscal biennium. Specifies indicators that these success measures may include. Directs the board to review success measures for two- and four-year institutions biennially. Directs the board to include in its findings to the legislature an evaluation of the effectiveness of the student success measures in achieving the purpose
of this section during the preceding state fiscal biennium.
Directs the board, by September 30, 2011 and subsequently by July 2012, to submit to the Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence, and Transparency a written report reviewing, comparing and highlighting national and global best practices on: (1) improving student outcomes, including student retention, graduations, and graduation rates; and (2) higher education governance, administration and transparency (this provision expires August 31, 2013). http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00009F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 9
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance--Efficiency/Performance-Based Funding |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Directs the offices of the governor and the legislative budget board, in consultation with public institutions of higher education, to review the forms for higher education legislative appropriations requests to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, provide better transparency of funding sources, eliminate unnecessary or duplicative requirements, and otherwise reduce the cost or difficulty of providing information related to appropriations requests. Page 28 of 38: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00005F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 5 - Higher Education Legislative Appropriations Requests Process
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
From fiscal analysis: Establishes high-performance sustainable-design standards for the construction or renovation of state buildings, including those of institutions of higher education. Makes the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) responsible for setting, with the assistance of an advisory commission, applicable design and construction standards. Provides minimum standards must achieve a 15% reduction in water use compared to relevant plumbing fixtures identified in the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Exempts institutions of higher education that take certain actions.
Bill text: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00051F.pdf#navpanes=0
Fiscal analysis: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/fiscalnotes/pdf/HB00051F.pdf#navpanes=0
PERFORMANCE, SUSTAINABLE DESIGN,
CONSTRUCTION, AND RENOVATION STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN FACILITIES
Title: H.B. 51
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Adds junior colleges to provisions in property code relating to property presumed to be abandoned and valued at $100 or less. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00650F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 650
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires each political subdivision, institution of higher education or state agency to establish a goal to reduce electric consumption by at least 5% each state fiscal year for 10 years, starting September 1, 2011. Requires each such entity that does not meet its goal to include in its report justification that the entity has already implemented all available cost-effective measures. Provides for an exemption. Provides for the calculation of the amount of energy savings and estimated reduction in pollution achieved as a result of the implementation of programs. Requires this information to be shared with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to help with long-term forecasting and in estimating pollution reduction. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00898F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 898
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Establishes an expedited process for a project (i.e., aquisition, construction, repair or rehabilitation of a building or other facility). Provides that board approval of a project at an institutuion of higher education if the
institution notifies the board of the project and certifies certain elements to the board. Requires board staff to promptly review such a certification and notify the institution whether the certification is sufficient, in which event the project is considered approved by the board. Specifies these provisions do not apply to a project that is a new branch campus, a new off-campus educational unit, or a new higher education center. Pages 16-17 of 38: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00005F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 5 - Expedited Process for Certain Projects
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Requires a university system or institution of higher education to account for all personal property as defined by the comptroller. Requires the property records of a university system or institution of higher education to accurately reflect at all times the personal property possessed by the system or institution. Requires each university system or institution of higher education's chief executive officer to designate one or more property managers, to maintain the records required and be the custodian of all personal property possessed by the system or institution. Pages 28-29 of 38: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00005F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 5 - Property Management
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures--Administrative/Leadership Issues |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Requires training for all members of governing boards of public junior college districts, not only appointed members. Requires topics of such training to additionally include information about best practices in campus financial management, financial ratio analysis, and case studies using financial indicators. Requires board members' participation in such training to be recorded in the minutes of public junior college districts last meeting of a calendar year. Requires offering of training via electronic means if a member is unable to attend training otherwise. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01206F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1206
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Institutions |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Amends definition of "security-sensitive position" to include any employee who has access to (1) another person's personal information or identifying information or (2) the financial information of the employer or another person. Adds the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as an entity entitled to obtain criminal history record information on an applicant for a security-sensitive position. Clarifies that such criminal history record information obtained by the coordinating board or an institution of higher education must be destroyed as soon as practicable after the individual becomes employed in a security-sensitive position and after the expiration of any probationary term of employment or, if the individual is not hired for a security-sensitive position, after the information is used for its authorized purpose. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02937F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2937
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Clarifies that the Information Resources Management Act does not apply to public junior colleges and public junior college districts. Provides certain exceptions.
Bill text: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01495F.pdf#navpanes=0
Information Resources Management Act: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/docs/gv/htm/gv.2054.htm
Title: H.B. 1495
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Participation--Access |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Removes requirement that the plan submitted to the higher education coordinating board for a junior college program to serve persons from backgrounds of economic or educational deprivation include a plan for a financial aid program, or a plan for an annual evaluation report. Pages 26-28 of 38: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00005F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 5 - Criteria for Programs for the Disadvantaged
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Students--Disabled |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires that minimum academic qualifications for an educator certificate that requires a bachelor degree to require instruction in detection and education of students with dyslexia. Provides this does not apply to an individual obtaining a certificate through an alternative certification program. Requires continuing education requirements for an educator who teaches students with dyslexia to include training on new research and practices in educating students with dyslexia; provides this training may be offered in an online course. Specifies that unless otherwise provided by law, a K-12 or postsecondary student determined to have dyslexia during a dyslexia screening may not be retested for dyslexia for the purpose of reassessing the student's need for accommodations until the district or institution of higher education reevaluates the information obtained from previous testing of the student. Directs the Texas Education Agency to establish a committee to develop a plan for integrating technology into the classroom to help accommodate students with dyslexia. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00866F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 866
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Directs each institution of higher education to assist full-time postsecondary students who have been under the conservatorship of the department of family and protective services in locating temporary housing between academic terms, including summer session. Permits an academic institution to provide a stipend to cover temporary housing costs, or provide temporary housing directly to the student for the applicable period. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00452F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 452
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Students--International |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Requires public institutions of higher education to notify the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) regarding the withdrawal or nonattendance of certain foreign students. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01009F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1009
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Success |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Directs the higher education coordinating board to establish a method by September 2012 for assessing the quality and effectiveness of academic advising services available to students at each institution of higher education. Establishes parameters for the method of assessment. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00036F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 36
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Success--Completion |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Permits the coordinating board of higher education, in partnership with institutions of higher education, to enter into an agreement with nonprofit organizations to help the board identify and implement strategies to increase degree completion rates, including by (1) identifying and promoting innovative models, emerging technology platforms, and best practices for increasing degree completion rates in areas including developmental education, financial assistance, student support services, and transfer or articulation agreements; (2) providing data, research, and evaluation support to help the board assess the effectiveness of pilot
programs in increasing degree completion rates; (3) coordinating ongoing local, state, federal and philanthropic initiatives to increase degree completion rates; and (4) determining the extent of implementation and effectiveness of degree completion rate improvement models across a region or the state. Permits the board by rule to establish a grant program to fund projects, including a grant to a nonprofit organization, related to the improvement of degree completion rates.
Directs the board, by January 2012, to report a description of: (1) the types of nonprofit organizations eligible for a grant; (2) grants awarded; and (3) a survey of partnerships between other states and nonprofit organizations to increase degree completion rates, including identification of best practices. Pages 1-2 of 6: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02910F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2910 - Increasing Postsecondary Completion Rates
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Success--Completion |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Provides that this provision relates to a student enrolled in a general academic teaching institution (as defined in 61.003(3) http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ED/htm/ED.61.htm) who has transferred from or previously attended a lower-division institution of higher education (i.e., public two-year institution) after earning at least 30 credit hours at the lower-division institution, and who has successfully completed at least 90 cumulative credit hours. Requires the general academic teaching institution, as soon as practicable after such a student has met the aforementioned criteria, to request authorization from the student for the institution to release the student's transcript to the lower-division institution of higher education, to determine whether the student has earned the credits required for an associate degree from the lower-division institution of higher education. Requires the general academic teaching institution to release the transcript upon receipt of student authorization, and requires the lower-division institution of higher education to review the transcript. Permits the lower-division institution of higher education to award the student the degree if the lower-division institution of higher education determines the student has earned the credits required to receive an associate degree. Pages 3-4: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB03025F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 3025 - Credit Transfer for Associate Degree
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Defines "program evaluation" as related to developmental evaluation courses; provides that program evaluation provides a particular focus on their effectiveness and cost-efficiency. Requires that the higher education coordinating board prescribe a single standard or set of standards for each assessment instrument intended to diagnose a student's need for remediation, and that such instruments effectively
measure student readiness as demonstrated by current research. Provides that an institution that requires a student to enroll in developmental coursework must offer a range of developmental coursework, including online coursework, or instructional support that includes the integration of technology to efficiently address the student's particular developmental needs. Requires that an institution of higher education base developmental coursework on research-based best practices that include specified components. Directs the board of higher education to develop and provide professional development programs, including instruction in differentiated instruction methods designed to address students' diverse learning needs, to faculty/staff who provide developmental coursework. Requires that an institution determine when a student is ready to perform freshman-level coursework using learning outcomes for developmental education based on established college and career readiness standards and student performance on one or more appropriate assessments.
Permits an institution to exempt from the payment of tuition a student participating in an approved non-semester-length developmental education intervention (including course-based, non-course-based, alternative-entry/exit, and other intensive developmental education activities). Provides all provisions effective with the 2012-13 academic year. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01244F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1244
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Directs the higher education coordinating board to develop a statewide plan for developmental education, so as to serve students who require developmental education in an effective and cost-effective manner. Requires that the plan assign primary responsibility for developmental education to public junior colleges, public state colleges, and public technical institutes, and provide for using technology, to the greatest
extent practicable consistent with best practices, to provide developmental education to students. Directs the board to take certain actions in developing the plan, including studying and developing best practices for successful developmental education programs, including through use of pilot programs. Requires that developmental education under the plan include technological delivery, diagnostic assessments to determine specific student needs, modular developmental education course materials, use of tutors and instructional aides to supplement developmental course instruction as needed for particular students, an internal monitoring mechanism to identify a student's area of academic difficulty, periodic updates of developmental education course materials, and assessments after completion of a developmental education course to determine a student's readiness to enroll in freshman-level academic courses. Requires that the plan provide for ongoing training for developmental education program faculty members, tutors and instructional aides; adn ongoing research and improvement of appropriate developmental education programs, including participation by select faculty members to monitor program results, identify successful and unsuccessful components, and identify possible solutions to program problems. By December 2012, directs the board to submit a report to the governor, lieutenant governor and specified legislative leaders initial development of the developmental education plan, including any recommendations for redesign or reassignment of existing programs among institutions of higher education or implementation of new programs and, if appropriate, recommendations for legislation. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00162F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 162
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Directs the higher education coordinating board to encourage institutions of higher education to offer various types of developmental coursework that address various levels of deficiency in readiness for credit-bearing college coursework. Provides such developmental coursework may include course-based programs; non-course-based programs, such as advising programs; module format programs; competency-based programs; and programs under which the student is pairing or taking concurrently a developmental education course and another course in the same subject area for which course credit may be earned. Directs the board, in consultation with institutions of higher education, to use evidence-based studies and existing data to analyze (1) assessments in use or for potential use to comply with these provisions; (2) differentiated placements for developmental coursework based on student proficiencies or deficiencies; (3) whether certain funding formulas result in efficient and cost-effective implementation of
successful developmental education; and (4) whether certain provisions allowing students to forego taking placement exams should be retained. Requires the board to submit a report by December 2012 recommending, to the extent practicable, a statewide diagnostic standard assessment instrument that allows for specified outcomes, including the most effective use of formula funding with regard to developmental coursework targeted to students' needs.
Directs the higher education coordinating board to include in its periodic review of formulas recommendations for changes in funding formulas for developmental education programs based on the results of the aforementioned evidence-based studies and report. Pages 3-6 of 8: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB03468F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 3468 - Developmental Coursework and Statewide Diagnostic Assessment
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Promising Practices |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Creates the Texas High Performance Schools Consortium to inform the governor, legislature and commissioner on methods for transforming public schools by improving student learning through the development of innovative, next-generation learning standards and assessment and accountability systems. Permits the commissioner to select up to 20 participants (districts, campuses and open-enrollment charter schools), representing a range of district types, sizes, and diverse student populations. Specifies that charter schools must have been awarded an exemplary distinction designation in the preceding school year, and total student enrollment of all participants may not exceed 5% of all students in public schools in the state. Requires applicant districts and charter schools to submit a detailed plan designed to both support improved instruction of and learning by students and provide evidence of the accurate assessment of the quality of learning on campuses. Provides a school district's plan may designate the entire district or one or more campuses as proposed consortium participants. Specifies components plan must include. Directs the commissioner to adopt rules applicable to the consortium in accordance with specified principles, including (1) engagement of students in digital learning, (2) emphasis on learning standards that focus on high-priority standards identified in coordination with participating districts and charter schools, (3) use of multiple assessments of learning that may inform diverse stakeholders on an ongoing basis on whether learning is occurring and actions participants are taking to improve learning, and (4) reliance on local control. Directs the commissioner to convene consortium leaders periodically to discuss methods to transform learning opportunities for all students, build cross-district and cross-school support systems and training, and share best practices tools and processes. Permits the commissioner to charge a fee to a participating district or charter school to cover administrative costs. Directs the commissioner, with the assistance of participating districts and charter schools, to submit reports on the performance and progress of the consortium to the governor and the legislature by December 1, 2012, and by December 1, 2014.
Requires the first report to include any recommendation by the commissioner on legislative authorization for the commissioner to waive a prohibition, requirement, or restriction applicable to a consortium participant. Requires that report to also include a plan for an accountability system for consortium participants that balances academic excellence and local values to inspire learning and, at the state level, may incorporate use of a stratified random sampling of students or other objective methodology to hold consortium participants accountable while attempting to reduce the number of state assessment instruments required to be administered to students. Requires commissioner to seek a federal waiver if needed to to prepare for implementation of the plan if enacted by the legislature. Provides that provisions on reports due by December 1, 2012, and by December 1, 2014 expire January 2018.
Directs commissioner to adopt rules by January 2012. Requires the commissioner to make application forms available to districts and charter schools by March 2012, and for districts and charter schools to submit applications by June 2012. Requires the commissioner to select participants by July 2012, and for the consortium to begin operating by the beginning of the 2012-13 school year. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01557F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1557
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Permits a district to begin instruction before the fourth Monday of August at a single campus or at not more than 20% of campuses in the district if the district has an enrollment of 190,000 or more, provides with local funds additional days of instruction at the campus or at each of the multiple campuses, the campus(es) are undergoing comprehensive school reform, and a majority of the students at the campus or campuses are educationally disadvantaged. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01555F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1555
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Defines corporal punishment. Provides that if a district board of trustees adopts a policy permitting corporal punishment, a district educator may use corporal punishment as a form of discipline unless the student's parent has previously provided a written, signed statement prohibiting the use of coroporal punishment. Provides a parent would need to provide such statement on an annual basis. Permits a parent to revoke such statement at any time during the school year.
Defines "law enforcement duties". Requires school districts to electronically report to the Texas Education Agency on the use of restraint by a peace officer performing law enforcement duties on school property or during a school-sponsored or school-related activity.
Clarifies that the provision that a person commits an offense if, on school property or within 500 feet of school property, s/he intentionally disrupts the conduct of classes or other school activities, does not apply to a student in grade 6 or lower. Clarifies that the offense of disruption of transportation applies only if the offense occurred on a vehicle owned or operated by a county or independent school district. Provides that the disruption of transportation offense does not apply to a student in grade 6 or lower. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00359F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 359
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Establishes definition of bullying; includes expression through electronic means (cyberbullying). Permits staff development to include training in preventing, identifying, responding to, and reporting incidents of bullying. Permits the board of trustees to transfer a student who has engaged in bullying to another classroom in the campus, or another campus in the district. Directs the state board of education to adopt for the health curriculum, in consultation with the Texas School Safety Center, essential knowledge and skills that include evidence-based practices that will effectively address awareness, prevention, identification, self-defense in response to, and resolution of and intervention in bullying and harassment. Requires local boards to adopt a policy (1) prohibiting bullying, (2) prohibiting retaliation against those reporting incidents in good faith, (3) establishing parental notification procedures for bullies and their victims, (4) establishing the actions a student should take to obtain assistance and intervention in response to bullying, (5) setting out counseling options for bullies and their victims, and those witnessing bullying, (6) establishing procedures for reporting bullying, investigating a reported bullying incident, and determining whether the reported incident of bullying occurred; (7) prohibits the imposition of disciplinary measures on a student found to be a victim of bullying, if the student responded in self-defense; (8) requiring that discipline for bullying for a student with disabilities comply with federal law. Requires such policy to be included annually in the student and employee handbooks, and in the district improvement plan. Requires the procedure for reporting bullying to be posted on the district Web site. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01942F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1942
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Requires public and private institutions of higher education to establish emergency alert systems for students and staff, using e-mail or telephone notifications, by the spring 2012 semester. Establishes procedures. Permits a student or staff member to opt out of the emergency alert system. Requires that contact information for an emergency alert system be kept confidential. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02758F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2758
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Provides a student may be expelled if the student accesses a district-owned or -operated computer, computer network or computer system, and knowingly either alters, damages or deletes school district property or information, or commits a breach of any other computer, computer network or computer system. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01224F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1224
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
From fiscal note: Exempts a county with a population of 125,000 or greater from the requirement that expelled students and students meeting other mandatory placement requirements be placed in a Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP). The parameters stipulated in the bill appear to identify Ellis County.
Bill text: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00592F.pdf#navpanes=0
Fiscal note: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/fiscalnotes/pdf/HB00592F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 592
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires a superintendent or director of a school district to complete an investigation of an educator based on reasonable cause to believe the educator may have engaged in abuse or an unlawful act with a student or minor, despite the educator's resignation from district employment before completion of the investigation.
Provides that if a district or open enrollment charter school employee is employed under a probationary, continuing or term contract and the district or charter school receives notice that the employee's certificate has been revoked, or if the district or charter school becomes aware that such a person has been convicted of or received deferred adjudication for a felony offense, and the district has not receive notice that the person's license has been revoked, the district or school must suspend the person without pay, provide the person with written notice that the person's contract is void, and terminate the person's employment as soon as practicable. Provides that such action is not subject to appeal, and that notice and hearing requirements do not apply to the action.
Provides that a certified employee of a public or private K-12 school commits an offense if the employee engages in sexual contact, sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with a person the employee knows is enrolled in a school in the same district the employee works in, or a student participant in an educational activity sponsored by a district or a public or private K-12 school, if the employee provides education services to these participants. Provides circumstances that are an affirmative defense to prosecution.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01610F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1610
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Prohibits district boards or employees from requiring or coercing any employee to make a contribution to a charitable organization or in response to a fund-raiser, or attend a meeting to solicit charitable contributions. Also prohibits district boards or employees from requiring or coercing any school district employee to refrain from making a contribution to a charitable organization or in response to a fund-raiser, or attend a meeting to solicit charitable contributions. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01682F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1682
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Prohibits the board of trustees of an independent school district from using district funds, property, employees or other resources, or acquiring property for the design, construction, renovation, or operation of a hotel. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00764F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 764
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Food Service |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Unless the department of agriculture grants a school district a waiver, requires a district in which at least 50% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch to provide a summer nutrition program for at least 30 days during the summer. Requires the department to annually notify each district of its responsibility concerning provision of a summer nutrition program for the following summer recess. Requires a district that intends to request a waiver to send written notice of the district's intent to the district's local school health advisory council by November 30, providing an explanation of the district's reason for requesting a waiver. Requires each district to notify the department by January 31 that the district either intends to provide a summer nutrition program or is requesting a waiver. Establishes criteria a district must meet for the department to issue a waiver. Provides a waiver is for a one-year period. Directs the department to report every other year to the legislature on district compliance with these provisions; identifying the funds, other than federal funds, used by school districts and the state in complying with these provisions; and identifying the total amount of any profit made or loss incurred through summer nutrition programs under these provisions. Requires the most recent version of this report to be maintained on the department of agriculture Web site. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00089F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 89
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching) |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires that a marriage and family therapist employed by a district be licensed by the state agency that licenses that profession. Provides a grandfather clause for marriage and family therapist employed by a district before September 2011. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01386F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1386 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching) |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Specifies that contracting or subcontracting entities may not allow an employee to provide services at a school if the employee has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that would by statute prevent a person from being employed by a district, charter school or shared services agreement (previous provision prohibited contractor from providing services if individual's felony or misdemeanor conviction would by statute prevent him/her from obtaining certification). http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01042F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1042
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Permits a school district to use transportation allotment funds to provide bus passes or cards to students for whom the district's regular transportation system is not a feasible method of providing transportation.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB03506F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 3506
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Repeals provision directing the Texas Education Agency to annually disseminate to each district a list of districts that for two consecutive years maintain a ratio of full-time equivalent students placed in partially or totally self-contained classrooms to the number of full-time equivalent students placed in resource room or mainstream arrangements that is 25% higher than the statewide average ratio. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01130F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1130
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the Texas Education Agency to develop and implement a statewide plan to ensure that each district develops a process for regular classroom teachers teaching a student with a disability to request a review of the student's individualized education program (IEP). Requires that the statewide plan provide for the district must provide a timely response to the teacher's request, and for the student's parent or guardian to be notified of that response. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01335F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1335
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires that to be eligible to be issued a certificate to teach students with visual impairments, a person must (1) complete all coursework required by an approved educator preparation program or complete approved alternative certification program, (2) perform satisfactorily on each examination prescribed by statute for certification to teach students with visual impairments, after completing the educator preparation program or alternative program, and (3) satisfy any other requirements prescribed by the board. Provides that the coursework or alternative education program requirement does not apply if the application for
the initial certificate was submitted by September 1, 2011. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00054F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 54
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the Texas Education Agency to develop a model form for districts to elect to use in developing an individualized education program (IEP). Provides the form may include only specified information. Requires that the form be posted to the agency Web site. Adds provision that the written statement of a student's IEP may be required to include only information included in the model form. Adds section requiring that appropriate state transition planning begin not later than when the student reaches 14 years of age. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01788F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1788
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Special Populations--Foster Care |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs each district to appoint at least one employee to act as a liaison officer to facilitate the enrollment in or transfer to a public school of a child who is in the conservatorship of the state. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00826F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 826
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
STEM |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Establishes the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (T-STEM) Challenge Scholarship program. Establishes initial and continuing student eligibility criteria, including that a student work no more than 15 hours a week for a business participating in the program. Provides that an eligible institution is a public junior college or public technical institute that admits at least 50 students into a STEM program each academic year, and develops partnerships with business and industry to identify local employment needs in STEM fields and provide part-time employment for students. For an institution to maintain program eligibility, it must demonstrate that at least 70% of its T-STEM Challenge Scholarship graduates, within 3 months after graduation, are employed by a business in a STEM field, or enrolled in upper-division courses towards a bachelor's degree in a STEM field. Requires that at least 50% of scholarship funds come from private funds. Provides a student may receive a scholarship for not more than two academic years.
Page 3-5: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02910F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2910 - T-STEM Challenge Scholarship Program
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Prohibits a district from using football helmets that are 16 years old or older in its football program. Requires districts to ensure that each helmet used in its football program that is 10 years old or older is reconditioned at least every two years. Requires districts to maintain and make available to parents documentation of the age of each football helmet's age and the dates on which each helmet 10 years old or older was reconditioned. Permits the University Interscholastic League to adopt rules necessary to implement these provisions. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00675F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 675
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Prohibits the legislative council of the University Interscholastic League (http://www.uiltexas.org/) from taking final action on a new or amended rule that would result in additional costs for a member school unless a fiscal impact statement regarding the rule has been completed in accordance with specified provisions. Provides that if a fiscal impact statement is prepared for a rule, a copy must be attached to the rule when it is
submitted for approval to school superintendents, if applicable, and when it is submitted to the commissioner for approval. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01286F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1286
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Provides that an educator's certificate is not considered to have expired if the employee has completed the requirements for renewal of the certificate or permit, the employee submitted the request for renewal
prior to the expiration date, and the date the certificate or permit would have expired is before the date the state board for educator certification takes action to approve the renewal of the certificate or permit. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB01334F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 1334
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Permits a person who voluntarily accepts an assignment that requires a different class of certificate than the one held in the person's previous professional capacity to be employed under a probationary contract. Provides this provision does not apply to a person returning to an earlier-held professional capacity in a district. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB02380F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 2380
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Permits a school district employee whose resignation is effective after the last day of an instructional year to participate in the uniform group coverage plan or the group health coverage through the last calendar day before the first day of the instructional year immediately following the last instructional year in which the employee was employed by the district, if this date is earlier than the first anniversary of the date participation in or coverage under the uniform group coverage plan or the group health coverage was first made available to district employees for the last instructional year in which the employee was employed by the district (employee is entitled to be enrolled in the health plan to the earlier of the two dates). http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00155F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 155
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board in its notice of the review and adoption cycle for textbooks to specify that publishers of adopted textbooks for a grade level other than prekindergarten to submit an electronic sample of the textbook; prohibits them from submitting a print sample copy. Requires publishers to provide districts with electronic samples rather than print samples of adopted textbooks. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00391F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 391
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
From fiscal note: Generally, the criminal offenses of failure to attend school and parent contributing to nonattendance are adjudicated in justice and municipal courts. However, under current law, in counties with
populations of 2 million or more (Harris and Dallas counties), an option exists to file these cases in the constitutional county court. The bill expands this option to counties with populations of 1.75 million or more adding Tarrant County to the counties so authorized.
Bill text: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00734F.pdf#navpanes=0
Fiscal note: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/fiscalnotes/pdf/HB00734E.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 734
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Adopted 05/2011 |
P-12 |
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) proposes the repeal of and new s.62.1071, concerning the equalized wealth level. The section establishes provisions relating to the administration of wealth equalization. The proposed repeal would remove outdated provisions from rule. The proposed new section would replace those outdated provisions with a manual on wealth equalization requirements that would be updated and adopted as a part of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) each year. TEXAS REG 250992
Title: 19 TAC 62.1071
Source: Westlaw/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
Postsec. |
Relates to the vaccination against bacterial meningitis of entering students at public and private or independent institutions of higher education. Requires vaccination of all entering students (rather than first-time students), unless the student is at least 30 years old or enrolled only in online or other distance learning courses. Defines "entering student". Clarifies procedures for a student to verify that s/he has received a vaccination or booster. Requires that postsecondary institutions provide students, before their initial enrollment, written notice of student or parent's right to claim an exemption from the vaccination requirement and of the importance of consulting a physician about the need for immunization to prevent the disease. Specifies that board of higher education rules must provide that the vaccination be received no later than the 10th day before the first day of the semester/term in which the student initially enrolls, unless the student is granted an extension by the institution. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01107F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1107
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Minority/Diversity Issues |
Became law without governor's signature 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Interagency Council for Addressing Disproportionality to: (1) Examine the level of disproportionate involvement of children who are racial/ethnic minorities at each stage in the juvenile justice, child welfare and mental health systems; (2) Examine issues relating to the disproportionate delivery of various educational services to children who are racial/ethnic minorities in the education system; (3) make recommendations to reduce the involvement of children who are racial/ethnic minorities in the juvenile justice, child welfare and mental health systems and improve the children's success in the education system; and (4) Assist the Health and Human Services Commission in eliminating health and health access disparities in Texas among racial, multicultural, disadvantaged, ethnic and regional populations. Establishes the composition of the council and requires the council to meet at least quarterly. Sets forth the duties of the council, including reviewing current best practice standards addressing the disproportionate use of children's services by children who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group. Directs the council by December 2012 to prepare a report with the council's findings and recommendations for addressing the disproportionate representation of children who are racial/ethnic minorities in the use of children's services and the council's recommendation as to whether to continue the council. Provides these provisions expire December 1, 2013. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB00501F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 501
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Adopted 05/2011 |
Postsec. |
Defines terms, including "doctoral graduation rate", "graduate placement" and "master's graduation rate". Provides that if the minimum number of credit hours required to complete a bachelor degree program exceeds 120, the institution must provide a compelling academic reason. Provides the higher education coordinating board will review the documentation provided and make a determination to approve or deny a request to exceed the 120-hour limit. Requires each public university and health-related institution to review all doctoral and master's programs at least once every 7 years. Provides processes and criteria for such reviews. Provides that the criteria by which master's and doctoral programs will be evaluated include student graduation rate, and that graduate placement (i.e., employment or further education/training) is one of the criteria for evaluating master's programs. Sections 5.43 and 5.44 adopted as published in the February 11, 2011 Texas Register (page 5 of 68): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0211/0211prop.pdf. Section 5.52 adopted as published in the May 20, 2011 Texas Register (pages 7-9 of 21): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0520/0520adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 5.43, 44, 52
Source: |
Postsecondary Online Instruction |
Adopted 05/2011 |
Postsec. |
Clarifies the process by which previously approved doctoral programs at public institutions may be approved for distance delivery (including off-campus or as a self-supporting program). Presently, any doctoral program wishing to be delivered by such means must receive board of higher education approval prior to offering the program. The proposed changes will enable institutions approved to offer a doctoral program to do so via a distance education modality, off-campus or as a self-supporting program with the approval of the commissioner of higher education or his/her designee. Adopted as published in February 11, 2011 Texas Register (pages 3 and 4 of 68): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0211/0211prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 4.261 and 4.275
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation |
Adopted 05/2011 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Replaces references to "statewide articulated transfer curriculum" with those for "voluntary statewide transfer compact". Permits public two-year colleges to award an academic certificate to students who complete 50% of the curriculum specified in a voluntary statewide transfer compact. Adopted as published in the March 18, 2011 Texas Register (page 18 of 35): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0318/0318prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 9.1, 9.183, 185
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Relating to membership of the state continuing advisory committee for special education services. Requires that at least one member be a director of special education programs for a school district or for a shared
services arrangement of multiple school districts. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00861F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: H.B. 861
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
State Longitudinal Data Systems |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
Postsec. |
Provides that information is excepted from public disclosure laws if it is collected or produced by a systemwide compliance office for the purpose of reviewing compliance processes at a university system's member institution. Provides that information that is confidential or excepted from public disclosure may be made available to (1) a governmental agency responsible for investigating a matter that is the subject of a compliance report, including the Texas Workforce Commission civil rights division or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; or (2) an officer or employee of an institution of higher education or a compliance officer or employee of a university system administration who is responsible under institutional or system policy for a compliance program investigation or for reviewing a compliance program investigation. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/SB01327F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1327
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional |
Adopted 02/2011 |
Postsec. |
Adds an additional criterion for the approval of new doctoral degree programs. Stipulates that the most recent six-year baccalaureate degree graduation rate must equal or exceed the most recent six-year statewide average baccalaureate degree graduation rate. For the purposes of the amendment, baccalaureate degree graduation rates at Texas AandM University and The University of Texas at Austin are not included in the calculation of the statewide average six-year baccalaureate degree graduation rate. Pages 4-6 of 246: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0218/0218adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 5.46
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Special Populations--Corrections Education |
Adopted 02/2011 |
P-12 |
Establishes minimum operational, programmatic, and educational standards for juvenile justice alternative education programs. Section 348.202 provides for an annual performance evaluation, 348.204 provides for assessment reliability and safeguards, and 348.206 provides for biennial performance reports.
With the exception of 348.101, adopted as published in the December 10, 2010 Texas Register (pages 118-128 of 146): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1210/1210prop.pdf
Title: 37 TAC 348.100, 101, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 200, 202, 204, 206
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Accountability |
Adopted 01/2011 |
P-12 |
From the January 28, 2011 Texas Register: The sections establish provisions that detail the ratings, types of ratings, criteria, reporting and sanctions for the financial accountability rating system. Amendments update the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (School FIRST) by specifying new provisions for implementation beginning with fiscal year 2010-11, including the deletion of one non-critical school district indicator and the addition of 18 open-enrollment charter school indicators, along with new rating worksheets and calculations that reflect these changes. The amendments to the rating system better align School FIRST for the two types of entities and clarify certain aspects of the School FIRST calculations. Additionally, the adopted amendments establish a process for lowering a financial accountability rating after initial assignment if determined necessary by the commissioner.
109.1002: Financial Accountability Ratings. Adopted as published on pp 12-13 of the January 28, 2011 Texas Register: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0128/0128adop.pdf
109.1003: Types of Financial Accountability Ratings. Adopted as published on pp. 18-19 of the October 22, 2010 Texas Register: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1022/1022prop.pdf
109.1004: Criteria for Financial Accountability Ratings. Adopted as published on p. 19 of the October 22, 2010 Texas Register: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1022/1022prop.pdf
109.1005: Reporting. Adopted as published on pp 13-14 of the January 28, 2011 Texas Register: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0128/0128adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 109.1002, 1003, 1004, 1005
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Adopted 01/2011 |
P-12 |
Specifies graduation requirements for students receiving special education services. Reflects changes to assessment and curriculum requirements for graduation for students receiving special education services as required by House Bill (HB) 3, 81st Texas Legislature, 2009. Provides that students must complete the state's or district's (whichever is greater) required standards through courses that may contain modified content aligned to the standards required under the minimum high school program and the minimum high school program course requirements, including participation in required state assessments. Requires that the student also successfully complete the student's individualized education program (IEP) and meet one of several specified conditions, consistent with the IEP.
Repeals existing language providing that a student receiving special education services may receive a regular high school diploma when the student's ARD committee determines the student has met any of specified criteria, including simply completing the student's individualized education program (IEP).
Adopted as proposed in the October 15, 2010 Texas Register (pp 29-31): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1015/1015prop.pdf.
Title: 19 TAC 89.1070
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Finance--District |
Adopted 12/2010 |
P-12 |
Establishes new s.109.1101, concerning financial solvency. Per the mandate in Section 39.0822 as established in 2009 H.B. 3, creates a financial solvency review process for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to use in assessing the future financial solvency of districts and open-enrollment charter schools, to alert districts and charter schools to circumstances that could lead to financial insolvency. Identifies types of data that must be reviewed in the process. Specifies that the TEA must notify the district or charter school if the financial solvency review shows (A) a student-to-staff ratio that is significantly outside the norm; (B) a rapid depletion of the general fund balance; or (C) a significant discrepancy between submitted budget figures and projected revenues and expenditures.
Pages 34-37 of 197: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1217/1217adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 109.1101
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Special Education |
Adopted 12/2010 |
P-12 |
Creates new s.97.1072, concerning residential facility monitoring. Implements the requirements of the Texas Education Code (TEC), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004) Amendments of 2004, and 34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which require the agency to adopt and implement a comprehensive system for monitoring school district compliance with federal and state laws relating to special education. Specifically, the new language establishes procedures for the administration of residential facility (RF) monitoring for public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools related to programs provided to students with disabilities residing in RFs. Alsos adopt in rule the Residential Facility Monitoring (RFM) Manual, dated August 2010. Adopted as published in the October 8, 2010 Texas Register (pp. 8-10 of 59): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1008/1008prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 97.1072
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Adopted 11/2010 |
Postsec. |
Provides new s.s.22.21 - 22.32 concerning Provisions for the Tuition Equalization Grant Program. Specifically, the new sections replace repealed s.s.22.21 - 22.35. The new sections separate and clarify program requirements for students who receive awards> awards are received on or after September 1, 2005, fall under the provisions of the new, or '2006 Revised TEG Program,' requirements; students whose initial awards were received prior to September 1, 2005, fall under the provisions of the old, or 'Original TEG Program.' The new sections also describe the authority and purpose of the program, provide definitions of terms, and outline general program guidelines. Adopted as published in the August 20, 2010 Texas Register (pp. 3-8): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0820/0820prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 22.21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance--Facilities |
Adopted 11/2010 |
Postsec. |
Makes necessary changes to existing definitions to implement modified reporting and standard changes regarding deferred maintenance and critical deferred maintenance on postsecondary campuses. Adopted as proposed in the August 27, 2010 Texas Register (pp. 2-5 of 90): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0827/0827prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 17.3
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance--Facilities |
Adopted 11/2010 |
Postsec. |
Makes necessary changes to direct the reporting of information pertaining to the physical condition of facilities and infrastructure by the higher education coordinating board. Additionally enables the coordinating board staff to direct the data collection effort to fill expanded requirements for data regarding facilities and maintenance expenditures. This is essential to facilitate implementation of new reporting and standards in regards to planned maintenance, facility adaptation, deferred maintenance and critical deferred maintenance. Adopted as published in the August 27, 2010 Texas Register (pp. 8-10 of 90): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0827/0827prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 17.100, 101
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional |
Adopted 11/2010 |
Postsec. |
Sections 5.43, .44, .52: Adds a definition of new doctoral degree programs, revises the requirements for submitting administrative change requests, adds doctoral degree program audits for public institutions of higher education and health-related institutions, and reorganizes information for clarity. Section 5.44 adopted as published in November 26, 2010 Texas Register (pages 2-3 of 21): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1126/1126adop.pdf. Sections 5.43 and .52 adopted as published in the August 13, 2010 Texas Register (pages 12-13 of 156): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0813/0813prop.pdf
Sections 5.53, .54: New sections establish the authority for quality and effectiveness audits of new doctoral degree programs, and establish a procedure for handling instances of noncompliance with conditions of approval of new doctoral degree programs. Adopted as published in the August 13, 2010 Texas Register (pages 13-14 of 156): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0813/0813prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 5.53, 54
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Adopted 08/2010 |
P-12 |
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) proposes an amendment to s.250.1, the repeal of s.s.250.2, 250.3, 250.20, 250.30- 250.34, and 250.40-250.49, and new s.250.3 and s.250.20, concerning provisions for administration. The sections provide for rules that establish guidelines and procedures for purchasing, rulemaking, training and education for employees, and negotiation and mediation procedures relating to certain contract disputes. Adopted as published in the May 7, 2010 Texas Register (pp 25-30 of 72): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0507/0507prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 250.1, 2, 3, 20, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49
Source: Westlaw/StateNet |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Adopted 08/2010 |
P-12 |
Section 74.23: Correspondence Courses and Distance Learning: Updates section to make clear that students may earn course credit via online courses and the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN).
Section 74.29: Texas Advanced Placement Incentive Program: Clarifies a provision that a school participating in the program is eligible for an award of up to $450 to reimburse a teacher or pay for a teacher to complete approved College Board Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate training. Adds a provision that the principal of each participating school must convene a team of 3-5 teachers at least annually to the use of funds awarded through the program.
Adopts provisions as proposed in the June 18, 2010 Texas Register (beginning p. 5 of 52): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0618/0618prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 74.23, 29
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Reading/Literacy |
Adopted 08/2010 |
P-12 |
2007 H.B. 1270 requires an intensive reading and language intervention pilot program that had been permissive, and directs the commissioner to adopt rules to implement the program. Adopted as published in the March 26, 2010 Texas Register (pp 92-93 of 151): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0326/0326prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 102.1057
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Measures/Indicators |
Adopted 07/2010 |
P-12 |
Makes various changes to state accountability provisions. Language below primarily from July 23, 2010 Texas Register.
97.1051: Amends definitions. Changes the definition of "campus closure" to remove references to "repurposing," which is now defined in statute.
97.1053: Purpose, updates statutory references in alignment with 2009 H.B. 3.
97.1055: Clarifies the process for assigning accreditation statuses during the period of transition to new H.B. 3 requirements. Adds new language regarding when an accreditation status may be raised or lowered based on the performance of the district or one or more campuses in the district. Also states how the statutory requirements related to a financial solvency review and projected deficit affect accreditation statuses. In addition, the adopted amendment incorporates current agency procedures for completing the asset-to-liability calculation for the purposes of charter financial accountability. Language is added, providing an additional method for districts to meet the notification requirements related to a lowered accreditation status.
97.1057: Accreditation Sanctions. Updates statutory references and adds information regarding the factors the commissioner must consider in determining whether to impose a particular sanction based on resource allocation practices.
97.1059: Standards for All Accreditation Sanction Determinations. Updates statutory references and adds language to reflect statutory requirements regarding the commissioner's obligation to review the performance of a district. Specifically, the commissioner must review at least annually the performance of a district for which the accreditation status has been lowered due to insufficient student performance. The adopted amendment also requires the commissioner to increase sanctions if a lack of improvement is shown unless there is good cause not to do so.
97.1061: Interventions and Sanctions for Campuses. Adds language to align with new statutory requirements related to campuses that satisfy current performance standards under TEC, §39.054(e), but that would not satisfy performance standards if the standards to be used for the following school year were applied to the current school year. Also adds language to align with new statutory requirements for intervening with and sanctioning campuses with performance below any standard under TEC, §39.054(e), including requirements relating to a hearing and a school community partnership team (SCPT). Adds new statutory language that allows the commissioner to accept certain interventions that a campus has implemented under federal accountability requirements in lieu of required state measures if the intervention measures are substantially similar.
97.1063: Campus Intervention Team; Reconstitution. Implements the provisions of HB 3 related to campuses below any standard under TEC, §39.054(e), and the assignment of a campus intervention team (CIT) to those campuses. Defines the duties and responsibilities of the CIT, including responsibilities to conduct a targeted on-site needs assessment relevant to the areas of insufficient performance or, if the commissioner determines necessary, a comprehensive on-site needs assessment. Also outlines requirements related to the development and submission of a school improvement plan (SIP) by a campus and establishes timelines for how long the CIT will be assigned to a campus. Outlines requirements related to the involvement of the board of trustees of a school district in conducting a hearing to notify the public of the insufficient performance of one or more campuses within the district, the improvements expected by the agency for the campus(es), and the intervention measures or sanctions that may be imposed under the subchapter if performance does not improve. Also details requirements related to public posting of the SIP and, as appropriate, modification of the SIP in response to public comment. Further notes that the commissioner may authorize a SIP or updated SIP developed under 19 TAC Chapter 97, Subchapter EE, to supersede the provisions of and satisfy the requirements of developing, reviewing, and revising a campus improvement plan under TEC, Chapter 11, Subchapter F. Also specifies actions that the commissioner may take if the commissioner determines that a campus for which an intervention is ordered is not fully implementing the CIT's recommendations or the SIP or updated SIP.
References and requirements related to the School Leadership Pilot Program are stricken from 19 TAC §97.1063 in alignment with changes in HB 3. Language is added to this section to clarify that, if assigned by the commissioner, a SCPT may supersede the authority of and satisfy the requirements of establishing and maintaining a campus-level planning and decision-making committee under TEC, Chapter 11, Subchapter F. The section title is also changed.
97.1064: Reconstitution, updates and relocates reconstitution requirements that previously were reflected in 19 TAC §97.1063. Continues to state the timelines under which a campus will be ordered to undergo reconstitution and describes the role of the CIT in updating and seeking approval of the SIP. Continues to include language regarding the authority of the CIT to determine which educators may be retained at a reconstituted campus but revises language in accordance with HB 3 to describe circumstances surrounding a CIT's determination related to the retention of the principal at a campus that is undergoing reconstitution. Continues to describe the authority of the commissioner to assign a monitor, conservator, management team, or board of managers to ensure and oversee district and campus-level activities related to required intervention and sanction activities and outlines factors the commissioner must take into consideration when appointing individuals to serve in these roles. References the authority of the commissioner to impose on a district or campus certain other sanctions that are reasonably required and addresses the role of the district in successful campus reconstitution.
97.1065: Campus Closure or Alternative Management. Changes the section title. Implements the provisions of HB 3 related to circumstances under which the commissioner may, or is required to, order certain sanctions for campuses with insufficient performance over multiple years. Specifically, revises the timeline under which the commissioner is required to order a sanction for certain campuses and adds repurposing, in addition to campus closure and alternative management, as one of the sanctions that must be ordered by the commissioner. Also establishes that repurposing, alternative management, or campus closure may be ordered for a multi-year unacceptable campus if students fail to demonstrate substantial improvement in the areas targeted by an updated SIP. Furthermore, establishes that re-purposing, alternative management, or campus closure will be ordered if a campus has been identified as unacceptable for the third, as opposed to second, consecutive year after reconstitution is required to be implemented, thus adding an additional year to the mandatory intervention timeline previously established in statute. Additionally, provides for a one-year waiver of these required sanctions if the commissioner determines that, based on significant improvement over the preceding two school years, the campus is likely to be acceptable in the following year. Also establishes the requirements that must be met before the commissioner can approve a plan for campus repurposing and includes parameters that may be considered by the commissioner when determining whether to order repurposing, alternative management, or campus closure when one of these sanctions is required. Also outlines requirements and procedures for the district to appeal the commissioner's order of repurposing, alternative management, or campus closure and outlines other sanction actions that the commissioner may impose to achieve the purposes outlined in TEC, Chapter 39, and 19 TAC Chapter 97, Subchapter EE.
97.1067: Updates statutory references in alignment with HB 3.
97.1069: Providers of Alternative Campus Management. Updates requirements to align with HB 3 by allowing the commissioner to solicit proposals from qualified for-profit entities to assume alternative management of a campus if a non-profit entity has not responded to the commissioner's request for qualifications.
97.1071: Special Program Performance; Intervention Stages. Updates statutory references in alignment with HB 3.
97.1073: Appointment of Monitor, Conservator, or Board of Managers. Updates statutory references to provide clarity and align with HB 3.
Sections 97.1051 and 97.1055 adopted as published in the July 23, 2010 Texas Register (pp 24-28 of 34): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0723/0723adop.pdf
The amendments to §§97.1053, 97.1057, 97.1059, 97.1063, 97.1065, 97.1067, 97.1069, 97.1071, and 97.1073; the repeal of §97.1061; and new §97.1061 and §97.1064 are adopted as published in the April 23, 2010 Texas Register (pp 18-32 of 98): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0423/0423prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 97.1051, 1053, 1055, 1057, 1059, 1061, 1063, 1064, 1065, 1067, 1069, 1071, 1073
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Measures/Indicators |
Adopted 07/2010 |
P-12 |
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) proposes an amendment to s.97.1005, concerning accountability and performance monitoring. The section describes the purpose of the Performance-Based Monitoring Analysis System (PBMAS) and manner in which school districts and charter school performance is reported. The section also adopts the most recently published PBMAS Manual. The proposed amendment would adopt applicable excerpts of the Performance-Based Monitoring Analysis System 2010 Manual. Earlier versions of the manual will remain in effect with respect to the school years for which they were developed. Adopted as published in the July 30, 2010 Texas Register (pp 5-10 of 51): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0730/0730adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 97.1005
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Adopted 07/2010 |
P-12 |
Provides that students must be awarded at least one-half credit for each semester of a concurrent enrollment course successfully completed. Adds new math courses, including career and technical education (CTE) courses, to the list of courses that count for high school mathematics credit. Adopted as published in the April 2, 2010, issue of the Texas Register (pages 15-16 of 43): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0402/0402prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 111.52, 60, 61
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Rewards |
Adopted 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Establishes procedures and adopts guidelines for the administration of awards for teacher excellence. Incorporates statutory changes resulting from H.B. 3646, 81st Texas Legislature, 2009. Pages 1-6 of 182: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0618/0618adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 102.1073
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Adult Basic Education |
Adopted 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Primarily from Texas Register:
Amends provisions to accommodate the 2009 General Appropriations Act (SB 1), which requires that a new funding formula be allocated based on need for persons beyond the age of compulsory attendance who have not received a high school diploma and paid based on student performance and contact hours. (Statutory authority for rule action relating to adult education remains with the state board of education.) Rules relating to definitions, use of funds, essential program components, and the advisory committee are amended. New rules are added to address the new funding structure to be implemented beginning with school year 2010-2011, including allocation of funds, payment of funds and match requirements. New rules are also added to establish provisions relating to potential grantees, revocation and recovery of funds.
The proposed rule actions would reflect changes resulting from the General Appropriations Act, Senate Bill (SB) 1, Article III, Rider 46, 81st Texas Legislature, 2009. Adopted as published in the April 2, 2010 Texas Register (pp 10-13 of 43): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0402/0402prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 89.21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Adopted 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Replaces references to "career and technology education" with "career and technical education". Adds provision stating purpose and goals of career and technical education. Names career and technical student organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and Texas Education Agency.
Adopted as published in the December 25, 2009 Texas Register (pp 4-6 of 116): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1225/1225prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 75.1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1031
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Governance--Ethics/Conflict of Interest |
Adopted 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Amends s.33.5, concerning the code of ethics policy for managing and investing the Texas Permanent School Fund. Section 33.5 establishes procedures and requirements for a code of ethics policy relating to the Texas Permanent School Fund. The amendment clarifies and updates the code of ethics policy. Pages 11-19 of 64: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0625/0625adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 33.5
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Adopted 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Amends provisions relating to high school graduation requirements. Section 74.51 relates to minimum, recommended and advanced programs, and provides that courses offered for dual credit in the core curriculum of an institution of higher education that cover all of the essential knowledge and skills for a course required for graduation may be substituted for English language arts, math, science, social studies and languages other than English in all three high school graduation programs.
Section 74.52 (minimum high school program through Class of 2010): Reduces physical education requirement from 1.5 units to 1 unit. Eliminates provision that a student may not earn more than two credits in physical education toward state graduation requirements. Amends courses and substitutions that may count toward p.e. requirement (i.e., adds provision that specified substitutions for p.e. such as JROTC, drill team, marching band and cheerleading must include at least 100 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per 5-day school week; adds provision that credit may not be earned more than once for any of 4 specified p.e. courses, and that no more than 4 substitution credits may be earned through any combination of substitutions allowed). Eliminates .5 credit "health education" requirement and 1 credit "technology applications" requirement. Increases electives requirement from 5.5 units to 7.5 units.
Section 74.53 (recommended high school program through Class of 2010): Makes same p.e. revisions. Eliminates .5 "health education" requirement and 1 credit "technology applications" requirement. Increases elective requirement from 3.5 to 5.5 units.
Section 74.54 (distinguished high school program through Class of 2010): Makes same p.e. revisions. Eliminates .5 "health education" requirement and 1 credit "technology applications" requirement. Increases elective requirement from 2.5 to 4.5 units.
Section 74.61 (Graduation requirements eff. Class of 2011): Provides that if an admission, review and dismissal committee makes decisions that place a student with a disability on a modified curriculum in a subject area, the student will be automatically placed in the minimum high school program. Provides that high school courses courses successfully completed prior to Grade 9 and the 2007-08 school year must count toward graduation for credit in the year the course is completed. Clarifies language regarding courses from which elective credits may be chosen (i.e., that elective credits may not be courses required for graduation). Specifies that science and physical education (p.e.) graduation requirements completed before the 2010-11 school year must count toward graduation in the manner established at the time the credit was earned; p.e. graduation requirements completed through a two- or three-credit CTE work-based training course before the 2011-12 school year must count toward graduation.
Section 74.62 (minimum high school program eff. Class of 2011): Makes clear that specified Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and CTE courses may count toward completion of English and math graduation requirements. Reduces p.e. requirement from 1.5 to 1 unit. Clarifies that up to one credit may be earned through participation in drill team, marching band or cheerleading (substitutions were formerly subject to local discretion). Eliminates language allowing p.e. credit to be earned through career and technology work-based training courses. Eliminates .5 credit "health education" requirement and 1 credit "technology applications" requirement. Adds 1 credit fine arts requirement. Changes elective requirement from 5.5 credits to 7.5 credits.
Section 74.63 (recommended high school program eff. Class of 2011): Makes clear that specified CTE courses may count toward completion of math graduation requirements. Specifies science courses students may choose from for fourth science credit. Reduces p.e. requirement from 1.5 to 1 unit; makes other changes to p.e. requirement as made to p.e. requirement for minimum high school program. Adds provision that if a student is unable to comply with all requirements for a p.e. course due to a physical limitation, a modification does not prohibit a student from earning a Recommended High School Program diploma. Eliminates .5 credit "health education" requirement and 1 credit "technology applications" requirement. Specifies fine arts courses students may choose from for fine arts credit. Increases elective requirement from 3.5 to 5.5 credits.
Section 74.64 (distinguished high school program eff. Class of 2011): Makes clear that specified AP, IB and CTE courses may count toward completion of math graduation requirements, and that specified CTE courses may count toward completion of science graduation requirements. Reduces p.e. requirement from 1.5 to 1 unit; makes other changes to p.e. requirement as made to p.e. requirement for minimum high school program. Eliminates .5 credit "health education" requirement and 1 credit "technology applications" requirement. Specifies fine arts courses students may choose from for fine arts credit. Increases elective requirement from 2.5 to 4.5 credits.
Section 74.51 adopted as published in the December 11, 2009 Texas Register (p. 14 of 50): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1211/1211prop.pdf
Sections 74.52-74.54 (Graduation Requirements Beginning with School Year 2004-05) and 74.61-74.64 (Graduation Requirements Beginning with School Year adopted as published in the June 25, 2010 Texas Register (pp 25-38 of 64): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0625/0625adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 74.51, 52, 53, 54, 61, 62, 63, 64
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance |
Adopted 05/2010 |
P-12 |
Updates the financial accountability rating system by specifying new provisions that will be implemented beginning with ratings based on data from fiscal year 2008-09, including a new worksheet and calculations. Also incorporates open-enrollment charter schools into the School FIRST system. Adopted as proposed in the March 26, 2010 Register (pages 93-97 of 151): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0326/0326prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 109.1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Adopted 05/2010 |
Postsec. |
H.B. 3519, 81st Texas Legislature, amended the Labor Code by adding s.305.003, mandating that the Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission enter into a Memorandum of Understanding for the coordination and administration of the Texas Career Opportunity Grant Program, which reduces the financial barriers to postsecondary career education and training for economically disadvantaged Texans.
The new sections of administrative code describe the authority and purpose of the program, provide definitions of terms used, outline program award amounts and limits, and set forth requirements whereby students may qualify to receive a grant. The new sections also outline institutional agreement requirements, including annual reports to the Coordinating Board. Sections 22.181, 22.183, 22.186, and 22.187 are adopted as published in the February 19, 2010 Texas Register (pp 5-7 of 55): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0219/0219prop.pdf. Sections 22.182, 22.184, 22.185, and 22.188 adopted as published in the May 21, 2010 Texas Register (pp 14-15 of 46): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0521/0521adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 22.181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary |
Adopted 05/2010 |
Postsec. |
Establishes new sections 4.285 - 4.293, which establish procedures for annual review of the number of graduates produced by degree programs at institutions of higher education to determine which are low-producing degree programs, and provides remedies for those programs that meet the definition of low-producing.
Sections 4.285, 4.286 and 4.292 are adopted as published in the January 8, 2010 issue of the Texas Register (pp 26-27 of 52): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0108/0108prop.pdf
Sections 4.287-4.291 are adopted as published in the May 21 issue of the Texas Register (pp 5-6 of 46): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0521/0521adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 4.285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures--State Executives/State Agencies |
Adopted 05/2010 |
Postsec. |
Allows the commissioner of higher education to waive s.s.4.51 - 4.60 of Coordinating Board rules (governing the Texas Success Initiative) if necessary to provide flexibility for Texas public institutions of higher education contracted by the coordinating board to plan, develop and implement developmental education and adult basic education initiatives as outlined by and under the direction of the Coordinating Board. Pages 3-4 of 46: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0521/0521adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 4.61
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary |
Adopted 05/2010 |
Postsec. |
Largely from Texas Register:
Amends provisions relating to degree-granting colleges and universities that are not Texas public institutions. Section 7.3 creates a "Conditional Certificate of Authorization" to provide a mechanism for an institution that is accredited by a higher education coordinating board-recognized accreditor to operate for a limited period of time. This also allows for the institution to verify state degree granting authority to a recognized accrediting agency prior to receiving full accreditation status. Section 7.7 incorporates reference to Conditional Certificate of Authorization in section relating to institutions accredited by board-recognized accreditors. Section 7.11, "Changes of Ownership and Other Substantive Changes", removes reference to "associate" degree to provide for fact that some programs may not offer an associate's degree.
Adopted as published in February 5, 2010 Texas Register (pp 14-16 of 134): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0205/0205prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 7.3, 7.7, 7.11
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Adopted 02/2010 |
P-12 |
§ 66.33: Adds provision to specify that members of state textbook adoption review panels must include educators, parents, business and industry representatives, and employers. Repeals reference to appointment of "academic experts" (teachers and university professors) to textbook adoption review panels. Adds provision barring hardware or software providers (or those holding a professional relationship with hardware or software providers) from making or accepting nominations to state textbook review panels.
§ 66.102: As authorized in Section 31.103(e) of the Education Code, establishes a list of equipment or devices that a district or charter school may purchase using textbook credits, including from the purchase of open-source textbooks (textbook credit = difference between the price paid for a textbook and the cost limit established in Section 31.025(a) of the Education Code for that textbook, multiplied by the number of copies purchased by the district or charter school). Authorizes a district or charter school to receive a textbook credit only in the first year of implementation. Requires the district or charter school to notify the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the use of funds generated by textbook credits, and submit an itemized expenditure report to the TEA.
§ 66.104: Amends provisions related to selection of instructional materials by school districts. Requires a district or charter school that selects electronic textbooks or instructional materials from the commissioner's list as specified in the TEC, §31.0231, to purchase a classroom set of textbooks adopted by the SBOE under the TEC, §31.023 or §31.035, for each subject and grade level in the foundation and enrichment curriculum. Defines "classroom set" for these purposes. Adds language to clearly establish that the classroom set requirement begins with Proclamation 2010 and is not retroactive.
§ 66.121: Specifies that a requisition for special instructional materials must be based on actual student enrollment to meet individual student need. Requires districts and charter schools to annually conduct an inventory of all currently adopted instructional materials that have been requisitioned by, and delivered to, the district, and for the results of the inventory to be recorded in the district's files. Requires reimbursement for and/or replacement of all braille and large type instructional materials determined to be lost.
Pages 5 (§ 66.33), 10 (§ 66.102), and 12 (§ 66.121) of 50: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1211/1211prop.pdf
Pages 6-7 of 34 (for § 66.104): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0219/0219adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 2.66.B.66.33, 66.102, 66.104 and 66.121
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Adopted 12/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends high school graduation requirements to make the rule consistent with H.B. 3 passed by the 81st Texas Legislature, 2009 (see Section 28.025, starting page 28 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf). Requires a student to complete 1 credit of physical education under the recommended high school program [under pre-existing rule, students in recommended curriculum were to complete 1.5 units physical education]. Releases a student completing the recommended high school program from the requirement to complete one-half credit of health or one credit of technology applications to satisfy the graduation requirements (in keeping with provision of H.B. 3 that, allowing certain exceptions, bars the state board from designating a specific course or a specific number of credits in the enrichment curriculum as requirements for the recommended program.) Adds requirement that a student entering Grade 9 in the 2010-11 school year and thereafter who opts into the minimum high school program complete one fine arts credit to satisfy the graduation requirements. Adopted as proposed in October 9, 2009 Texas Register. See pages 46-48 of 135: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1009/1009prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 2.74.A.74.3
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Adopted 11/2009 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Adds definitions for the following terms pertaining to higher education coordinating board approval of new academic and career technical/workforce associate degree and certificate programs: "academic degree"; "applied associate degree"; "career technical/workforce program" and "statewide articulated transfer curriculum". Defines the "statewide articulated transfer curriculum" as a set of courses that will satisfy the lower-division requirements of a four-year degree in a specific discipline. Requires a statewide articulated transfer curriculum to:
(A) Have the same rigor and content as the equivalent course work in the baccalaureate program offered at a general academic teaching institution
(B) Minimize the time and course work required to complete a baccalaureate degree
(C) Be consistent with the common course numbering system approved by the board and the recommendations and rules of the board
(D) Include only course work directly applicable to the requirements of the baccalaureate degree program(s) with which it is associated.
According to the higher education coordinating board's assistant commissioner for academic affairs and research, as cited in the August 7, 2009 Texas Register, the "establishment of conditions under which the approval of new academic and career technical/workforce associate degree programs, as well as approval of revision of existing academic and career technical/workforce associate degree programs is automatic, would permit public two-year colleges and the five public universities that are authorized to grant the associate degree to implement new degree programs much more quickly than is possible under the provisions of the current version of Chapter 9.
Adopted as published in the August 7, 2009 issue of the Texas Register (pp 43-45 of 100): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0807/0807prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 1.9.A.9.1
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
High School--Early Colleges/Middle Colleges |
Adopted 11/2009 |
P-12 |
Clarifies the distinctions between early college high schools and middle colleges. Clarifies student eligibility. Clarifies that for early college high schools the exemption from dual credit restrictions is dependent upon designation by the Texas Education Agency.
Note: The Texas Register states that the higher education coordinating board's assistant commissioner, P-16 Initiatives, has "determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of administering these sections will be a greater assurance of quality of the programs and services offered by these entities and a greater coordination between the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, resulting in more seamless application procedures for participating entities.
Adopted as published in the August 7, 2009 issue of the Texas Register (pages 12-13 of 100): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0807/0807prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 1.4.G.4.151, .153, .155, .161
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation |
Adopted 11/2009 |
Postsec. |
Establishes new rules concerning degree-granting colleges and universities other than Texas public institutions. As stated in the August 7, 2009 Register, "The intent of the re-write is to provide greater transparency of the rules regarding the operation of out-of-state public institutions of higher education or private institutions of higher education in Texas, while leaving the manner in which these institutions are overseen unchanged. To that end, the re-write has incorporated sections of the previous version of Chapter 7 into revised sections of the new version." The August 7, 2009 Register also provides a comment from the higher education coordinating board's assistant commissioner for academic affairs and research that the rewritten sections "will provide greater transparency in the operation and oversight of private institutions of higher education while maintaining the necessary oversight and review of these institutions."
Sections §7.4 and §7.7 adopted as published in the November 27, 2009 Register (pp 33-38 of 62): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1127/1127adop.pdf
Sections 7.1 through 7.3, 7.5, 7.6, and 7.8 through 7.13 adopted as proposed in the August 7, 2009 Register (pp 26-43 of 100): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0807/0807prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 1.7.7.1 -.13
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Adopted 11/2009 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Permits automatic higher education coordinating board approval of new academic and career technical/workforce associate degree programs, provided certain criteria are met, including that the institution can certify that, among other indicators:
(1) The program has institutional and governing board approval
(2) The institution has researched and documented current job market need for the program and/or that the program would lead to opportunities for further education
(3) There is recent evidence of both short-term and long-term student demand for the program
(4) Enrollment projections reflect student demand estimates to ensure the financial self-sufficiency of the program
(5) New costs during the first five years of the program would not exceed $2 million.
Also permits automatic approval of revisions of existing associate degree or certificate programs provided that certain conditions are met. Adopted as proposed in the August 7, 2009 issue of the Texas Register (pages 47-49 of 100): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0807/0807prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 1.9.E.9.92, .93, .95
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Adopted 11/2009 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Repeals existing rules and establishes new rules concerning Academic Associate Degree and Certificate Programs. Establishes approval criteria for new academic associate degree programs and permits colleges to award an academic certificate to students who successfully complete a college's approved curriculum, a higher education coordinating board (HECB)-approved field of study curriculum, and/or a HECB-approved
statewide articulated transfer curriculum of less than degree length. Adopted as proposed in August 7, 2009 Texas Register (pages 51-53 of 100): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0807/0807prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 1.9.J.9.184 -.186
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Adopted 11/2009 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Repeals 19 TAC §9.55 regarding the higher education coordinating board review of purpose, role and mission statements at public community colleges as a component of the institutional effectiveness evaluation review process. The November 20, 2009 Texas Register notes that this provision is repealed "so that a new evaluation process may be developed and implemented." See page 13 of 28 of November 20, 2009 Texas Register http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1120/1120adop.pdf and pages 46-47 of August 7, 2009 Texas Regisger http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0807/0807prop.pdf.
Title: 19 TAC 1.9.C.9.55
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Adopted 11/2009 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Amends rules related to associate degree programs. Amendment to Section 9.181 clarifies that rules apply not only to public community colleges, but also Texas State Technical College-Harlingen, and the Lamar State Colleges. Amendment to Section 9.183 adds language to stipulate that each academic associate degree must provide a clearly-articulated curriculum that can be associated with a discipline or field of study leading to a baccalaureate degree, and must be identified as such in the institution's program inventory. Section 9.183 as amended also permits a college to offer a specialized academic associate degree that incorporates a higher education coordinating board-approved statewide articulated transfer curriculum and a portion of the college's approved core curriculum if the coursework for both would total more than 66 SCH.
Section 9.181 is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 7, 2009 Texas Register (p. 51 of 100): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0807/0807prop.pdf
Section 9.183 is adopted as published in the November 20, 2009 Texas Register (p. 14 of 28): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1120/1120adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 1.9.J.9.181, .183
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Participation--Access |
Adopted 11/2009 |
Postsec. |
Texas Educ. Code § 61.086 directs the higher education coordinating board to develop and annually update a uniform strategy to identify, attract, retain and enroll students that reflect the population of this state, and for institutions of higher education to implement the uniform strategy and report annually on the manner in which the strategy has been implemented.
New rule implements the Uniform Recruitment and Retention Strategy for Texas public institutions of higher education. Requires the board to evaluate the effectiveness of the Uniform Recruitment and Retention Strategy plans on a statewide basis and with respect to each institution based on how the plan will address the state's master plan for higher education, Closing the Gaps by 2015 (http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?objectid=858D2E7C-F5C8-97E9-0CDEB3037C1C2CA3). Requires the board to incorporate the Uniform Recruitment and Retention Strategy into:
(1) Standards for new Baccalaureate and Master's Degree Programs
(2) The review of low-producing degree programs
(3) The approval process for doctoral and health-related degree programs
(4) The evaluation methodology for Tuition Revenue Bond Projects
(5) The review and evaluation of request for proposals and request for applications from institutions of higher education.
Requires annual institution reports to the coordinating board on participation in higher education to include:
(1) Student performance/success data
(2) Student participation data
(3) Information relating to the costs of the program and funding source, and number of students served
(4) The academic progress made by students as well as other outcomes related to Closing the Gaps by 2015.
Directs institutions to collect data and evaluate success based on the following elements and connect them to the accelerated targets for Closing the Gaps by 2015: (A) Partnership with high-need, low-college going rate public schools; (B) Pre-college academic outreach; (C) Application assistance; (D) Financial aid assistance; (E) Academic support programs; (F) Tutoring/mentoring programs; (G) Academic advising; and
(H) Early Alert Systems that include academic support for at-risk students.
Provides that the coordinating board reserves the right to audit any program reported as a part of the Uniform Recruitment and Retention Strategy. Defines "noncompliance" with any Closing the Gaps by 2015 reporting requirements, including the Uniform Recruitment and Retention Strategy. Directs the coordinating board to withhold program approvals, all coordinating board grant funding, and up to 22 points in the Tuition Revenue Bond approval process for any noncompliant institution.
--Sections 4.240 -4.244 are adopted without changes as published in the August 7, 2009, issue of the Texas Register (see pp 15-17 of 100: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0807/0807prop.pdf).
--§4.245 is adopted with changes to the proposed text (for text as adopted, see p 10 of 28 http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1120/1120adop.pdf)
Title: 19 TAC 1.4.O.4.240 -.245
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements |
Adopted 11/2009 |
Postsec. |
Adopts rules expanding upon 2007 H.B. 3826 (80th Texas Legislature), amending provisions for students admitted to public universities under the top 10% rule. Specifies that from the 2011-12 academic year through the 2015-16 academic year, the University of Texas at Austin is not required to admit applicants in excess of the number needed to fill 75% of first-time resident undergraduate students. Clarifies provisions relating to the determination of high school class rank for students seeking automatic admission to a general academic teaching institution based on their class rank. Authorizes a general academic teaching institution to limit the number of students admitted under the top 10% rule if the number of eligible students applying to the institution exceeds by more than 10% the average number of first-time freshmen admitted the previous two academic years. Establishes certain admissions provisions an institution must follow if it chooses to limit the number of students admitted under the top 10% rule, including clear guidelines for the selection of students based on one or more of specified methods. Requires each general academic teaching institution to annually report to the higher education coordinating board the demographic composition (including race/ethnicity and economic status) of the entering class of first-time freshmen students admitted under the policy set forth in this section of rule. http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1120/1120adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 1.5.A.5.5
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation |
Adopted 11/2009 |
Postsec. |
Encourages institutions of higher education to develop undergraduate certificate programs of less than degree length, to be awarded upon completion of the institution's higher education coordinating board (HECB)-approved core curriculum, a HECB-approved field of study curriculum or a HECB-approved statewide articulated transfer curriculum.
The note in the Texas Register clarifies, "The new academic certificate would allow students to receive an academic credential signifying the completion of a significant component of an associate's or bachelor's
degree; would provide assurance of that completion to a receiving institution in the case of a student transferring to another institution; and would provide for the reporting of certificates as success measures for colleges and universities." The Register also notes that the assistant commissioner for academic affairs and research "has ... determined that for each year of the first five years the new section is in effect, the proposed change would benefit students by providing them with a pre-degree-completion credential demonstrating a certain level of academic attainment, and to institutions by providing a success measure."
Adopted as published in the August 7, 2009 Register (Page 12 of 100): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0807/0807prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 1.4.B.4.36
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Health |
Adopted 10/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends rules concerning the control of communicable diseases requiring exclusion from schools. Deletes the references to child-care facilities because the department of state health services has no authority to exclude children from child-care facilities. Adds reference to infections (wounds, skin and soft tissue) to section on conditions requiring exclusion of student from school, and conditions and readmission criteria. The new provision creates an additional condition for which children may be excluded from schools to prevent the transmission of bacterial infections, especially antibiotic-resistant staphylococcal infections. Adopted as proposed in May 29, 2009 Register (pages 7-9 of 21): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0529/0529prop.pdf
Title: 25 TAC 1.97.A.97.7
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Leadership--District Superintendent |
Adopted 10/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends rules that provide for the establishment of requirements for the issuance and renewal of the superintendent certificate. Pages 6-7 of 10: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1016/1016adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 7.242.242.1, .5, .10, .15, .20, .25, .30
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation |
Partial Rule Adoption 10/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends rules concerning provisions for the issuance and renewal of the principal certificate. Requires a principal or assistant principal employed for the first-time as a campus administrator (including the first time in the state) to participate in a minimum one-year induction period. Provides that mentoring must be an integral part of the induction period. See pages 5-6 of 10: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1016/1016adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 7.241.241.1, .5, .10, .15, .20, .25, .30, .35
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Adopted 10/2009 |
P-12 |
Modifies the description of circumstances requiring a superintendent to report alleged misconduct of an educator who resigns from a school district, the minimum requirements of a superintendent's report, and the requirements for a school district to request that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) pursue sanctions against an educator who has abandoned his or her contract. Pages 7-8 of 10: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1016/1016adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 7.249.B.249.14
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Online Instruction |
Issued 09/2009 |
Postsec. |
Directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in cooperation with Texas public institutions of higher education, to undertake a comprehensive review of opportunities for achieving cost efficiencies, including:
--State funding based on student course completion
--Restructuring the state's financial aid programs to improve administrative efficiencies and to provide financial aid to students who work hard to academically prepare for college
--Academic program consolidation and elimination of programs that produce relatively few graduates
--Faculty workload
--Articulation agreements between two-year and four-year institutions
--Distance learning
--Alternatives to creating new campuses
--Course redesign to improve quality and reduce instructional costs for more courses
--Cooperative, cross-system contracting and purchasing
--Space utilization
--Energy use
--Cost of instructional materials.
Also directs the higher education coordinating board to conduct a review of higher education cost efficiencies implemented in other states and other countries. Directs the higher Education Coordinating Board, Based on the findings of this review, to develop practices, policies and recommendations for cost-containment among public institutions of higher education and submit these to the governor, legislature and public institutions of higher education by November 1, 2010.
Executive order: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?ObjectID=A3C6E9A3-CE4A-E4DE-C6D8183684DC9CD6
Final report (November 2010): http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/files//dmfile/CostEfficiencies11.19.2010.pdf
Draft report (July 21, 2010): http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?objectid=23A87B1E-DFF7-820A-C807155DB1EB855B
THECB Web page about the advisory committee on higher education cost efficiencies: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?ObjectID=9D89F7D3-F892-EEA0-D923B6D6D465D781
Title: E.O. RP73
Source: www.thecb.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Adopted 08/2009 |
Postsec. |
Requires each public institution of higher education to have a process to assess the quality and effectiveness of existing degree programs for continuous improvement. Directs the higher education coordinating board staff to develop a process for conducting a periodic audit of the quality, productivity and effectiveness of existing bachelor's and master's programs at public institutions of higher education. Adopted without change as published in the May 8, 2009 register (page 11): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0508/0508prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 1.5.5.52
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Adopted 08/2009 |
Postsec. |
Establishes rules concerning professional development through education and training for higher education coordinating board administrators and employees.
Title: 19 TAC 1.1.A.1.19
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Adopted 08/2009 |
Postsec. |
Amends the approval process for new bachelor's and master's programs. Makes the approval of new bachelor's and master's programs automatic if they meet the following criteria:
(1) The program has institutional and board of regents approval
(2) The institution certifies compliance with the Standards for New Bachelor's and Master's Programs developed by the higher education coordinating board
(3) The institution certifies that adequate funds are available to cover the costs of the program
(4) New costs during the first five years of the program would not exceed $2,000,000
(5) The program is a non-engineering program
(6) The program would be offered by a university or health-related institution
(7) No objections to the proposed program are received by the higher education coordinating board during the 30-day public comment period.
Also clarifies the approval process for new undergraduate and graduate certificate programs, and for administrative changes, making either automatic if certain criteria are met. Starting page 9 of 44 (adopted without change as published in May 8, 2009 Register): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0508/0508prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 1.5.C.5.44
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Adopted 08/2009 |
Postsec. |
Changes the requirement of an off-campus educational unit on the Supply/Demand Pathway of attaining full- time equivalent enrollments of 3,500 from four fall semesters to one semester to become eligible to be a stand-alone institution. Adopted as published without change in May 8, 2009 Register, starting page 12: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0508/0508prop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 1.5.D.5.78
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Adopted 08/2009 |
Postsec. |
Provides that preliminary authority to add a degree program is not necessary for a program that meets the following criteria: (a) the program has institutional and Board of Regents approval, (b) the program is a non-doctoral program, (c) the program is a non-engineering program, and (d) the program would be offered by a university or health-related institution. Allows the Commissioner of Higher Education to approve doctoral-level preliminary authority requests.
Title: 19 TAC 1.5.B.5.24
Source: www.lexis.com |
Curriculum--Science |
Adopted 07/2009 |
P-12 |
Establish revised science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for implementation beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. Starting page 4 of 84: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0731/0731adop.pdfhttp://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0731/0731adop.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 2.112.A.112.1, .10 -.16
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 07/2009 |
P-12 |
Relates to the governmental entities subject to the sunset review process. Extends the sunset of the education agency, the tax division, the department of insurance and other specified departments. Makes the department of forestry subject to sunset review. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/811/billtext/pdf/SB00002F.pdf
Title: S.B. 2A
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Standards |
Adopted 07/2009 |
P-12 |
Establish revised middle school science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for implementation beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.
Title: 19 TAC 2.112.B.112.17 -.21
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Standards |
Adopted 07/2009 |
P-12 |
Establish revised high school science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for implementation beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.
Title: 19 TAC 2.112.C.112.31 -.39, .41
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Accountability |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Adds new Subchapter I in Chapter 42 of Education Code. Establishes the Select Committee on Public School Finance Weights, Allotments, and Adjustments to conduct a comprehensive review of weights, allotments and adjustments under the public school finance system. Establishes membership. Requires committee to hold first meeting by October 2009. Directs the committee to hold public hearings throughout the state and solicit testimony about the weights, allotments and adjustments under the finance system from parents of public school students and other interested persons. Requires at least one hearing to be held at a public school during a time that students are able to attend the hearing. Additionally directs the committee to identify specific short term goals that will assist
the state in meeting the objectives and goals of public education, and specifies the review must include recommendations on:
(1) Methods to close the achievement gap and define and measure readiness for college and the workforce
(2) Revisions to the public accountability system
(3) Methods for promoting efficient and effective support structures for public schools.
By December 2010, requires the committee to provide a report, approved by a majority of committee members, with the findings of its review and the committee's recommendations for statutory changes. Provides subchapter expires January 11, 2011.
Pages 63-67 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Section 65
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Accountability |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Adds to circumstances under which special accreditation investigations must be conducted. Directs the commissioner to authorize special accreditation investigations to be conducted when:
(1) A significant pattern of decreased academic performance has developed as a result of the promotion in the preceding two school years of students who did not perform satisfactorily on state assessments
(2) Excessive numbers of students graduate under the minimum high school program
(3) Excessive numbers of students eligible to enroll fail to complete an Algebra II course or any other course determined by the commissioner as distinguishing between students participating in the recommended high school program from students participating in the minimum high school program
(4) Resource allocation practices as evaluated under Section 39.0821 indicate a potential for significant improvement in resource allocation.
Authorizes the commissioner, based on the results of a special accreditation investigation, to lower a district's or campus's accountability rating
Pages 86-89 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 59 - Part II
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Accreditation |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends language regarding actions the commissioner may take as regards a district that does not satisfy accreditation criteria, academic performance standards or any financial accountability standard. Provides that the commissioner may order the preparation of a student achievement improvement plan that addresses each student achievement indicator under Section 39.053(c) for which district performance is insufficient. Provides that if a district fails to satisfy any standard under Section 39.054(e), the commissioner may appoint a board of managers to exercise the powers and duties of the board of trustees. Provides that if for two consecutive years a district has failed to satisfy any standard under Section 39.054(e), the commissioner may revoke the district's accreditation and order the district's annexation to an adjoining district or, in the case of a home-rule district or charter school, order closure of all programs operated under the district's or school's charter. Specifies several potential sanctions for a district that fails to satisfy any standard under Section 39.054(e) due to the district's dropout rates.
Amends language regarding actions the commissioner may take as regards a campus whose performance is below any standard under Section 39.054(e). Repeals provision allowing the commissioner to permit the campus to participate in an innovative redesign of the campus to improve campus performance. Repeals language establishing certain sanctions for low-performing campuses (e.g., ordering a hearing by the local board of trustees at the campus, ordering the preparation of a report on campus's parental involvement program, ordering a report on the effectiveness of the district- and campus-level planning and decision-making committees, ordering the preparation, state approval and implmementation of a student improvement plan).
Adds that if a campus performance is below any standard under Section 39.054(e), the commissioner may establish a school community partnership team that includes members of the campus-level planning and
decision-making committee and additional community representatives. Provides that if the commissioner determines that a campus subject to interventions or sanctions has implemented substantially similar intervention measures under federal accountability requirements, the commissioner may accept the substantially similar intervention measures as measures in compliance with state-level sanctions/interventions policy.
Amends provisions relating to a campus whose performance satisfies performance standards under Section 39.054(e) for the current school year but that would not satisfy performance standards under Section 39.054(e) if the standards to be used for the following school year were applied to the current school year. Provides that on the commissioner's request, the campus-level committee must revise and submit to the commissioner the portions of the campus improvement plan that are relevant to those areas for which the campus would not satisfy performance standards. Provides that if the campus is a charter school, the campus must establish a campus-level planning and decision-making committee and develop a campus improvement plan. On the commissioner's request, directs the charter school to submit to the commissioner the portions of the campus improvement plan that are relevant to those areas for which the campus would not satisfy performance standards.
Amends provisions related to campus intervention teams. Requires the commisioner to assign any campus whose performance is below any standard under Section 39.054(e) a campus intervention team. Requires the team, with the involvement of the school community partnership team, if applicable, to conduct a targeted on-site needs assessment relevant to an area of insufficient performance or, if the commissioner determines necessary, a comprehensive on-site needs assessment (former language called for a comprehensive on-site needs assessments for low-performing schools). Directs a campus intervention team to develop a *targeted* improvement plan (former language called for creation of "school improvement plan for student achievement"). Additionally directs the campus intervention team to assist the campus in submitting the targeted improvement plan to the board of trustees for approval and presenting the plan in a public hearing. Clarifies that teams must use *all* of enumerated guidelines and procedures relevant to each area of insufficient performance in conducting a targeted on-site needs assessment, and must use each of the enumerated guidelines and procedures in conducting a comprehensive on-site needs assessment. Adds that all targeted (as appropriate) and comprehensive on-site needs assessments must include (1) an assessment of the percentage of teachers who are fully certified, (2) an assessment of the extent and quality of the mentoring program for teachers with less than two years teaching experience in the subject or grade level to which they are assigned, and (3) a comparison of findings of specified elements against other campuses serving the same grade levels in the district or to other campuses within the campus's comparison group if there are no other campuses within the district serving the same grade levels as the campus. Provides that if the campus has a school community partnership team, the campus intervention team must seek the involvement and advice of the partnership team in recommending actions relating to any area of insufficient performance. Adds teacher recruitment and retention strategies as an area upon which the campus intervention team and school community partnership team may make recommendations following completion of the on-site needs assessment. Provides that in executing a targeted improvement plan, the campus intervention team must, if appropriate, require the district to develop a teacher recruitment and retention plan to address the qualifications and retention of the teachers at the campus.
Directs the campus intervention team to help the campus submit the targeted improvement plan to the commissioner for approval. Provides the commissioner may authorize a school community partnership team to supersede the authority of and satisfy the requirements of establishing and maintaining a campus-level planning and decision-making committee. Provides the commissioner may authorize a targeted improvement plan or updated plan to supersede the provisions of and satisfy the requirements of developing, reviewing and revising a campus improvement plan.
Updates language to provide that a campus intervention team must work with a campus with an unacceptable performance rating until the campus satisfies all performance standards under Section 39.054(e) for a two-year period (or a one-year period under certain circumstances). Provides that the campus intervention team must additionally assist the low-performing campus in updating the targeted improvement plan
to identify and analyze areas of growth and areas that require improvement, and submit each such updated plan to the district board of trustees. Directs the board of trustees to conduct a public hearing to inform the public and solicit public comment after a targeted improvement plan or updated plan is submitted, and to submit the targeted improvement plan or any updated plan to the commissioner for approval.
Pages 96-109 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 59 - Part IV
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the state education agency to develop and maintain a comprehensive schedule that addresses all district reporting requirements (including those imposed by entities other than the state education agency), and that specifies the date by which a school district must comply with each requirement. Directs the state education agency to determine the manner in which the schedule is made readily accessible to school districts. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03041F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3041
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates new Subchapter J, "Parent and Educator Reports." Provides that in addition to the indicators adopted under Section 39.053, the commissioner must adopt indicators of the quality of learning for the purpose of preparing parent and educator reports, and review these indicators for possible revisions every other year. Provides performance on such adopted indicators must be evaluated in the same manner provided for evaluation of the student achievement indicators under Section 39.053(c). Requires indicators to include:
(1) Percentage of high school graduates who complete the minimum, recommended or advanced high school programs
(2) Results of the SAT, ACT, articulated postsecondary degree programs described by Section 61.852, and certified workforce training programs described by Chapter 311, Labor Code
(3) Subsequent state assessment scores of students who do not meet performance standards as established by Section 39.0241 or who do not pass state-level assessments
(4) Number of students at each campus who choose to complete the minimum high school program, disaggregated by major student subpopulations
(5) Specified remediation and student promotion indicators
(6) Percentage of limited English-proficient students exempted from the administration of an assessment instrument under Sections 39.027(a)(1) and (2)
(7) Percentage of students with disabilities assessed through assessment instruments developed or adopted under Section 39.023(b)
(8) Percentage of students who satisfy the college readiness measure
(9) Progress toward dual language proficiency under Section 39.034(b) for limited English-proficient students
(10) Percentage of students who are not educationally disadvantaged
(11) Percentage of students who enter an institute of higher education the year after high school graduation
(12) Percentage of students who complete the first year of postsecondary education without needing a developmental education course.
Specifies that performance on the indicators described by Section 39.053(c) and items (3), (4) and (9) above must be based on longitudinal student data that is disaggregated by the bilingual education or special language program that current or former limited English-proficient students are/were enrolled in.
Adds Section 39.302, which directs the state education agency to report to each district the comparisons of student performance made under Section 39.034 (annual improvement needed for a student to perform satisfactorily on grade 5 and 8 assessments and end-of-course assessments, page 67 of 180 of 2009 H.B. 3). Adds Section 39.303, which requires districts to provide each student's parent with a record of the comparisons made under Sections 39.302 and 39.034. Provides that for a student who did not perform satisfactorily on a state assessment, the district must include specific information in the notice about access to online educational resources at the appropriate assessment instrument content level, including educational resources described by Section 32.252(b)(2) and assessment instrument questions and answers released under Section 39.023(e).
Adds Section 39.304, which requires districts to provide teachers at the beginning of the school year with a record of the comparisons made under Sections 39.302 and 39.034. Requires report to go to each teacher for all students, including incoming students, who were assessed on a grades 3-8 assessment or high school end-of-course exam, and all students who took a grades 3-8 assessment or high school end-of-course exam the previous year. Provides the report must indicate whether the student performed satisfactorily or, if the student did not perform satisfactorily, whether the student met the standard for annual improvement.
Amends campus report card content. Repeals provision requiring campus performance to be compared to comparable campus group performance. Requires campus report cards to include the student achievement
indicators described by Section 39.053(c) and the reporting indicators described by Sections 39.301(c)(1) through (5). Requires district report cards to include information indicating the district's accreditation status and identifying each district campus awarded a distinction designation under Subchapter G or considered an unacceptable campus under Subchapter E
Pages 137-142 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 59 - Part VIII (Parent and Educator Reports, Campus and District Report Cards)
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Rewards |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Section 11: Provides that the educator excellence fund will be annually funded by an amount determined by legislative appropriation, rather than by $1,000 per teacher. Eliminates reference in 21.703(a) to awards for student achievement program. Bill also repeals Subchapter N, Chapter 21 of the Education Code, "Awards for Student Achievement Program" and Section 21.704(b) authorizing the district-level committee to use a campus incentive plan as part of a local awards plan.
Section 12: Adds language that a local awards plan under the educator excellence awards program must provide for teachers and principals eligible to receive awards to be notified of the specific criteria and any formulas on which the awards will be based before the beginning of the period on which the awards will be based.
Section 13: Adds principals to school staff eligible for award payments for improving student achievement under the educator excellence awards program. Clarifies that one use of award funds may be providing teacher induction and mentoring support, including stipends to effective mentors or teacher coaches. Clarifies that stipends to successful teachers at hard-to-staff schools are for purposes of recruiting and retaining teachers, and makes principals who are successful for improving student performance eligible for stipends at such hard-to-staff schools. Eliminates provision allowing award payments to go to teacher stipends for teachers holding postgraduate degrees; eliminates provision allowing award payments to go to principals generally who effectively increase student performance as determined by objective measures. Allows award funding to be used to provide funding for previously developed incentive programs.
Section 14: Eliminates references in 21.706(a) to awards for student achievement program and educator excellence awards program.
Pages 8-12 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Sections 11-14
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Rewards |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Establishes new Subchapter G, "Distinction Designations". Directs the commissioner at the beginning of each school year to award distinction designations to districts and campuses. Directs the commissioner by rule to establish a recognized and exemplary rating for awarding districts and campuses an academic distinction designation. Requires the commissioner's rule to include criteria for the ratings, including percentages of students who demonstrate college readiness on specified end-of-course assessments, or other factors indicating students' postsecondary readiness. Requires a campus to be awarded a distinction designation if the campus is in the top 25% of campuses statewide in annual improvement in student achievement as determined under Section 39.034. Additionally requires a campus to be awarded a distinction designation if the campus significantly diminishes or eliminates performance differentials between student subpopulations and is ranked in the top 25% of campuses statewide in annual improvement in student achievement. Directs the commissioner to adopt rules to ensure that a campus does not artificially diminish or eliminate performance differentials by inhibiting the achievement of the highest achieving student subpopulation.
Additionally provides that a campus that satisfies the criteria established in new Section 39.204 must be awarded a distinction designation for programs/categories of performance, namely (1) academic achievement in English language arts, math, science, or social studies; (2) fine arts; (3) physical education; (4) 21st Century Workforce Development program; and (5) second language acquisition program. Establishes 39.204, which directs the commissioner by rule to establish standards for considering campuses for distinction designations and methods for awarding campus distinction designations. Requires establishment of a separate committee to develop criteria for the aforementioned subject area/program-specific distinction designations. Establishes criteria for membership of each such committee, and procedures for each committee to develop criteria for distinction designations. Repeals Section 39.111, "Recognition and Rewards"
Amends 39.263, "Awards." Provides criteria for identifying schools in Texas Successful Schools Awards System must include consideration of performance on the student achievement indicators adopted under Section 39.053(c) and consideration of the distinction designation criteria prescribed by or developed under Subchapter G.
Requires the regional and district level report developed per Section 39.333 to indicate, for each campus granted an exemption from the maximum class size in grades K-3, a statement of whether the campus has been awarded a distinction designation under Subchapter G or has been identified as an unacceptable campus under Subchapter E. Existing language requires the regional and district report to indicate a summary of district waivers granted under Section 7.056 or 39.232; new legislation additionally requires report to provide a summary of school-level exemptions permitted by these Sections.
Requires the first written notice of a student 's performance that a school district gives during a school year to include a statement of whether the campus at which the student is enrolled has been awarded a distinction designation under Subchapter G or has been identified as an unacceptable campus under Subchapter E, and an explanation of the significance of this information.
Pages 125-135, 155-157 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 59 - Part VI (Distinction Designations and Awards)
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Section 69: Adds new section 45.0531. Authorizes the state board by rule to establish a percentage of the cost value of the permanent school fund to be reserved from use in guaranteeing bonds.
Section 70: Requires districts seeking state guarantee of eligible bonds to use a form adopted by the commissioner for this purpose.
Section 71: Adds reference to credit enhancement.
Section 72: Authorizes the commissioner to order a district to set an ad valorem tax rate capable of producing an amount of revenue sufficient to allow the district to provide reimbursement to the permanent school fund and pay the principal of and interest on district bonds as the principal and interest become due. Provides that if a district fails to comply with the commissioner's order, the commissioner may impose any sanctions ennumerated in "Accreditation Sanctions," Subchapter G, Chapter 39, including appointment of a board of managers or annexation to another district, regardless of the district's accreditation status or the duration of a particular accreditation status. Pages 69-72 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Sections 69-72
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs a campus intervention team to assist a reconstituted campus in developing an *updated targeted* improvement plan (former language called for development of a "school improvement plan") and in submitting the updated targeted improvement plan to the local board of trustees for approval and presenting the plan in a public hearing as provided by Section 39.106(e-1). Allows the principal of a reconstituted school to remain the principal if the campus intervention team determines that the principal's retention would be more beneficial to student achievement and campus stability than removal.
Provides that for each year a reconstituted campus has an unacceptable performance rating, a campus intervention team must assist in updating the targeted improvement plan to identify areas of growth and areas that require improvement, submit the updated plan to the local board of trustees and the parents of campus students, and assist in submitting the updated plan to the commissioner for approval. Authorizes the commissioner to appoint a monitor, conservator, management team or board of managers to ensure and oversee district-level support to low-performing campuses in a district with one or more reconstituted schools. Provides that in making appointments for this purpose or for oversight of implementation of updated targeted improvement plans, the commissioner must consider individuals who have demonstrated success in managing campuses with student populations similar to the campus at which the individual appointed will serve.
Provides that a trigger for alternative management or closure of a reconstituted school may be failure of students at the campus to demonstrate substantial improvement in the areas targeted by the updated plan. Provides that a reconstituted school's continued inadequate student achievement or failure to fully implement the updated targeted improvement plan may also result in "repurposing" of the campus. Requires a campus with an unacceptable performance rating for three consecutive years after reconstitution to either be repurposed or closed, or undergo alternative management. Provides an exception to this provision for up to one school year if the commissioner determines that, on the basis of significant improvement in student performance over the preceding two school years, the campus is likely to be assigned an acceptable
performance rating for the following school year.
Adds language establishing procedures for "repurposing" a campus. Requires the district to develop a repurposing plan, which must be approved by the local board of trustees and the commissioner. Requires the plan to include a description of a rigorous and relevant academic program for the campus, and allows the plan to include various instructional models. Provides the commissioner may not approve a campus repurposing plan unless specified criteria are met, including that the principal and teachers are not retained at the campus, barring certain specified exceptions. Provides that an educator who is not retained at a repurposed campus may be assigned to another position in the district.
Authorizes the commissioner to solicit proposals from qualified for-profit entities for alternative management of a low-performing campus if a nonprofit entity has not responded to the commissioner 's request for proposals.
In reconstituting, repurposing, or imposing any other intervention or sanction on a campus, prohibits the name of the campus from being changed.
Establishes transitional interventions and sanctions to cover the period between enactment of 2009 H.B. 3, to be implemented in August 2013. Authorizes the commissioner to suspend assignment of accreditation statuses and performance ratings for the 2011-2012 school year. Provides such provisions expire September 1, 2014.
Pages 109-125 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 59 - Part V
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Accountability--School Improvement |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Clarifies requirement for mandatory participation in the School Leadership Pilot Program for Principals. Specifies that only a principal who was employed as a principal at a campus rated academically unacceptable the previous school year must participate in the program. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB04435F.pdf
Title: H.B. 4435
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Establishes the Interagency Literacy Council for the study, promotion and enhancement of literacy in the state. Specifies that one of the duties of the council is to study current research to assess the adult literacy needs in this state. Directs the council to develop a comprehensive statewide action plan for the improvement of literacy, including a recommended timeline for implementation. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB04328F.pdf
Title: H.B. 4328
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Establishes the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant program and fund to award grants to public junior colleges and public technical institutes, and to eligible nonprofit organizations to:
(1) Develop or support nonprofit organizations' programs that prepare low-income students for careers in high-demand occupations. Eligible programs must help students prepare for, apply to and enroll in a public junior college/technical institute, provide matching funds, and demonstrate that they have achieved or will achieve above average developmental course completion rates, persistence rates, and 3-year degree or certificate completion rates among participating students.
(2) Defray the start-up costs of new career and technical education programs in high-demand occupations
(3) Provide scholarships for students who demonstrate financial need and who are enrolled in training programs for high-demand occupations.
In awarding grants to public junior colleges and public technical institutes for the development of new career and technical education courses or programs, provides the comptroller may consider whether the course or program offers new or expanded dual credit career and technical educational opportunities in public high schools.
Directs the comptroller to conduct a study of the feasibility of basing part of all public postsecondary technical training program funding on the program's economic benefit to the state, and of estimating the additional tax revenue from employers generated by the ability of public junior colleges/technical institutes/state colleges to prepare students for employment fields for which there is employer demand. Requires the comptroller to report to the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house by January 2011 for legislative action based on the results of the study.
Defines "green jobs" as jobs in the field of renewable energy or energy efficiency. Establishes the Green Job Skills Development Fund and Training Program to support the implementation and expansion of green job skills training programs. Specifies that an eligible training program must be hosted by a regional partnership designed to implement training programs that lead trainees to economic self-sufficiency and career pathways. Requires regional partnerships to include at a minimum a postsecondary institution; chamber of commerce, local workforce agency, local employer, or other public or private participating entity; economic development authority; and community or faith-based nonprofit organization that works with one or more targeted populations.
Specifies criteria that eligible green job skills training programs must meet. Requires programs receiving grants to target specified groups of individuals for training, including low-income workers, unemployed youth and adults, individuals who did not complete high school, or other underserved sectors of the workforce in high poverty areas. Provides that a training program may use grant funds for support services, including basic skills, literacy, GED, English as a second language, and job readiness training, career guidance, and referral services. Establishes grant application procedures. Specifies training programs the comptroller must give preference to, and requires 20% of funds to be reserved for job skill training programs that serve the unemployed and those with incomes at or below 200% of the poverty level. Establishes grantee reporting requirements, and requires the comptroller to report biennially on submitted information to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the house. Directs the comptroller to adopt standards for a green job skills training program awarded a grant.
H.B. 1935: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01935F.pdf
H.B. 3 (pages 169-174): http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1935 and H.B. 3, Section 64
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Relates to certain standards for group-administered achievement tests used by school districts; requires that state and national norms of averages be computed using data not more than 8 years old. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00759F.pdf
Title: S.B. 759
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Assessment |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Deletes provision that education Internet portal provides secure access to student assessment data. Amends 32.258 to direct the state education agency to create a student assessment data portal for use by school districts, teachers, parents, students and public institutions of higher education. Provides the portal must allow:
(1) Students and parents to easily access the student's individual assessment data. The system must allow students and parents to track a student's progress on assessment requirements for graduation.
(2) Authorized district employees, including teachers, to readily access individual assessment data of district students
(3) Authorized employees of public postsecondary institutions to readily access individual assessment data of students applying for admission for use in developing strategies for improving student performance
(4) Public access to general student assessment data.
Requires student assessment data in the portal to be available by the first instructional day of the school year following that in which the data is collected, and to include student performance data on assessment
instruments over multiple years, beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, including any data indicating progress in student achievement. Specifies the system must permit comparisons of student performance information at the classroom, campus, district and state levels.
Pages 42-45 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 48 and 49
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Previous legislation on measuring annual improvement from one year to the next required the state education agency to determine the necessary annual improvement required each year for a student to be prepared to perform satisfactorily on the end-of-course assessments required for graduation. New provision requires the agency to additionally determine the annual improvement needed for satisfactory performance on the grade 5 and 8 assessments, and for the necessary annual improvement required on these additional assessments to be reported to the district, as they are for end-of-course assessments.
Page 67 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 58
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Transfers from the state board to the commissioner the duty of determining the performance level considered satisfactory on specified assessments. Directs the commissioner, in collaboration with the commissioner of higher education, to determine the level of performance on the end-of-course assessments to indicate college readiness. Requires performance standards on state assessments in grades 3-10 to be backmapped from grade 11 performance standards. Makes state education agency development of study guides for state assessments in grades 3-8 optional rather than mandatory.
Creates new Section 39.0242. Directs the state education agency, during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years, to collect data through the administration of the annual grade 3-8 assessments and the administration of a sufficiently large statewide sample of students on end-of-course assessments to set performance standards. Directs the agency, before the beginning of the 2011-12 school year, to analyze the data to substantiate the correlation between satisfactory student performance for each performance standard on the:
(1) Grade 3-7 assessments with satisfactory performance under the same performance standard on the same subject area assessment at the next grade level
(2) Grade 8 assessment with satisfactory performance under the same performance standard on the Algebra I and English I end-of-course assessment
(3) English I end-of-course assessment with satisfactory performance under the same performance standard on the English II end-of-course assessment
(4) English II end-of-course assessment with satisfactory performance under the same performance standard on the English III end-of-course assessment
(5) Algebra I end-of-course assessment with satisfactory performance under the same performance standard on the Algebra II end-of-course assessment.
Provides that such correlation studies must include an evaluation of any need for remediation courses to facilitate college readiness. Directs the agency to continue to gather data and perform correlation studies at least once every three years. Provides that if the data do not support the correlation between student performance standards and college readiness, the commissioner of education, in collaboration with the commissioner of higher education, must revise the standard of performance considered to be satisfactory. Provides that, based on the data and correlation studies, the commissioner must increase the rigor of the performance standard as the commissioner determines necessary.
Pages 54-58 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 53, Part II
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends 39.0262. Specifies that a district may not administer locally-required assessments designed to prepare students for state-administered assessments to any student on more than 10% of any school year's instructional days. Adds that a campus-level planning and decision-making committee may limit the administration of locally required assessment instruments to 10% or a lower percentage of instructional days in any school year. Pages 63-64 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 55
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Assessment--Accommodations |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the state education agency, in developing state assessments for math, reading, writing, social studies and science for grades 3-8, to allow student scores to provide reliable information relating to a student's satisfactory performance for each performance standard under Section 39.0241, and an appropriate range of performances to serve as a valid indication of growth in student achievement. Amends language in 39.023(b) regarding the assessment of students with disabilities. Eliminates provision allowing a student with disabilities to be exempted from an end-of-course assessment. Excludes assessments that students may retake (i.e., an end-of-course assessment) from those whose questions and answer keys are released to the public every third year. Makes grade 5 final grade in which limited-English proficient students may take statewide assessments in reading, writing, math and science in Spanish (previous provision extended such assessments to students in grade 6.)
Directs the commissioner of education and commissioner of higher education to study the feasibility of allowing students to satisfy end-of-course requirements by successfully completing a dual credit course through an institution of higher education. Requires the commissioner of education and commissioner of higher education to make recommendations based on the study to the legislature by December 2010.
By September 1 of each year, requires the state education agency Web site to report the following information for state assessments in grades 3-8 and end-of-course assessments:
(1) The number of questions on the assessment
(2) The number of questions that must be answered correctly to achieve satisfactory performance
(3) The number of questions that must be answered correctly to achieve satisfactory performance under the college readiness performance standard
(4) The corresponding scale scores.
Previous law required questions indicating college readiness in end-of-course assessments to be administered in a separate section of the assessment. New enactment bars these items from being included in a separate section of the assessment.
Provides the commissioner may not require a school district or charter school to administer an assessment instrument by computer.
Pages 45-50 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 50 through 52
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Assessment--Accommodations |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Whereas former language allowed students with an IEP to be exempted from criterion-referenced assessments in grades 3-8, end-of-course assessments and criterion-referenced assessments for students with disabilities, new language provides students with an IEP may be administered an accommodated or alternative assessment instrument or may be granted an exemption from or a postponement of the administration of such assessments. Defines "unschooled asylee or refugee." Allows additional four years' testing exemption (beyond up to 1 year allowed for English language learners) from state assessments if the student 's initial enrollment in a school in the U.S. was as an unschooled asylee or refugee. Pages 64-66 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 56
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Relates to optional flexible school day program courses offered by school districts to enable students to earn course credit under certain circumstances. Eliminates requirement that flexible school day program courses be limited to students in grades 9-12. Allows flexible school day program courses to serve students who will be denied credit for courses because their attendance rate was below 90%, and authorizes the commissioner of education to set limitations on funding such flexible school day courses. Provides that courses for students whose attendance rate was below 90% may be offered during the summer. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01297F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1297
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides that a student is not considered at risk of dropping out of school if the student was retained in prekindergarten or kindergarten solely at the parent's request. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02703F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2703
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Community College,
Postsec. |
Allows public junior colleges (two-year institutions) to be granted charters to operate open-enrollment charter schools, including on the junior college campus. Specifies criteria junior college must meet to be granted a charter, including that the charter's educational program must be designed to meet specific goals described in the charter, such as dropout recovery, and the attainment of the program's goals must be measured using specific, objective standards set forth in the charter, including assessment methods and a time frame. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01423F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1423
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends various provisions in Section 29.098 related to intensive summer programs for public school students and to college readiness programs at public institutions of higher education. Adds provisions in 61.0762 that allow the higher education coordinating board to develop summer bridge programs in social sciences; clarifies that the goal of all such such summer bridge programs (including those in English language arts, science and math) is to reduce the need for developmental education. Eliminates provision requiring the board by rule to develop financial assistance programs for educationally disadvantaged students who take college entrance and college readiness exams. Requires the board to develop a pilot program to award grants to postsecondary institutions for intensive programs to address the needs of students at risk of dropping out of college; specifies that an institution may be awarded a grant only if at least 50% of the students in the program demonstrate certain indicators. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB02258F.pdf
Title: S.B. 2258
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Existing policy requires a county with a population greater than 125,000 to develop a juvenile justice alternative education program. This provision adds that a county with a population greater than 125,000 is not required to develop a juvenile justice alternative education program if, with the state juvenile probation commission's approval, the county's juvenile board enters into a memorandum of understanding with each school district that outlines the responsibilities of the board and districts in minimizing the number of students expelled without receiving alternative educational services and includes specified coordination between districts and juvenile boards. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01425F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1425
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the state board, in adopting the essential knowledge and skills (state standards) for the health curriculum, to adopt essential knowledge and skills that address the dangers, causes, consequences, signs, symptoms and treatment of binge drinking and alcohol poisoning. Directs the state education agency to compile a list of evidence-based alcohol awareness programs for districts to choose from for use in the middle and high schools' health curriculum. Defines "evidence-based alcohol awareness program." http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01344F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1344
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows districts to grant excused absences for juniors and seniors visiting institutions of higher education. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02542F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2542
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows certain high school students to serve as election clerks. Provides an excused absence for such service. Adds new section 33.092 allowing a student election clerk to apply such time served toward a school service requirement or school project requirement, subject to local discretion. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01134F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1134
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires an entity subcontracting with a district, charter school or shared services agreement to obtain a criminal record information for employees who will have direct contact with students. Bars contracting or subcontracting entities from allowing an employee to have direct contact with students if the employee has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor offense that would prevent a person from obtaining certification as an educator. Adds provision regarding the use and sharing of criminal history information on school employees obtained by the state education agency. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02730F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2730 - Sections 6.11, 9A.03
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends provisions related to state subsidies for employer certification exams taken by career/technical students. Eliminates requirement that student demonstrate financial need. Specifies that eligible students must be in a program preparing for employment in a current or emerging high-demand, high-wage, high-skill occupation, or be enrolled in a special education program. Amends application and reimbursement process so that district rather student may pay (and be reimbursed for) employer certification exam fee. Directs the commissioner, in collaboration with the commissioner of higher education and the Texas Workforce
Commission, to determine the occupations that qualify for the subsidy.
Pages 16-18 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Section 22
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Section 49: Creates new section 42.008. Caps any funding increase that might occur to $350 per student.
Section 50: Amends basic allotment formula.
Section 51: Amends Section 42.106, "Tuition Allotment for Districts Not Offering All Grade Levels."
Section 53: Adds a district allotment for each student who has a parent in active duty in a combat zone or who has an active duty parent who transferred into the district during the school year due to action taken under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990. Specifies such funds may be used only to provide supplemental programs and services. Establishes conditions under which the commissioner may provide such allotments. Provides such allotments may not exceed $9.9 million in a school year. Specifies these provisions expire September 2013.
Section 54: In addition to existing annual allotment for grade 9-12 students in career and technology courses, provides additional $50 for each student who is enrolled in two or more such courses for a total of 3 or more credits, or if student is enrolled in an advanced course as part of a tech-prep program.
Section 55: Adds section 42.1541. Directs the state board to increase indirect cost allotments for special education, bilingual education, and career and technical education programs by the start of the 2009-10 school year. Provides section expires September 2010.
Pages 34-38 and 40-42 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Sections 49-51 and 53-55
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Adopted 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends §230.483(a)(4) to allow educator preparation programs to prepare teachers for health science technology education certification and trade and industrial education certification in one year. Amends §230.483(c) to clarify teaching experience may be used in lieu of on-the-job experience under the career and technical education certificate.
Title: 19 TAC 7.230.P.230.481 -.483
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the state plan for career and technology education developed by the state education agency to ensure that career and technology education provides a rigorous course of
study (consistent with the required curriculum that all districts must offer) and under which a student may receive specific education in a career and technology program that:
(A) Incorporates competencies leading to academic and technical skill attainment
(B) Leads to an industry-recognized license, credential, or certificate or an associate or baccalaureate degree
(C) Includes opportunities for students to earn college credit for coursework
(D) Includes, as an integral part of the program, participation by students and teachers in activities of career and technical student organizations supported by the agency and the state board of education.
Pages 37-38 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 41
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends calculation for providing charter school funding. Pages 3-4 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Section 5
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Adopted 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Modifies the definition of "former charter holder" by including those charter schools that have been ordered closed by any applicable section of the Texas Education Code. http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tacupdates/june2009/ch100aa.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 2.100.100.1011
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Bars the state from issuing a driver's license to a person under the age of 25 unless the person submits a driver education certificate that states that the person has completed and passed a state education agency-approved driver education and traffic safety course or driver education course (or approved equivalent), or if the person is 18 years of age or older, a driver education course approved by the Texas Education Agency. Authorizes the commissioner to charge a fee to each driver
education school in an amount not to exceed the actual expense incurred in the regulation of driver education courses. Directs the commissioner of education by rule to establish the curriculum and designate the educational materials a driver education course for minors and adults and a driver education course for adults only. Takes effect March 2010. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01317F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1317
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires districts to consider offering a driver's education course each school year. Authorizes districts to charge fees for courses or contract with a driver education school. Establishes requirements for minimum hours of behind-the-wheel and observation instruction in driver's education courses. Bars the issue or renewal of an individual's driver's education instructor license if the individual has 6 or more points assigned to his/her license. Requires the state to collect data on collisions of students taught by public schools, licensed driver education schools, and other entities that offer driver education courses, and on the collision rate of students taught by certain course instructors. Requires the state to issue an annual report listing the collision rate for students taught by each driver education entity and the collision rate for students taught by specified course instructors, noting the severity of collisions involving students of each entity and each type of course.
Directs the department of public safety to appoint a task force to review and make recommendations on the effectiveness of materials provided by the state education agency for use in driver training schools. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02730F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2730 - Sections 12.02 through -.04, 12.08, 12.13
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Drivers Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires driver education curriculum to include information regarding distractions while driving, including the effect of using a wireless communication device while driving. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01107F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1107
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Curriculum--Environmental Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Abolishes the Texas Environmental Education Partnership Fund. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02748F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2748
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Curriculum--Family Living Education |
Became law without governor's signature 06/2009 |
P-12 |
At the district's discrection, authorizes a teacher of a mandated parenting and paternity awareness program in the high school health curriculum to modify the suggested sequence and pace of the program. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01219F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1219
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Family Living Education |
Became law without governor's signature 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Authorizes districts to use in the middle school or junior high curriculum the parenting and paternity awareness (p.a.p.a.) program that is mandated for use in the high school health curriculum (http://www.tahperd.org/HOME_PDFs/papa_overview_wcontact.pdf). Permits a teacher, at the district's discretion, to modify the suggested sequence and pace of the program at any grade level. Authorizes districts to develop or adopt research-based programs and curriculum materials for use in conjunction with p.a.p.a. program. Directs the state education agency to evaluate such research-based programs and materials and distribute information about them to other districts. Specifies that a student younger than 14 may not participate in p.a.p.a. or research-based program without parental permission. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03076F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3076
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides that one of the services districts and campuses may purchase from regional education service centers is training and assistance in providing instruction in personal financial literacy. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Section 3
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Increases number of districts eligible to participate in the financial literacy pilot program from 25 to 100. Directs the state education agency to report to members of the legislature by January 2011 on implementation and effectiveness of the program.
Page 18 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Section 23
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Mathematics |
Vetoed 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Beginning in the 2012-13 school year, directs the higher education coordinating board to assist in repaying the eligible student loans of certain undergraduates who agree to teach math or science in districts determined by the state education agency to have teacher shortages in these subjects. Establishes the mathematics and science teacher investment fund to provide loan repayment assistance. Establishes limits on the number of individuals who may be provided loan assistance in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years, and in any school year. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00518F.pdf
Title: H.B. 518, Section 3
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Physical Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Specifies criteria that physical education programs must meet. Requires each district to establish specific objectives and goals the district intends to
accomplish through the physical education curriculum. Requires districts, in implementing the physical education curriculum, to establish student/teacher ratios sufficiently small to carry out the purposes of the curriculum and ensure student safety. Provides that if a district establishes a student-teacher ratio
greater than 45:1 in a physical education class, the district must identify the manner in which the safety of the students will be maintained. Directs the state board to ensure that the state standards (essential knowledge and skills) in physical education meet specified criteria. Extends daily physical activity requirement to students in full-day prekindergarten. Directs a district, to the extent practicable, to require a less than full-day prekindergarten student to participate in the same type and amount of physical activity as a student enrolled in full-day prekindergarten. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00891F.pdf
Title: S.B. 891
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Science |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Relates to instructional materials and technological equipment in public schools. Adds Section 31.0231, "Electronic Textbook and Instructional Material List." Directs the commissioner to adopt a list of electronic textbooks and instructional material including tools, models and investigative materials for use in the K-5 science curriculum. Requires state board to be given opportunity to review a textbook before it is placed on the list, and requires all textbooks to meet specified criteria, including that the textbook must be reviewed and recommended by experts in the subject area and in education technology. Specifies reimbursement procedures for a district that selects an electronic textbook or instructional material from the state list. Establishes conditions under which a district that selects a subscription-based electronic textbook or instructional material may may cancel the subscription and subscribe to a new electronic textbook or instructional material on the conforming list under Section 31.023 or the list adopted under Section 31.0231 before the end of the state contract period.
Amends Section 31.152 to clarify that it is an offense if a school trustee, administrator or teacher (1) receives any commission or rebate on electronic textbooks, instructional materials or technological equipment used in the schools with which that person is associated in a professional capacity, or (2) accepts a gift, favor or service that might influence him/her in the selection of a textbook, electronic textbook, instructional material or technological equipment.
Adds 32.351 through 32.355, "Computer Pilot Lending Program" (identical to that created by enrolled 2009 H.B. 2893 http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02893F.pdf).
Enrolled H.B. 4294: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB04294F.pdf
Title: H.B. 4294
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Demographics--Condition of Children/Adults |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the Texas AgriLife Extension Service to make a presentation to the commissioner of education and other agency heads and provide copies of reports to the Texas Education Agency and other specified agencies on:
(1) The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), which provides nutrition education for economically disadvantaged parents of young children
(2) The Better Living for Texans (BLT) program, a component of the national Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides education programs to food stamp recipients to help improve their ability to plan and prepare nutritious meals, stretch food dollars, and prepare and store food safely
(3) Other similar programs as determined by the extension service.
Requires the extension service to provide a copy of each aforementioned report to the legislature every other year. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03429F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3429
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Authorizes private higher education institutions to participate in specified engineering recruitment programs, including one-week summer programs for middle and high school students, and scholarship programs for engineering students. Directs the higher education coordinating board to conduct a study on the success of baccalaureate degree programs offered in applied science and applied technology at public junior colleges, and on the feasibility of expanding the offering of baccalaureate degrees by public junior colleges. Requires that the study consider specific factors, including the workforce needs served by the degree programs for various areas of the state. Requires the board to report the results of the study to legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over higher education by November 15, 2010. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02425F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2425
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Existing policy provides in-state tuition and fees to employees who took up residence in Texas as a result of employment by a business or organization established in the state as part of the program of state economic development and diversification. New provision specifies that a participating business or organization must have become established in the state no more than five years before the enrollment date for such employees to be eligible for in-state tuition. Directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in consultation with the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office, to establish procedures to determine which businesses are eligible for employees to receive in-state tuition. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB02244F.pdf
Title: S.B. 2244
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Finance--Bonds |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Adds "Intercept Program to Provide Credit Enhancement for Bonds," subchapter I, to Chapter 45 of the Education Code. Enhances districts' ability to borrow funds to cover capitol construction costs. Adds "Open-Enrollment Charter School Facilities Credit Enhancement Program," subchapter J, to Chapter 45 of the Education Code. Enacts similar provisions specific to charter schools.
Pages 73-85 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Section 75
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Finance--Bonds |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Section 66: Establishes provisions allowing a school district to adopt a budget after the district adopts a tax rate for the tax year in which the fiscal year covered by the budget begins. Section 86 makes a conforming change in the Tax Code.
Section 67: Adds section 44.908. Requires school districts to adopt policies governing the expenditure of local funds from vending machines, rentals, gate receipts or other local sources of revenue over which the district has direct control. Requires discretionary expenditures of local funds to be related to the district's educational purpose and provide a commensurate benefit to the district or its students and to meet the standards of Section 52, Article III, Texas Constitution, regarding expenditure of public funds.
Section 68: Specifies that the guarantee of district bonds remains in effect until the date those bonds mature or are defeased in accordance with state law.
Pages 67-68 and 96 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Sections 66-68 and 86
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends auditing procedures for and authority of county education departments in counties with a population of 3 million or more. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02549F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2549
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Section 17: Directs the commissioner, in reviewing a funding application for an extended year program, to give priority to districts with high concentrations of educationally disadvantaged students.
Section 18: Brings provisions related to flexible school day program applications in line with provisions outlined in 2009 H.B. 1297 (http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01297F.pdf)
Section 19: Directs the commissioner of education to distribute funds for life skills programs for student parents. Directs the commissioner to give priority to applicant districts that received funds for such a program the preceding year, and then to districts with the highest concentration of students who are pregant or parents. Specifies that a life skills programs for student parents is required only in districts that receive a state grant for this purpose and any other funds available for the program. Pages 13-16 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Sections 17-19
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Section 60: Provides that additional district allotment for students in average daily attendance in grades 9-12 must be paid at the same time as other state revenue is paid to the district, and must be based on amounts paid during the previous year. Defines how deficits and overpayments are to be addressed.
Section 61: Requires annual Foundation School Program payments for specified purposes to be made before a specified deadline for payment of debt service on bonds. Authorizes Foundation School Program payments after the deadline if the commissioner does not receive notice regarding a district's failure or inability to pay matured principal or interest on bonds. Pages 59-60 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Sections 60-61
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Specifies that, among other sections repealed, Sections 30A.153, "Allocation of Funds for Students Enrolled in School Districts and Open-Enrollment Charter Schools" and 30A.154, "Funding for Accelerated Students" are repealed. (Accelerated students are those taking more than a normal course load.) Page 105 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Section 105
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Finance--Resource Efficiency |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Former law called for the creation of a single financial accountability rating system. New enactment directs the commissioner, in consultation with the comptroller, to develop separate financial accountability rating systems for districts and charter schools that distinguish among districts and charter schools based on financial performance. Provides the system may not include an indicator or performance measure that requires a district to spend at least 65% of district operating funds or any other specified percentage for instructional purposes, or that lowers a district's financial management performance rating for failure to spend at least 65% or any other specified percentage of district operating funds for instructional purposes.
Creates new Section 39.0821, "Comptroller Review of Resource Allocation". Directs the comptroller to identify districts and campuses that use resource allocation practices that contribute to high academic achievement and cost-effective operations. Identifies process for the comptroller to evaluate relative performance of districts and campuses and identify potential areas for district and campus improvement. In reviewing district and campus resource allocation practices, directs the comptroller to ensure resources are being used for instruction by evaluating operating costs for students and programs, and the staffing cost for each student.
Adds new Section 39.0822, "Financial Solvency Review Required." Directs the state education agency to develop a review process to anticipate the future financial solvency of each school district. Provides the review process must analyze expeditures and revenues for the previous year, and projected expenditures and revenues for the current and following two school years. Identifies areas of expenditure that the review process must consider for the previous year, and for future years as appropriate. Directs the agency to develop an electronic-based program for districts to use in submitting information for purposes of the review process. Directs the commissioner to adopt rules to allow a district to enter estimates of critical data into the program before the district adopts its budget. Specifies capacities the program must contain, including the capacity to provide alerts for a student-to-staff ratio significantly outside the norm, a rapid depletion of the district general fund balance and a significant discrepancy between actual budget figures and projected revenues and expenditures. Such alerts must be developed to notify the agency immediately on occurence of one of the aforementioned conditions. After the agency is alerted, requires the agency to immediately notify the affected district regarding the condition triggering the alert. Also amends Section 39.083, to require each district's annual financial management report to include a description of the data submitted using the electronic-based program.
Adds new Section 39.0823, "Projected Deficit". Provides that if the review process under Section 39.0822 indicates a projected deficit for a school district general fund within the following three school years, the
district must provide the agency interim financial reports, supplemented by staff and student count data, as needed, to evaluate the district's current budget status. Provides that if the interim financial data substantiates the projected deficit, the district must develop a financial plan to submit to the agency for approval. Provides the agency may approve the plan only if the agency determines the plan will permit the district to avoid the projected insolvency. Requires the commissioner to assign a district an "accredited-warned" status if the district fails to submit a financial plan to the agency, fails to obtain agency approval for a plan, fails to comply with an agency-approved plan, or the agency determines in a subsequent school year, based on financial data submitted by the district, that the approved plan for the district is no longer sufficient or is not appropriately implemented.
Adds new Section 39.084, "Posting of Adopted Budget". Directs a district, upon the board of trustee's final approval of the budget, to post a copy of the adopted budget to the district Web site. Requires the district Web site to prominently display the link to the adopted budget. Requires the link to the adopted budget to remain on the district Web site until the third anniversary of the date the budget was adopted.
Pages 89-96 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 59 - Part III
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Section 40: Specifies that the state education agency is to use funds appropriated for such purposes to develop (1) summer study guides to help parents of students who do not perform satisfactorily on one or more portions of specified state assessments and (2) training materials and resources to assist teachers help English language learners meet state performance expectations.
Section 41: Shifts responsibility for bearing costs of preparing, administering or grading state assessments from districts to the state education agency.
Pages 28-29 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Sections 40 and 41
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Sets conditions and procedures permitting the the Teacher Retirement System to hire outside legal counsel to provide legal services. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01259F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1259
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Creates new Section 51.9192. Applies to first-time students enrolling in public, private and independent institutions of higher education on or after June 2010, and residing in on-campus housing. Requires such a student to provide a signed certificate evidencing that the student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. Provides exceptions on grounds of danger to student's health or on religious beliefs.
Creates new Section 51.971. Defines "compliance program" as process to assess and ensure postsecondary officer and employee compliance with applicable laws and policies, including those regarding ethics and standards of conduct financial reporting, internal accounting controls, and auditing. Allows an institution maintaining a compliance program to establish procedures to preserve the confidentiality of communications and anonymity of individuals making a report or participating in an investigation. Specifies types of information that must be confidential. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB04189F.pdf
Title: H.B. 4189
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the state education agency to establish a Web site for teachers of students with special health needs. Requires the Web site to include information on the treatment and management of chronic illnesses and common food allergies. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01322F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1322
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the campus improvement plan of an an elementary, middle or junior high school to set goals and objectives for a coordinated health program based on student fitness assessment data, student academic performance data, student attendance rates, the percentage of students who are educationally disadvantaged, the use and success of any method to ensure that students participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity and any other indicator recommended by the local school health advisory council. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00892F.pdf
Title: S.B. 892
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Adopted 06/2009 |
P-12 |
§7.150 is repealed and adopted with new language. Specifies requirements for school districts to follow in implementing an integrated pest management (IPM) program as provided by House Bill 2458 (HB 2458), 80th Regular Legislative Session, 2007. New §7.150 provides for continuing education and training requirements for newly appointed integrated pest management coordinators employed by school districts. Also provides for the responsibility of school districts to adopt an IPM program, sets forth the elements that an IPM program shall contain, provides for the appointment andnotification to the department of IPM coordinators, describes the responsibilities of the IPM coordinator and certified applicators and licensed technicians, and establishes categories of pesticides that are allowed to be used in school buildings and other facilities of school districts, provides for the approval for use requirement of each category and specifies the application restrictions associated with each category.
7.153: Specifies requirements for school districts to follow in implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program. Specifies that a pest control business that qualifies to use the reduced impact pest control service may use the consumer information sheet designed specifically for that service and that the consumer information sheet may be obtained from the department and through the department's Web site. http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0703/0703adop.pdf
Title: 4 TAC 1.7.7.150, .153
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Health--Child Abuse |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires districts to adopt policies regarding sexual abuse of children. Specifies that policies must address methods of increasing parent, student and teacher awareness of sexual abuse of children, including warning signs that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse; actions that a child victim of sexual abuse should take to obtain assistance; and available counseling options for students affected by sexual abuse.
Establishes task force to develop a strategy for reducing child abuse and improving child welfare. Directs the task force to develop goals for state policy to prevent child abuse, and submit a strategic plan by November 2010 to accomplish those goals.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01041F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1041
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Health--Child Abuse |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Relates to the authority of an administrative law judge to order the release of information concerning a child abuse and neglect investigation. Provides that on a motion of one of the parties in a case before an administrative law judge relating to the license or certification of an educator, the administrative law judge may order the disclosure of information that is confidential, after a hearing for which notice is provided. Provides for the confidentiality of the reporter of abuse or neglect. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02876F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2876
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
High School |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the commissioner to develop a system of distinction designations consistent with those developed for purposes of accreditation sanctions to be used in assigning distinction designations to Job Corps diploma programs. Pages 22-23 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 20
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--College Readiness |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Eliminates provision that a student's performance on a college-ready question on an end-of-course assessment may not be used to determine the student's performance on the assessment.
Pages 25-26 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 27
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--College Readiness |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires any research university that chooses to participate in the pilot program to:
(1) Post on its Web site the benchmarks students must meet (1) in subject areas for which the higher education coordinating board has adopted college readiness standards, (2) to demonstrate mastery of a language other than English, and (3) assessments or other means by which a student may demonstrate early readiness for college in each subject area. Assessments or other means must be equivalent to those used by the institution to place students in credit-bearing courses.
(2) Partner with at least 10 school districts whose location and student compositions reflect the geographic and socioeconomic diversity of the state
(3) Help school administrators, counselors and other educators in each of those school districts design the specific requirements of and implement the program.
Requires a research university that partners with a school district to enter into an agreement that the district will assess a student's mastery of the subject areas for which the higher education coordinating board has adopted college readiness standards, and a language other than English. Authorizes the district to award a high school diploma if the student demonstrates mastery of and early readiness for college in each of those subject areas and in a language other than English, notwithstanding any other local or state requirements. Provides that such a student is considered to have completed the recommended high school program, and clarifies that such a student is not guaranteed admission to any institution of higher education or to any academic program at an institution of higher education solely on the basis of having received the diploma through the program. Requires a participating research university to enter into an agreement with an education research center (established by the commissioner of education and the higher education coordinating board) to evaluate the program.By January 2013, directs the education research center to provide the commissioner and the commissioner of higher education with a copy of the report and to post the report to the center's Web site. Provides the report may include an analysis of the effects of the program on the university's admissions review process.
Pages 32-35 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 32
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--College Readiness |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Defines "college-readiness" as the level of preparation a student must attain in English language arts and math to enroll and succeed, without remediation, in an entry-level general education course in that subject at a general academic teaching institution, as defined by Section 61.003, other than a research institution as defined by the higher education coordinating board, or a postsecondary institution that primarily offers associate degrees or certificates or credentials other than baccalaureate or advanced degrees. Directs the state education agency and higher education coordinating board to ensure that the Algebra II and English III
end-of-course assessment instruments are developed to measure college readiness by the 2011-12 school year. Before the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, directs the agency, in collaboration with the higher education coordinating board, to gather data and conduct research studies to substantiate the correlation between a certain level of performance by students on the Algebra II and English III end-of-course assessments and college readiness. Requires such study to include an evaluation of any need for remediation courses to facilitate college readiness. Based on the results of the study, directs the commissioner of education and the commissioner of higher education to set college-ready benchmarks on the Algebra II and English III end-of-course assessments.
Directs the agency, in collaboration with the higher education coordinating board, to conduct a similar study for the appropriate science and social studies end-of-course assessments. Provides that if the commissioner of education, in collaboration with the commissioner of higher education, determines that the research studies substantiate a correlation between a certain level of performance on science and social studies end-of-course assessment instruments and college readiness, the commissioner of education, in collaboration with the commissioner of higher education, may establish college-ready benchmarks for science and social studies end-of-course assessments. Directs the agency and the higher education coordinating board, by December 2012, to deliver to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the clerks of the standing committees of the senate and the house K-12 and higher education committees an analysis of the feasibility of establishing college readiness performance standards for science and social studies end-of-course assessments, and a summary of any implementation procedures adopted for each standard. Directs the agency, in collaboration with the higher education coordinating board, to continue to gather data to perform correlation studies on Algebra II, English III and science and social studies end-of-course assessments at least every three years.
Directs the agency and the higher education coordinating board to periodically review the college readiness performance standards and compare the performance standards to performance standards established
nationally and internationally for comparable assessment instruments. Following each review, directs the agency and the higher education coordinating board to deliver to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house, and the clerks of the standing committees of the senate and the house of representatives K-12 and higher education committees a report on the results of the review indicating whether the college readiness performance standards are sufficiently rigorous to prepare students to compete academically with students nationally and internationally. Provides that if the agency and the higher education coordinating board
determine that the college readiness performance standards are not sufficiently rigorous, the agency and the coordinating board must recommend changes to the college readiness performance standards.
Directs the agency to gather data and conduct research to substantiate any correlation between a certain level of performance by students on end-of-course assessments and success in military service or a workforce training, certification, or other credential program at a postsecondary educational institution that primarily offers associate degrees or certificates or credentials other than baccalaureate or advanced degrees.
Pages 50-54 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 53, Part I
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--College Readiness |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Section 61: Provides that a student who has completed a recommended or advanced high school program and demonstrated the performance standard for college readiness on the Algebra II and English III end-of-course assessments is exempt from the placement testing requirement upon entering an institution of higher education.
Section 63: Permits the commissioner of education and the commissioner of higher education, in consultation with the comptroller and the Texas Workforce Commission, to award a grant of up to $1 million to an institution of higher education to develop advanced math and science courses to prepare students for employment in a high-demand occupation, as jointly defined by the commissioner of higher education, the
commissioner of education, the comptroller, and the Texas Workforce Commission. Requires an institution of higher education to work with at least one school district and a business entity in developing a course. Requires any course developed to:
(1) Provide content enabling a student to develop the skills needed for employment or additional training in a high-demand occupation
(2) Incorporate college and career readiness skills into the curriculum
(3) Be offered for dual credit, and
(4) Satisfy a math or science requirement under the recommended or advanced high school program.
Requires an institution of higher education to revise the curriculum for such a course to accommodate changes in industry standards for the high-demand occupation. Requires the establishment of application criteria, which must give priority to courses that:
(1) Will prepare students for high-demand, high-wage and high-skill occupations and further postsecondary study
(2) May be transferred as college credit to multiple institutions of higher education, and
(3) Are developed as part of a sequence of courses that includes statewide availability of the instructional materials and training for the courses at a nominal cost to public educational institutions.
Identifies permissible uses of funds by postsecondary institutions. Requires courses developed through the grant to be reviewed once every four years to determine whether the course:
(1) Is being used by public educational institutions
(2) Prepares high school students with the skills necessary for employment in the high-demand occupation and further postsecondary study; and
(3) Satisfies a math or science requirement for the recommended or advanced high school program.
Requires a grant recipient to obtain matching funds, equal to the amount of the state grant, from one or more business entities in the industry for which students taking courses developed through this program are training. Limits total grant awards in any fiscal biennium to $10 million.
Pages 164-168 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 61 and 63 (College Placement Testing and Math, Science Courses for High-Demand Occupations)
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Community College |
Authorizes junior colleges (two-year institutions) to enter into agreements with school districts to offer courses for joint high school and college credit, regardless of whether the high school is in the service area of the junior college district. Specifies that a junior college may enter into an agreement with a high school in another junior college district's service area only if the other junior college district is unable to provide the requested course. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02480F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2480
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Specifies that a district is not required to pay a student's tuition or other costs to participate in the college credit program as established in section 28.009. This provision expires September 1, 2011. Page 12 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Section 15
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the commissioner of education, in collaboration with the commissioner of higher education, to conduct a study of dual credit programs and courses. Provides the study must focus on the costs to the state, school district, community college and student. Requires the commissioner, based on the results of the study, to make recommendations to the 82nd Legislature (to convene in 2011) on how to provide all students with the opportunity to earn 12 semester credit hours of college credit before graduating from high school, how to ensure efficient use of state resources regarding dual credit programs and courses, and how to promote the ability of students to access quality dual credit courses. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Section 91
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--Early Colleges/Middle Colleges |
Vetoed 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
From Bill Analysis (http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/analysis/pdf/SB01343F.pdf):
Students in a four-year institution are required to have 120 credit hours in order to receive their degree. Currently, there is a "30-hour rule" that allows students to take up to 30 extra hours before graduating without being penalized with out-of-state tuition rates. This rule exempts students who have previously earned a baccalaureate degree, allowing them to complete a second degree with possibly more than 150 hours on their transcript. The rule does not, however, exempt students who have previously earned an associate degree, about 66 hours of transferrable coursework.
In Texas, there are 29 Early College high schools and many programs around the state that allow high school students to graduate with an associate degree along with their high school diploma. When these students transfer to a four-year institution, their 66 associate degree hours transfer either toward their baccalaureate degree or as elective hours, depending on the university. Normally, about half of the hours are counted as elective hours, putting students over the 30-extra hours they are allowed to take before being penalized with higher tuition rates by the time they reach junior or senior status.
The purpose of this bill is to add students with associate degrees to the list of exemptions in order for them to be able to continue to four-year institutions without worrying about higher tuition rates toward the end of their college careers.
S.B. 1343 relates to the formula funding for public institutions of higher education for certain credit hours that do not count toward a degree.
Bill text: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01343F.pdf
Governor's veto message: http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/scanned/vetoes/81/sb1343.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1343
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--Exit Exams |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Repeals existing language on means to determine completion of end-of-course assessment requirements. Replaces with language requiring students to achieve a cumulative score that is at least equal to the
product of the number of end-of-course assessment instruments administered to the student in that subject and a scale score that indicates satisfactory performance, as determined by the commissioner. Requires students to achieve a minimum score as determined by the commissioner to be within a reasonable range of the scale score. Provides that in addition to the aforementioned cumulative score requirements, a student must achieve a score that meets or exceeds the score determined by the commissioner under Section 39.0241(a) for English III and Algebra II end-of-course assessments to graduate under the recommended high school program, and must achieve a score that meets or exceeds the score determined by the commissioner under Section 39.0241(a-1) on English III and Algebra II end-of-course assessment
instruments in order to graduate under the advanced high school program. Permits a student who fails to perform satisfactorily on an Algebra II or English III end-of-course assessment under the college readiness performance standard to retake the exam. Revises means of identifying students for participation in accelerated instruction based on inadequate performance on an end-of-course assessment.
Authorizes the commissioner by rule to determine a method by which a student's satisfactory performance on the PSAT or a preliminary ACT assessment may be used as a factor in determining whether the student satisfies the end-of-course assessment requirements.
Bars a district from administering an exit exam administered as Section 39.025 existed before September 1, 1999. Authorizes a school district to administer to a student who failed to perform satisfactorily on
an assessment instrument administered as Section 39.025 existed before September 1, 1999 an alternate assessment instrument designated by the commissioner. Directs the commissioner to determine the level of performance to be considered satisfactory on an alternate assessment. Bars the district from assessing in an alternate assessment a subject that was was not assessed in an exit exam administered under Section 39.025 as Section 39.025 existed before September 1, 1999. Provides that the commissioner's determination regarding designation of an appropriate alternate assessment and the performance required on the assessment is final and may not be appealed.
Provides a student entering a grade above grade 9 during the 2011-12 school year may not receive a high school diploma unless the student has performed satisfactorily on each required assessment instrument administered under Section 39.023(c) as that section existed before amendment by Chapter 1312 (S.B. No. 1031), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007.
Pages 58-63 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 54
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the state board to designate the specific foundation courses (English, math, science, social studies) required for completion of the minimum, recommended or advanced high school program. Specifies that, with the exception of courses stated in this legislative provision, the state board may not designate any courses in the enrichment curriculum (career/technical education, economics, arts, health/physical education, foreign language, technology applications and religious literature) as requirements for the recommended program.
Clarifies that an agreement by a student, student's parent and school counselor or adminstrator for a student to opt into the minimum curriculum program must be in writing and signed by each party. Also requires the student opting into the minimum curriculum program to either be at least 16 years old, have completed at least 2 credits required for graduation from each subject in the foundation curriculum, or have failed to be promoted to grade 10 one or more times as determined by the district. Provides that before a student's parent may agree that the student complete the minimum high school program, a district must provide the parent with written notice explaining the benefits of the recommended high school program. Provides the notice must be developed by the state education agency and be printed in English and Spanish, and that the notice require the student's parent to sign a confirmation of receipt and return the confirmation to the student's campus. Adds that a student agreeing to complete the minimum program requirements may, upon request, resume taking courses under the recommended high school program.
Adds to legislation provisions already adopted in rule by the state board, namely that the social studies units for students completing the recommended and advanced programs include at least one-half credit each in government and economics; that two credits in the same foreign language are required for the recommended program and three credits in the same foreign language are required for the advanced program; and that one credit in fine arts is required for the recommended and advanced programs. Increases elective credits to six credits for the recommended program, and five credits for the advanced program. Adds requirement that students in minimum program complete one credit in fine arts. Specifies that students in minimum, recommended and advanced programs complete one credit in physical education (graduation requirements as currently set in administrative rule require 1.5 credits physical education for minimum, recommended and advanced program students).
Directs the state board, in adopting rules regarding courses that may fulfill the recommended program requirements, to approve a variety of math and science courses that may be taken after Algebra II and physics. Provides that approved math or science courses taken after Algebra II and physics in compliance with recommended program requirements must be endorsed by an institution of higher education as (1) a course for which the institution would award course credit or (2) as a prerequisite for a course for which the institution would award credit.
Authorizes a district to offer the four credits for the foundation curriculum in the recommended and advanced programs in an applied manner. Requires such courses delivered in an applied manner to cover the essential knowledge and skills (state standards), and requires students in applied courses to take the applicable end-of-course assessment.
Directs the state board, in coordination with the higher education coordinating board, to adopt rules to ensure that a student in the minimum, recommended or advanced high school program may complete courses for each subject of the foundation curriculum or foreign language courses by successfully completing appropriate courses through an institution of higher education.
Directs the agency to establish a pilot program allowing a student in a county with a population of more than one million and in which more than 80% of the population resides in a single municipality to satisfy the fine arts credit by participating in a fine arts program not provided by the school district, either on or off campus and potentially outside the school day. Directs the agency to report to the legislature on the pilot program by December 2010, including the feasibility of expanding the pilot program statewide. Authorizes a district, with the commissioner's approval, to allow a student to complete the physical education requirement by participating in a private or commercially sponsored physical activity program on or off the school campus and potentially outside the school day.
Pages 28-32 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 30
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs all school districts to adopt a grading policy before each school year. Specifies the district grading policy (1) must require a classroom teacher to assign a grade that reflects the student's relative mastery of an assignment; (2) may not require a classroom teacher to assign a minimum grade for an assignment without regard to the student's quality of work; and (3) may allow a student a reasonable opportunity to make up or redo a class assignment or examination for which the
student received a failing grade. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB02033F.pdf
Title: S.B. 2033
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends Section 28.0252, authorizing the commissioner of education to develop a standard method of calculating student grade point average (GPA), including weights for advanced courses. Eliminates provision that if a conflict arises between that method and the method adopted by the higher education coordinating board, the student's GPA must be calculated in accordance with the coordinating board's method for determining the student's eligibility for university admission. Page 32 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3- Section 31
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates the Council on Children and Families to coordinate the state's health, education and human services systems to ensure that children and families have access to needed services, and improve efficiency in the provision of services. Establishes council membership, including the commissioner of education. Specifies the duties of the council, including, among others:
(1) Analyze council members' biennial legislative appropriation requests and identify appropriations that, through coordination, could be modified in the next request to eliminate waste or increase available services
(2) Investigate opportunities to increase flexible funding for health, education and human services for children and families
(3) Identify methods to remove barriers to local coordination of health, education and human services provided to children and families
(4) Identify methods to ensure that children and youth receive appropriate assessment, diagnoses and intervention services.
Authorizes council members to enter into memoranda of understanding with other agencies to implement any method, process, policy, or recommendation identified as part of the council's duties. Establishes procedures that must be followed before a method, process, policy or recommendation is implemented. Directs the council to issue to the governor, lieutenant governor and legislative members a biennial report containing specified content, including recommendations of any legislation needed to improve a statewide system of quality health, education and human services for children and families. Establishes September 2019 sunset provision. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01646F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1646
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Clarifies language in Section 11.203 regarding participation in the school leadership pilot program for principals. Specifies that an individual serving as principal of a school rated academically unacceptable the previous school year must participate in the program. Eliminates requirement that the person hired to replace such a principal participate in the school leadership pilot program the year following a school's rating as academically unacceptable. Page 11 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 9
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Middle School |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Extends the high school innovation grant initiative to middle and junior high schools. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02263F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2263
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Middle School |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board to adopt rules requiring students in grades 6-8 to complete at least one fine arts course.
Each time the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board revises the Internet database of the coordinating board's official statewide inventory of workforce education courses, requires the state board of education to revise the essential knowledge and skills (standards) of any corresponding career and technology education curriculum.
Clarifies that a school district may not vary the curriculum for a course in the required curriculum based on whether a student is enrolled in the minimum, recognized, or advanced high school program.
Pages 24-25 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 25
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Section 26: Amends provisions regarding eligibility for full-time enrollment in courses provided through the state virtual school network.
Section 27: Clarifies that state virtual school network provisions in Chapter 30A of the Education Code do not apply to a virtual course provided by a school district only to district students if the course is not provided as part of the state virtual school network.
Section 28: Adds Section 30A.006. Provides that an electronic course or program that was offered or could have been offered during the 2008-09 school year may be offered during a subsequent school year through the state virtual school network. Authorizes the commissioner to amend any provision of Chapter 30A as necessary to provide for the transition of an electronic course or program from the authority to operate under former Section 29.909 ("Electronic Courses") to the authority to operate under Chapter 30A ("State Virtual School Network").
Section 29: Existing provisions require a charter school to be rated "recognized" or higher to act as a provider school, (providing an electronic course through the state virtual school network to students in that school or another school). Amendments specify that a charter school campus must be rated "recognized" or higher to act as a provider school. Permits a campus rated "academically acceptable" to act as a provider school to students receiving educational services through a juvenile probation department, the Texas Youth Commission, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Specifies that a charter school campus may serve as a provider school to a student in another school only through an agreement with the district in which the student resides, or, in the case of a corrections education student, through an agreement with the applicable agency.
Section 30: Specifies that a course offered through the state virtual school network must be aligned with state standards for a grade level at or above grade 3.
Section 31: Shifts responsibility for paying for evaluation of electronic courses from submitting district, charter school or higher education institution to the state education agency. Provides that if available agency funds are insufficient to pay the costs of evaluating and approving all electronic courses submitted for evaluation and approval, the agency must give priority to paying the costs of evaluating and approving courses that satisfy high school graduation requirements; that would likely benefit a student seeking college admission; that allow students to earn college credit or advanced credit (including dual credit courses); courses most likely to be beneficial to students receiving educational services through a juvenile probation department, the Texas Youth Commission, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; and courses in subject areas designated as commonly experiencing a shortage of teachers. If the state education agency has insufficient funds to evaluate and approve a course developed and submitted by a district, charter school or postsecondary institution, permits the district, charter school or postsecondary institution to pay the evaluation and approval costs in order to ensure that evaluation of the course occurs. Eliminates provisions providing definition of whether a district, charter school, or institution of higher education developed an electronic course.
Section 32: Entitles a student who transfers from one educational setting to another after beginning enrollment in an electronic course to continued enrollment in the course.
NOTE: This bill also repeals Section 29.909, "Electronic Courses."
Pages 18-24 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Sections 26-32
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Section 35: Directs the commissioner to establish rules regarding procedures for verifying that teachers of electronic courses through the state virtual school network successfully completed the required professional development before teaching the course. Requires the commissioner to establish by rule qualifications
and professional development requirements applicable to college instructors providing dual credit courses for high school and college credit through
the state virtual school network.
Section 36: Authorizes districts or open-enrollment charter schools to offer professional development courses to teachers seeking authorization to teach electronic courses through the state virtual school network. Requires the state education agency to review each district or charter school's professional development course to ensure it meets state-set quality standards before the course may be offered.
Section 37: Specifies that for a full-time grade 3-8 course offered through the state virtual school network, the district or charter school is eligibile for federal, state and local funding for that student at a level equal to the funding the district or school would otherwise receive for the student. Provides the student's average daily attendance may be calculated based on hours of contact with the student, student's completion of a course, or a method approved by the commissioner.
Section 38: Authorizes a district or charter school to charge a fee to a student who enrolls in a state virtual school network course during the summer. Authorizes a district or charter school that is not providing the course to charge a nominal fee to a student who enrolls in a state virtual school network course that exceeds the course load normally taken by students in the equivalent grade level.
NOTE: This bill also repeals Section 29.909, "Electronic Courses."
Pages 24-28 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Sections 35-38
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Section 92: Directs the state education agency to evaluate whether providers of different types of electronic courses offered through the state virtual school network should receive varying amounts of state funding based on the type of course provided. Requires the agency to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 2011.
Section 93: Directs the state education agency to investigate the feasibility of making language acquisition courses available through the state virtual school network by obtaining state subscriptions or pursuing other possible means of access. Requires the agency to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 2011. If the agency determines that it is feasible to make language acquisition courses available through the network, requires the report to include recommended mechanisms for ensuring progress towards language proficiency of students enrolled in those courses.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Sections 92 and 98
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
P-3 |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the Texas Education Agency to seek, accept and distribute grants awarded by the federal government or any other public or private entity for the benefit of public elementary and secondary education. Authorizes the commissioner, for purposes of determining program eligibility for federal grant funds, that a Head Start program run by a school district or a community-based organization serves the function of an elementary school by providing elementary education at one or more program facilities. Specifies that this does not make the Head Start program eligible for state funds for which it would not otherwise be eligible. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00635F.pdf
Title: H.B. 635
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
P-3 |
Adopted 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Sets forth actions the workforce commission and local workforce development boards must take when a child care provider is placed on corrective or adverse action by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Describes board requirements regarding providers placed on evaluation corrective action. Requires boards to ensure that parents with children currently enrolled in commission-funded child care with the provider are notified in writing of the provider's evaluation status. Requires boards to ensure that parents choosing to enroll a child in commission-funded child care with a provider on evaluation status are notified of the provider's status with DFPS prior to enrolling the child. Adopted without changes to version published in March 13, 2009 Register (starting page 21 of 26): http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0313/0313prop.pdf
Title: 40 TAC 20.809.E.809.94
Source: www.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Relates to requiring a public institution of higher education to make available to the public on the institution's Internet Web site the syllabus for each undergraduate course, each instructor's curriculum vitae, and, if available, the most recent departmental budget report of the department under which the course is offered. Adds provisions ensuring the relative ease of locating such information. Directs each institution of higher education to report biennially to specified state policymakers on the institution's compliance with this section. Also requires institutions of higher education to conduct end-of-course student evaluations of faculty
and develop a plan to make evaluations available on the institution's Web site.
Directs each institution of higher education to establish and maintain an online list of on-campus work-study employment opportunities, sorted by department as
appropriate, and ensure this list is easily accessible on the institution's financial aid section of its Web site.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02504F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2504 - Section 1 and 2
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
These identical companion bills authorize institutions of higher education to charge students an environmental service fee, if approved by a majority vote of students in a general student election. Specify amounts a fee may not exceed. Provide fee may be used only to (1) provide environmental improvements at the institution through services related to recycling, energy efficiency and renewable energy, transportation, employment, product purchasing, planning and maintenance, or irrigation, or (2) provide matching funds for grants to obtain such improvements.
H.B. 3353: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03353F.pdf
S.B. 2182: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB02182F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3353 and S.B. 2182
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Directs each research university and emerging research university to submit to the coordinating board a strategic plan documenting the institution's strategy to achieve recognition as a research university or enhance the university's reputation as a research university. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00051F.pdf
Title: H.B. 51 - Section 1
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Creates a select interim committee to study the feasibility of maintaining a searchable electronic database or other data collection regarding specialized technology research projects at Texas public universities or other facilities operated by a state agency, so as to facilitate coordination by universities and facilities on the projects and improve access to and awareness of the specialized research and technologies developed at those institutions and facilities. Requires the study to consider, among other issues, the information the data collection would include, such as (1) a list of projects involving (a) Energy research, including methods of creation, storage, distribution and conservation of energy; (b) Biomedical science research, including research that involves stem cells or human cloning; (c) Nanotechnology research, including nanomedicine; (d) Other specialized technology research; (2) other relevant information, inculding available technology and patents obtained, and public grants or contracts awarded. Also requires the study to examine the current state of public access to information about specialized technology research projects, and best methods of facilitating access to the information. Directs the committee to report its findings and recommendations to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the house by December 2010. Requires the committee's recommendations to include specific legislation to address the need for and feasibility of establishing a
data collection as determined by the committee's findings. Provides the committee is abolished January 16, 2011. Pages 29-32 of 36: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00051F.pdf
Title: H.B. 51 - Section 18
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Creates new Section 61.0904. Directs the higher education coordinating board to conduct a review at least once every 10 years of the institutional groupings under the board's accountability system,
including a review of the criteria for and definitions assigned to those groupings. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00051F.pdf
Title: H.B. 51 - Section 7
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Creates new Section 56.014. Directs institutions of higher education that are required to set aside a portion of student tuition payments to provide financial aid to notify each student from which a portion of tuition payments is set aside of the amount required to be set aside for this purpose. Provides this section applies beginning with tuition charged for the springn 2010 semester. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01304F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1304
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Amends provision of resident tuition for competitive scholarship recipients. Authorizes institutions to determine whether to charge resident tuition to nonresidents who hold a competitive scholarship of at least $1,000 (previously such students were automatically entitled to resident tuition). Clarifies that nonresident students eligible for resident tuition in the 2009-2010 academic year as this provision existed on January 1, 2009 are entitled to pay resident tuition as long as the student remains enrolled in the same certificate or degree program. Requires students to declare, before receiving a scholarship, whether the student is related to a current member of the institution's or system's governing board (previously, students were required to make this certification when applying for a scholarship. The amendment will simplify the process for students of applying for institutional scholarships.) http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB04244F.pdf
Title: H.B. 4244
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Creates the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program. Provides eligible students must be a member in good standing of an ROTC program while enrolled in a public or private institution of higher education in the state, be appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor or a state legislator, and enter into an agreement that, among other requirements, the student will complete four years of ROTC training and, after graduation, enter into a four-year commitment to serve in the Texas Army or Air Force National Guard or as a commissioned officer in any branch of the U.S. armed forces.. Provides that in each year, the governor and the lieutenant governor may each appoint two students and each state senator and each state representative may appoint one student to receive an initial scholarship. Requires the higher education coordinating board to award such scholarships beginning with the 2010-11 academic year. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03452F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3452
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Directs the higher education coordinating board to prescribe uniform standards to ensure that information on the cost of attending Texas public higher education institutions is available in a manner that is readily accessible and easily understandable to prospective students and their families. Requires that the uniform standards address all elements that constitute the total cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, room and board costs, book and supply costs, transportation costs, and other personal expenses. Requires all public institutions offering undergraduate programs to prominently display on the institution Web site information on the cost of full-time first-year attendance, aligned to the uniform standards. Requires any public institution's printed or electronic materials on the cost of undergraduate attendance to conform to the uniform standards. Requires public institutions to consider these uniform standards when providing information on the cost of attendance to prospective nonresident, graduate or professional program students.
Directs the board to prescribe requirements for an institution of higher education to provide on the institution's Web site consumer-friendly and readily understandable information regarding student financial aid opportunities, and requires this information to be provided in connection with the aforementioned information on the cost of attending the institution as a full-time first-year student. Requires the information to include a link to the FAFSA Web site intended to assist persons applying for student financial aid. Also requires the board to provide on its Web site a program or tool that will compute the estimated net cost of attendance for a full-time first-year student at each institution of higher education, and requires the board to make this tool or program available
Requires the board to prescribe the initial standards and requirements by January 2010, and for institutions to comply by April 2010. Directs the board to encourage private institutions of higher education to participate in the tuition equalization grant program, to prominently display information on cost of attendance for full-time first-year students in accordance with board standards, and to conform to those standards in printed and electronic materials that provide information on cost of attendance to prospective undergraduate students. Also directs the board to encourage those institutions to include on their Web sites a link to the FAFSA Web site, and to make the net price calculator tool available to private institutions for posting on their Web sites.
H.B. 2504: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02504F.pdf
S.B. 1764: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01764F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2504 - Section 3 and S.B. 1764
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Amends existing language on tuition and fee exemptions for firefighters. Adds new subsection providing tuition/fee exemptions to peace officers who enroll in undergraduate criminal justice or law enforcement courses. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02347F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2347
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Vetoed 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Re-establishes the Texas Save and Match Program (currently under 54.7521). Under new program, the prepaid higher education tuition board opens a matching account for each eligible beneficiary and matches contributions to that account. Defines eligible beneficiary as Texas resident or dependent thereof, child under age 7, and in a household whose income is no more than 400% of the federal poverty level. Allows eligible beneficiary to participate for no more than five years, either consecutive or nonconsecutive, provided beneficiary meets eligibility requirements. Establishes differential matching guidelines based on whether an eligible beneficiary's household income is 200%, 300% or between 300-400% of the federal poverty level. Authorizes the board to establish pilot projects under the program to incentivize participation in the Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Program, the Higher Education Savings Program, and the Prepaid Tuition Unit Undergraduate Education Program.
Adds provisions regarding the exclusion of certain assets in prepaid tuition programs and higher education savings plans for purposes of determining eligibility for state health and welfare assistance programs. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01760F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1760
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Amends provisions related to to tuition and laboratory fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education for qualified volunteer firefighters enrolled in fire science courses. Clarifies that tuition and fee exemptions are only for courses offered as part of a fire science curriculum. Adds certain volunteer firefighters to those eligible for a tuition and fee exemption. Clarifies that exemptions are only for those firefighters making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate. Directs the higher education coordinating board to adopt rules governing the granting or denial of an exemption, including rules relating to the determination of a student's eligibility for an exemption and a uniform listing of degree programs covered by the exemption. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02013F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2013
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Existing law provides an exemption from student fees for military personnel. Amended provision also provides military personnel with tuition exemption; adds that for any such exemption, the person must have entered into service at a location in the state, have listed Texas as the person's home, or otherwise have been determined to be a Texas resident at the time the person entered the service. Provides grandfather clause for military personnel who were receiving an exemption before specific residency requirement established by the present Act. Extends tuition and fee exemptions to resident spouses of military personnel who died or were totally disabled while in service.
Directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to prescribe by rule procedures to allow a service member who becomes eligible for an exemption to waive the person's right to any unused portion of the maximum number of cumulative credit hours for which the person could receive the exemption and assign the exemption for the unused portion of those credit hours to a child of the person.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00093F.pdf
Title: S.B. 93
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Establishes scholarship program for students graduating in the top 10% of their high school class, to encourage them to public institutions of higher education in the state. Establishes additional scholarship eligibility criteria, ineligibility criteria, scholarship amounts, and continuing eligibility criteria. Pages 12-18 of 21: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00175F.pdf
Title: S.B. 175 - Section 5
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Textbooks |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Requires each institution of higher education to provide all students with written notification on the availability of required textbooks through university-affiliated bookstores and retailers other than university-affiliated bookstores. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01096F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1096
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Amends provisions relating to postsecondary fee waivers for military personnel and their children. Authorizes public technical institutes and public state colleges to establish a fee for extraordinary costs associated with a specific course or program that are not subject to the fee waiver. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00847F.pdf
Title: S.B. 847
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Allows in-state tuition to any veteran who files with the institution at which he/she intends to register a letter of intent to establish residence in this state and is either (1) eligible for benefits under the federal
Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or any other federal law authorizing educational benefits for veterans or (2) a spouse or child age 25 or younger of such a veteran. Also requires institutions of higher education to exempt from in-state tuition to any dependent child of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is a Texas resident or is otherwise entitled to pay resident tuition, for any semester or other academic term during which the member of the armed forces is deployed on active duty for the purpose of engaging in a combative military operation outside the U.S. Directs the legislature, in its appropriations to institutions of higher education, to provide sufficient funds to cover the full costs of these exemptions. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00297F.pdf
Title: S.B. 297
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Makes various changes allowing tuition units purchased through the Prepaid Tuition Unit Undergraduate Education Program to be used to pay tuition and fees at a coordinating board-approved career school. Adds provision authorizing a state employee to make payroll deduction for contributions to the Texas Save and Match program. Directs the plan manager to report at least quarterly on all funds distributed during the previous quarter. Authorizes the comptroller to request that the plan manager provide additional information at any time necessary to ensure that the fund's assets are adequately protected. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01941F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1941
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Provides that the requirement that 6 months elapse between a higher education state employee's merit salary increases does not apply to a one-time merit payment if the chief administrative officer of the institution of higher education determines in writing that the one-time merit payment is made in relation to the employee's performance during a natural disaster or other extraordinary circumstance. Permits a state employee, with authorization from the administrative head of the agency for which an employee works, or that person's designee, to be paid for the hours of compensatory time the employee earns for work directly related to a disaster or emergency declared by the appropriate officer of the state or federal government. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB02298F.pdf
Title: S.B. 2298
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Section 5: Directs the higher education coordinating board biennially to determine the appropriate amount for funding the program in Section 61.0596 (see below, "University Funding for Excellence in Specific Programs and Fields; Incentive Grants") in the next fiscal biennium, and to make recommendations to the governor and the legislative budget board for funding those programs in that biennium.
Section 6: Creates Section 61.0596, "University Funding for Excellence in Specific Programs and Fields; Incentive Grants". Provides that the section is to help general academic teaching institutions that are not categorized as "research universities" or "emerging research universities" in the state system to develop and maintain specific programs or fields of study of the highest national rank or recognition for that type of program or field. To that end, directs the higher education coordinating board to award incentive grants to general academic teaching institutions that the board considers to have demonstrated the greatest commitment to success in developing or improving the quality of the institution's existing degree program. Requires institutions to use such grants for faculty recruitment or other faculty support for the degree program for which the grant is awarded, including establishment of endowed faculty positions or enhancement of faculty compensation. Specifies that an institution may designate only one degree program at a time for consideration for new incentive grant funding. Directs the higher education coordinating board to set a series of benchmarks for each degree program designated by an institution. Provides the institution becomes eligible for incentive grant funding for each benchmark the board determines the institution to have met. Provides that in addition to supporting programs designated to receive incentive grants, the board must provide additional funds as the board deems appropriate to help general academic teaching institutions maintain the excellence of programs or fields of study that have achieved the highest national ranking or recognition for that type of program or field. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00051F.pdf
Title: H.B. 51 - Section 5 and 6
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Adds Subchapters C, D, F and G to Chapter 62 of the Education Code.
Subchapter C creates the "Research University Development Fund" to provide research universities and emerging research universities with funding to recruit and retain highly qualified faculty and enhance research productivity at those universities. For each state fiscal year, directs the higher education coordinating board to distribute any funds legislatively appropriated for this purpose (and any other funds available for this purpose) to research universities and/or emerging research universities based on the average amount of total research funds expended by each institution annually during the three most recent state fiscal years, according to rates based on the average annual amount of research funds expended by the institution.
Subchapter D creates "Performance Incentive Funding". Defines "critical field" to include (1) engineering, computer science, math, physical science, allied health, nursing, or teacher certification in science or math and (2) any other field of study identified as a critical field by the coordinating board in "Closing the Gaps," the state's master plan for higher education. Defines "at-risk student" as an undergraduate student at a general academic teaching institution other than a public state college who meets any of the following criteria:
(1) Whose SAT or ACT score is less than the national mean score
(2) Who has been awarded a Pell Grant
(3) Who was at least 20 years old on the date of initial enrollment in the institution
(4) Who is enrolled as a part-time student
(5) Who did not receive a high school diploma but received a high school equivalency certificate within the last 6 years.
For each state fiscal year, directs the higher education coordinating board to distribute any legislatively appropriated performance incentive funds (and any other funds available for this purpose) to general academic teaching institutions according to a formula established in legislation and based on degrees awarded to at-risk and not at-risk students in critical fields and noncritical fields, with degrees awarded in noncritical fields/to not at-risk students receiving the lowest weight, degrees awarded in noncritical fields/ to at-risk students and in critical fields/ to not at-risk student receiving additional weight, and degrees awarded in critical fields to at-risk students receiving the highest weight.
Subchapter F creates the "Texas Research Incentive Program" (TRIP). Directs the higher education coordinating board to develop and administer the Texas Research Incentive Program (TRIP), to provide matching funds to help emerging research universities leverage private gifts to enhance research productivity and faculty recruitment. Establishes a formula for the state to provide matching grants to emerging research universities that receive private gifts or endowments aimed at enhancing research activities at the institution, including a gift or endowment for endowed chairs, professorships, facilities, equipment, program costs, or graduate stipends or fellowships. Identifies circumstances under which an eligible institution is not entitled to matching funds under the program. Provides that in the event of insufficient funds to provide matching grants to all eligible institutions, matching grants must be awarded in order of the date on which their receipt is certified by the coordinating board.
Subchapter G creates the "National Research University Fund". Authorizes a general academic teaching institution to receive a distribution of money from the fund for each year of a state fiscal biennium if the institution meets specified criteria. Provides that a general academic teaching institution that becomes eligible to receive a distribution of money remains eligible to receive a distribution in each subsequent state
fiscal year. Directs the coordinating board to report to the legislature in each even-numbered year certain information to be used to determine which institutions are initially eligible for distributions of money from the fund. Specifies that the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University are ineligible to receive National Research University Fund monies. Directs the amount to be allocated to eligible institutions in each fiscal year to be based on an equitable formula adopted by the legislature. Specifies that monies received from the fund may be used only to (1) Provide faculty support and pay faculty salaries; (2) Purchase equipment or library materials; (3) Pay graduate stipends; and (4) Support research performed at the institution, including undergraduate research.
Pages 17-28 of 36: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00051F.pdf
Higher Education Coordinating Board summary of H.B. 51: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?objectid=3AEE7B8C-C9A0-F730-737CF4D01A404487#Research University Development Fund (RUDF)
Title: H.B. 51 - Section 12 and 13
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Directs the higher education coordinating board to study and make recommendations on the appropriate definitions and categories of research expenditures to be applied in determining an institution's eligibility for and distributions from the Research University Development Fund (created in this bill, starting page 17 of 36). By December 2010, directs the coordinating board to to report its study and deliver its recommendations to the governor, lieutenant governor, and specified legislative leaders. Page 32-33 of 36: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00051F.pdf
Title: H.B. 51 - Section 19
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance--Efficiency/Performance-Based Funding |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to identify achievable cost-saving measures at public institutions of higher education. Directs the board to report the results of the study by January 31, 2011 to the governor and lieutenant governor, and specified legislative leaders. Requires that the report include an estimate of the amount of money that would be saved in a five-year period through the implementation of each recommendation.
Directs the board to conduct a study and recommend policies on the use and availability of electronic textbooks in higher education in this state and in other states. Provides the study and policy recommendations must focus on the results of the University of Texas - Austin pilot and must address methods for encouraging the use of electronic textbooks at public or private institutions of higher education in the state. Directs the board to make an initial report and recommendations by December 1, 2010. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB04149F.pdf
Title: H.B. 4149
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Provides that the term of a student representative on a higher education coordinating board advisory committee may not be less than two years. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01729F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1729
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Authorizes the governing board of a junior college district to exempt a district employee from all or a portion of student tuition and fees. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01568F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1568
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Authorizes the Texas Workforce Commission to establish by rule additional job incentive programs to create incentives for public community and technical colleges, in partnership with employers, to provide workforce training to create and retain employment opportunities in the state. Authorizes the commission, through a program created through this provision, to commit money to a prospective employer contingent on the employer's establishment of a place of business
in the state. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02169F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2169
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Community College,
Postsec. |
Exempts Lamar State College--Orange and Lamar State College--Port Arthur from the requirement that an applicant for admission to a general academic teaching institution complete the recommended or advanced high school curriculum. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02424F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2424
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Permits the University of Texas at Austin to make an exception to the statute requiring all general academic teaching institutions to admit all students in the top 10% of their graduating classes, beginning with admissions for the 2011-12 school year, when such admissions would exceed 75% of the university's first-time resident undergraduate students in an academic year. Establishes procedures university must follow if such admissions exceed 75% and university elects to follow exception process, including informing high schools notice of the percentage of the top 10% students to which the university anticipates offering admission. Provides University of Texas at Austin may not use exception after the 2015-16 academic year, and bars UT Austin, in any year that it uses exception, to bar a student's legacy status as a factor in decisions related to a student's admission. Requires a student admitted under an exception to complete a designated portion of at least six credit hours during evening hours or other low-demand hours as necessary to ensure the efficient use of the institution 's available classrooms. Requires UT Austin, in any year that it applies an exception to the statute requiring all general academic teaching institutions to admit all students in the top 10% of their graduating classes to report to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the house regarding the university's progress in:
(1) Increasing geographic diversity of the entering freshman class
(2) Counseling and outreach efforts aimed at students qualified for automatic admission
(3) Recruiting Texas residents who graduate from other institutions of higher education to the university's graduate and professional degree programs
(4) Recruiting students who are members of underrepresented demographic segments of the state's population
(5) Assessing and improving the university's regional recruitment centers.
Provides that any year in which UT Austin uses the exception, the institution may not offer admission to nonresident students such that nonresident students would make up more than 10% of the first-time freshman class. Prohibits UT Austin from using the exception in any academic year in which, on the deadline for general applications, (1) the university was under a court order barring the institution from considering an applicant's race in making an admissions decision or (2) the institution's governing board has determined that an applicant's race may not be considered as a factor in first-time undergraduate admissions decisions. Pages 1-5 and 6-7 of 21: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00175F.pdf
Title: S.B. 175 - Section 1, subsections (a)-(f), (j)-(k)
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires a general academic teaching institution to admit any applicant for admission as a transfer undergraduate student who (1) graduated from high school no more than four years earlier and who either was qualified for automatic admission by virtue of being in the top 10% of his/her high school class, or who was previously admitted to the institution to which he/she is seeking admission, (2) first enrolled in a public junior college or other public or private lower-division institution of higher education, (3) completed the core curriculum at the junior college or private lower-division institution of higher education with a minimum 2.5 grade point average, and (4) submitted an application for admission as a transfer student before the application deadline.
Specifies that it is the applicant's responsibility to clearly claim in the application entitlement to admission under these provisions, and timely provide to the general academic teaching institution the documentation required by the institution to determine the student's entitlement to admission under these provisions.
Pages 8-9 of 21: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00175F.pdf
Title: S.B. 175 - Section 2
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Directs the state education agency to assist the transition of foster care students from one school to another by specified means, including ensuring expedient transfer of student records; developing transition programs to assist a foster care student in his/her first two weeks in a new school; developing course transfer provisions; facilitating access to extracurricular programs, summer programs, credit transfer services, electronic courses and after-school tutoring programs at low to no cost; encouraging districts to provide services to foster care students in transition when applying for admission to postsecondary study and when seeking sources of funding for postsecondary study; and requiring districts and schools to accept a referral for special education services made for a foster care student by the student's previous school. Adds foster care students to the subgroups of students eligible for full-time enrollment in the state virtual school. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB02248F.pdf
Title: S.B. 2248
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Promising Practices |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends responsibilities of state education agency's best practices clearinghouse. Eliminates directive for clearinghouse to provide best practices regarding instruction, dropout prevention, public school finance, resource allocation and business practices. Directs the agency to determine the appropriate topic categories for which a campus, district or charter school may submit best practices. Provides that the clearinghouse should also provide best practices of charter schools. Provides that in addition to reporting on best practices of high-performing campuses and districts, clearinghouse must report on best practices of high-performing charter schools and on practices of "academically acceptable" districts and schools that have demonstrated significant improvement in student achievement. Pages 1-2 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 1
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Promotion/Retention |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Section 28: Provides that in determining student promotion, a district must consider the student's teacher's recommendation, the student 's grade in each course, the student's score on state assessments, and any other academic information deemed necessary by the district. Requires districts to publicize the requirements for student advancement (as established in Section 28.021) by the start of each school year. Directs the commissioner to provide guidelines to districts based on best practices that a district may use when considering factors for promotion.
Section 29: Eliminates provision that a student may not be promoted to 4th grade if the student demonstrates inadequate performance on the grade 3 reading assessment. Adds provision that each time a student in grades 3-8 fails to perform satisfactorily on a specified state assessment in reading, math, writing, social studies or science (defined in Section 39.023(a)), the district must provide the student accelerated instruction in the applicable subject area. Specifies accelerated instruction may require the student's participation before or after normal school hours and participation and outside the normal school year. Adds provision that a student who does not perform satisfactorily on an aforementioned state assessment and who is promoted to the next grade must complete such accelerated instruction before placement in the next grade level. Specifies a student who fails to complete required accelerated instruction may not be promoted. Directs the commissioner to provide districts with research-based best practices and effective strategies for developing an accelerated instruction program. Provides that a student who is promoted by a grade placement committee must be assigned in each subject in which the student failed to perform satisfactorily on any specified state assessment instrument to a teacher who meets all state and federal qualifications to teach that subject and grade.
Pages 26-28 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 28 and 29
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Reading/Literacy |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends action that triggers a teacher's participation in a teacher reading academy. Former provision required teacher to participate in reading academy if teacher provided instruction in reading, math, science or social studies to students in any grades 6-8 and campus was considered "academically unacceptable." New provision deletes "academically unacceptable" and requires participation in reading academy if campus failed to satisfy any standard under Section 39.054(d).
New 39.054(d) standards: Page 80 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Section 24: Page 24 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 24
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides that a student may not be expelled solely on the basis of the student's use, exhibition or possession of a firearm at an approved target range facility not on a school campus, or while participating in or preparing for a school-sponsored shooting sports competition or a Parks and Wildlife Department-sponsored shooting sports educational activity. Specifies that these provisions do not allow a student to bring a firearm onto school property to participate in or prepare for a school-sponsored shooting sports competition or other activity mentioned in the provision. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01020F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1020
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires school districts to notify employees that they are entitled to leave time if physically assaulted during the performance of their regular duties.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01470F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1470
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Bars criminal justice agencies from publicly disclosing criminal history information related to a child's conviction for a misdemeanor offense punishable by fine only. Provides an exception allowing such information to be disclosed to specified agencies and entities, including a school district, charter school, private school, regional education service center, commercial transportation company or education shared service arrangement. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01056F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1056
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
School Safety--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Relates to the disaster contingency fund and relief for school districts located in a disaster area. Provides that a government entity that receives disaster contingency funding and then receives reimbursement from the federal government, an insurer or another source for those same costs must reimburse the disaster contingency fund. Provides that the fund may pay for a disaster risk financing instrument or be used as local matching funds for FEMA qualifying projects. Provides for local school district funding; provides for property value adjustment after a disaster to ensure school funding. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB04102F.pdf
Title: H.B. 4102
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Modifies content of improvement plans regional education service centers must annually develop to describe services to be provided schools in need. Former legislation required services to be geared to campuses identified as academically unacceptable. New legislation requires services to be targeted at campuses assigned an unacceptable performance rating under new Section 39.054.
New Section 39.054: Pages 77-82 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Section 4: Pages 5-6 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 4
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Authorizes an institution of higher education to make available underused classrooms for use by a public junior college for teaching core courses or continuing education courses. Permits institution of higher education to charge another institution for the use of a classroom. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00746F.pdf
Title: H.B. 746
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Defines "relocatable educational facility." Provides that a relocatable educational facility purchased or leased on or after January 1, 2010 must comply with all Occupations Code provisions applicable to industrialized buildings. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02763F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2763
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Authorizes a school district and an institution of higher education located wholly or partially in the county in which the district is located to contract for the district to pay a portion of the costs of designing or building an instructional facility or stadium or other athletic facilities owned by or under the control of the institution of higher education. Provides for such a partnership only if both parties enter into a written agreement authorizing the district to use the facility.
Authorizes one or more districts to enter into an agreement with an institution of higher education for the district(s) to pay a portion of the costs of the design, improvement or construction of an instructional facility owned by or under the control of the institution of higher education. Provides for such a partnership only if both parties enter into a written agreement authorizing the district to use that facility, including authorizing the enrollment of district students in courses offered
at that facility. Pages 72-73 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Section 74
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Food Service |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Establishes an interagency farm-to-school coordination task force to promote a healthy diet for schoolchildren and the business of small to mid-sized local farms and ranches. Directs the task force to develop and implement a plan to facilitate the availability of locally grown food products in public schools. Directs the task force to design new education resources, or review or update existing resources, on nutrition and food education that may be used by schools and districts; expand food-focused experiential education programs; help identify funding sources for schools and districts to recover the costs associated with purchasing locally grown food products; and offer advanced skills development training to school food service employees regarding the proper methods of handling, preparing and serving locally grown foods, among other duties. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01027F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1027
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Food Service |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the department of agriculture to develop an outreach program to promote better health and nutrition programs and prevent obesity among children in the state. Directs the department of agriculture to develop a program to award grants to public school campuses for best practices in nutrition education. Also directs the department of agriculture to develop a program to award grants to participants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Head Start program, or other early childhood education programs to operate nutrition education programs for children between the ages of 3 and 5.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00282F.pdf
Title: S.B. 282
Source: |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Relates to the transportation of children in passenger vans; creates an offense if a person allows a child younger than 17 years of age who is not required to be secured in a child passenger safety seat system to ride in a passenger van designed to transport 15 or fewer passengers, including the driver, without securing the child individually by a safety belt, if the child is occupying a seat that is equipped with a safety belt; includes school vehicles. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00537F.pdf
Title: H.B. 537
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a person providing disability services to contract with a state school or state center to provide services and resources for individuals with developmental disabilities. Establishes circumstances under which a state school or state center may provide nonresidential services. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00748F.pdf
Title: H.B. 748
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Adds section 29.018. Directs the commissioner, using federal, appropriated state funds, or any other funds available, to make grants available to districts to help cover the cost of serving students with disabilities. Provides eligible districts are those with insufficient state and federal funds to cover the cost of serving an individual student or all students with disabilities. Requires districts receiving grants to report to the commissioner the amount of state/federal funds received to serve students with disabilities and the amount expended for such purpose. Allows district grant funds to go toward training personnel to provide special education services to a student with disabilities. Specifies that a recipient district must educate students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment that is appropriate to meet the student's educational needs. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Section 16
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Special Populations--Corrections Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Section 56: Creates new sections 42.159 and 42.160. Section 42.159 provides that for each student who completes a semester-long electronic course that meets a high school graduation requirement and is provided through the state virtual school network as part of a normal course load, the school district or open-enrollment charter school that provided the course is entitled to a $400 allotment, and the district or charter school in which the student is enrolled is entitled to an $80 allotment as reimbursement for associated administrative costs. Specifies that allotment for a completed state virtual school network course that exceeds a normal course load (including a course offered during the summer) must be in an amount determined by the commissioner. Authorizes the commissioner to set aside up to 50% of allotments for normal course load and exceeding course load electronic courses to pay the costs of providing state virtual school network courses allowing students to recover credits for courses in which they were previously unsuccessful. Also authorizes a portion of the set-aside to pay the costs of credit recovery courses for students in alternative education settings, including disciplinary and juvenile justice alternative education programs, and students under the supervision of a juvenile probation department, the Texas Youth Commission, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Bars partial funding from being awarded for any student who begins but does not complete an electronic course. Requires the commissioner to adopt rules regarding specified provisions, including the allotment of district funds for a student who transfers schools or districts after beginning an electronic course.
Section 42.160 provides districts and open-enrollment charter schools an allotment of $275 for each student in average daily attendance in grades 9-12. Provides clarification on allotments for a district required to reduce its wealth per student to the equalized wealth level. Directs the commissioner to adopt rules, including rules related to the permissible use of such funds allocated to an open-enrollment charter school.
NOTE: This bill also repeals Section 29.909, "Electronic Courses."
Page 42-45 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Sections 56 and 57
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Special Populations--Corrections Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the investigate the feasibility of creating one or more series of courses to be provided through the state virtual school network that focus on the educational needs of students in alternative education settings, including students in disciplinary alternative education programs, in juvenile justice alternative education programs, and students under the supervision of a juvenile probation department, the Texas Youth Commission or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Provides the series of courses to be investigated must include a series that would constitute a full-time educational program, a series that would offer only
supplemental courses, and a credit recovery series. Requires the agency to submit its findings to the legislature by January 2011. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Section 94
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Special Populations--Corrections Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
New provision defines alleged offender resident as a person with mental retardation who is charged with or convicted of a criminal offense, or a child found to have engaged in delinquent conduct constituting a criminal offense. Establishes the Mexia State Supported Living Center as the forensic state supported living center. Adds Subchapter L, "School District Program for Residents of Forensic State Supported Living Center" to Chapter 29 of the Education Code. Requires a school district to provide educational services to each alleged offender resident of the forensic state supported living center who is under the age of 22 as of September 1 and otherwise eligible to attend school in the district. Establishes procedures for the determination of an alleged offender resident's educational placement and the educational services the district must provide the resident. Provides the discipline of an alleged offender resident by a school district is subject to Sections 37.0021 and 37.004 and to federal law governing the discipline of students with disabilities. Requires a district enrolling alleged offender residents to employ one or more behavior support specialists. Establishes criteria behavior support specialists must meet. Requires a behavior support specialist to conduct a functional behavior assessment for each alleged offender resident enrolled in the district. Establishes additional responsibilities of behavior support specialists. Requires a school district in which alleged offender residents are enrolled and the forensic state supported living center to enter into a memorandum of understanding on the services to be provided to students. Establishes arbitration procedures in the event a district and the forensic state supported living center are unable to agree on the services required for residents or responsibility for those services. Provides an additional allotment for each for each alleged offender resident in average daily attendance in the district. Requires a district receiving such an allotment to annually report to the state accounting for the expenditure of funds received. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00643F.pdf
Title: S.B. 643
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Special Populations--Foster Care |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the state education agency and the department of family and protective services to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding the exchange of information to facilitate the department's evaluation of educational outcomes of students in foster care. Provides the MOU must annually require the department to provide the agency with demographic information on students who were in the conservatorship of the department the previous school year. Provides the MOU must also require the state education agency, in a manner consistent with federal law, to provide the department with aggregate information on educational outcomes of students for whom the agency received demographic information. Provides that information on "educational outcomes" includes information on student academic achievement, graduation rates, school attendance, disciplinary actions and receipt of special education services. Authorizes education research centers to receive demographic information on individual students to allow for additional analysis on educational outcomes of students in foster care. Clarifies that nothing in these provisions authorizes a release of information not permitted by FERPA, nor requires the agency or department to collect or maintain additional information on students in foster care. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00939F.pdf
Title: S.B. 939
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Special Populations--Gifted and Talented |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates Section 39.236, "Gifted and Talented Standards." Directs the commissioner to adopt standards to evaluate district gifted and talented programs to determine whether programs are in accordance with the Texas Performance Standards Project or another commissioner-approved program meets the requirements of the state plan for the education of gifted and talented students.
Repeals 39.116, "Initiative for Retaining Quality Educators."
Page 134 of 180: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00003F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3 - Section 59 - Part VII (Gifted and Talented and Retaining Quality Educators)
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Defines "children with special needs" as children younger than 22 diagnosed with a chronic illness, intellectual or other developmental disability, or serious mental illness. Creates the Interagency Task Force for Children with Special Needs to improve the coordination, quality and efficiency of services for children and youth with special needs. Directs the task force, among other duties, to:
(1) Develop a coordinated strategic plan for improving service delivery for such children
(2) Coordinate with federal agencies to compile a list of opportunities to increase flexible funding for services for special needs children, including alternative funding sources and service delivery options
(3) Perform a needs assessment, including public hearings to identify service delivery gaps, system entry points and service obstacles.
Specifies actions the task force must take in the development of the strategic plan. Requires task force's strategic plan to provide recommendations to achieve specified goals, including improving families' ability to navigate the system through improved coordination between service providers and increased outreach. Directs the task force to submit a biennial report to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the house, documenting each participating agency's progress in accomplishing the goals set forth in the legislation. Specifies additional content the report must include. Establishes September 2015 sunset provision. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01824F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1824
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
STEM |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Transfers 21.462, "Mathematics, Science and Technology Teacher Preparation Academies," to 61.0766. Allows a teacher with at least two years experience to participate in an academy program (prior legislation required eligible teachers to have at least five years experience). http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB02262F.pdf
Title: S.B. 2262
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
Postsec. |
Requires public institutions of higher education to ensure that one or more employees is trained in understanding state and federal student financial assistance programs for military veterans and their families, and in assisting veterans and family members in obtaining aid through these programs. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03951F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3951
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Rewrites 33.002 regarding certified school counselors. Directs the commissioner to distribute funds for school counselor and counseling programs to districts that apply for such funds. Requires the commissioner to give preference to districts that received program funds the preceding year and then to districts with the highest concentration of students at risk of dropping out of school, as defined in Section 29.081. Requires recipient districts to allocate local funds for guidance and counseling at least equal to the amount allocated for that purpose the previous year.
Page 28 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Section 39
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Directs the higher education coordinating board to develop a plan under which each public high school that is, as determined by the board, substantially below the state average in the number of
graduates who attend public or private or independent institutions of higher education is required to (1) provide to prospective students information related to enrollment in public or private or independent
institutions of higher education, including admissions and financial aid information; and (2) assist those prospective students in completing applications related to enrollment in those institutions, including admissions and financial aid applications. Pages 18-19 of 21: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00175F.pdf
Title: S.B. 175 - Section 6
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires districts to notify every high school student, at the time the student first registers for one or more classes required for high school graduation, about the provisions of Section 51.803, which provides for automatic admission to a general academic teaching institution for a student who graduates in the top 10% of his/her high school class. Existing policy requires such notification for high school seniors; new provision additionally requires such notification for juniors with a grade point average in the top 10% of his/her high school class and such juniors' parents. Specifies that such notifications must be in plain language. Directs the commissioner of higher education to adopt forms to be used for such notifications. Requires the commissioner to adopt procedures to ensure that districts provide notification to students first enrolling for courses required for high school graduation in the 2009-10 school year.
Also requires a certified high school counselor to explain, at the beginning of the school year, the requirements of automatic admission to a general academic teaching institution to each 10th and 11th grade student whose grade point average is in the top 25% of the student's class.
Pages 9-12 of 21: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00175F.pdf
Title: S.B. 175 - Section 3 and 4
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to institute a program to improve the outreach efforts of general academic teaching institutions in providing counseling and information to Texas high school seniors likely to be eligible for automatic admission for seniors in the top 10% of their graduating class. Requires the coordinating board, under the program, to prescribe best practices guidelines and standards to be used by general academic teaching institutions in conducting the aforementioned student outreach.
Directs the coordinating board to publish an annual report on the impact of the University of Texas at Austin's use of the exception to the policy to automatically admit applicants in the top 10% of their graduating class, on the state's goal of closing college access and achievement gaps under "Closing the Gaps," the state's master plan for higher education. Requires the reporting of specified information on UT Austin student demographics and high schools of origin. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00175F.pdf
Title: S.B. 175 - Section 1, subsections (g), ((l)
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Adds new Subchapter D, "Preliminary Evaluation of License Eligibility" to Chapter 53, Occupations Code. Authorizes an individual to request a licensing authority to issue a letter evaluating the individual's eligibility for a license, if the individual plans to seek licensure and has reason to believe he/she is ineligible for the license due to a felony or misdemeanor conviction or deferred adjudication. Provides that if a licensing authority determines the individual is ineligible for a license, the authority must issue a letter setting out each basis for potential ineligibility and the authority's determination as to eligibility. Authorizes a licensing authority to suspend or revoke a license, or bar an individual from taking a licensing exam if the individual has been convicted of an offense that does not directly relate to the duties and responsibilities of the licensed occupation and that was committed less than five years before the date the person applies for the license, or a sexually violent offense. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00963F.pdf
Title: H.B. 963
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Relates to certification of an educator in Texas who is certified in another state or country. Requires an educator certified in another state or country to pass the state teacher certification exam within a year of approval of the educator's credentials by the state board for educator certification. Requires the commissioner to provide guidance to districts employing an educator certified outside Texas on procedures to classify the educator as a highly qualified teacher. Requires state board to approve or deny within 30 days of receipt all applications from educators certified in another state to teach high-need subjects, including math, science, bilingual education and special education. Requires applications from educators in high-need subjects certified in other states to include specified content. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB04152F.pdf
Title: H.B. 4152
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Specifies that provisions barring a licensing agency from considering a person under certain circumstances to have been convicted of an offense do not apply to applicants for licenses authorizing the individual to provide educational services.
Permits a licensing authority to consider a person to have been convicted of an offense for purposes of denial, suspension or revocation of a license (or denial of the opportunity to take a licensing exam), regardless of whether the proceedings were dismissed and the person was discharged, if after consideration of certain factors, the licensing authority determines that the person may pose a continued threat to public safety or employment of the person in the licensed occupation would create a situation in which the person has an opportunity to repeat the prohibited conduct. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02808F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2808
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative |
Adopted 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Emphasizes that consent is required when a certified teacher is to be placed on an emergency permit.
Title: 19 TAC 7.230.Q.230.501
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Natl. Bd. for Prof. Teach. Stds. |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Adds national board-certified teachers as a group of educators eligible to be awarded stipends for improved student achievement through the educator excellence awards program. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00709F.pdf
Title: H.B. 709
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires a district to provide an educator working primarily outside the area of special education with research-based training on serving students with disabilities only if the educator does not possess the knowledge and skills necessary to implement his/her student's individualized education program. In developing this training, requires a district to consult with persons with expertise in research-based practices for students with disabilities, including colleges and universities, and other stated entities. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00451F.pdf
Title: S.B. 451
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Upon request by a teacher, librarian, nurse or counselor or by the district employing one of those individuals, requires a district that previously employed the individual to provide a copy of the individual's service record to the district employing the individual. Provides that if a district fails to provide an individual's service record, the agency must, to the extent that information is available, provide the employing district with information sufficient to determine the individual's placement on the district's salary schedule. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01365F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1365
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Sections 6 and 9: Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, requires each school district and each charter holder that operated an open-enrollment charter school as of January 1, 2009, to increase the monthly salary of each classroom teacher and specified non-instructional staff by a specified amount.
Section 7: Specifies that districts are entitled to state aid in the amount necessary to fund salary increases required by Section 19.009(d-2).
Section 8: Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, requires the Windham School District (district established by the state board of corrections) to increase the monthly salary of each classroom teacher and specified non-instructional staff by a specified amount.
Pages 4-8 of 108: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3646 - Sections 6-9
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Induction Programs and Mentoring |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Specifies that teachers eligible for mentors are those with less than two years' teaching experience in the subject or grade level to which the teacher is assigned. Allows teachers from outside the new teacher's school to be assigned as a mentor. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01290F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1290
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends procedures for educational aides to receive an exemption from tuition and fees charged by public institutions of higher education. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01798F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1798
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Professional Development |
Adopted 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Repeals rules concerning Centers for Professional Development of Teachers because these centers no longer exist.
Title: 19 TAC 7.230.E.230.121
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Technology |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Changes the "Technology Immersion Pilot Project" to the "Technology Demonstration Sites Project." Changes the purposes of the project to:
(1) Demonstrating the use of technology for improving teaching and learning
(2) Using digital tools and resources to extend learning opportunities from school to home
(3) Exemplifying instructional practices and lessons that support academic learning in the classroom and at home.
Specifies that the project may use existing home electronic devices or provide electronic device checkout options to allow students, at school and at home, to use software, online courses and other appropriate technologies. Requires the agency to review the progress made through each demonstration site. Includes hiring of pedagogical support staff as an allowable expenditure for participating districts and schools. Eliminates some criteria the agency must use in selecting project participants. Requires agency to select at least five districts (instead of five schools) to participate in the project, although not every school in every district must necessarily participate.
Adds new subchapter, "Computer Lending Pilot Program" (identical to that created by enacted 2009 H.B. 4294 http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB04294F.pdf and enacted 2009 S.B. 2178 http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB02178F.pdf) to make computers available to students and parents. Specifies that a school is eligible to participate if at least 50% of students are educationally disadvantaged, and the school agrees to operate a lending program with certain components, including that students/parents may work toward owning a computer borrowed through the program, and the program provide computer training for students and parents. Requires the commissioner of education to annually report to the legislature on the computer lending pilot program. Adds provision to government code that under specified circumstances, a state agency or charitable institution or institution of higher education must make surplus or salvage data processing equipment available for the computer lending pilot program, for the commissioner of education to accept or decline. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02893F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2893
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Specifies that all electronic textbooks and technological equipment must be returned at the end of the school year in the same manner as traditional textbooks. Also specifies that all textbooks, electronic textbooks and technological equipment in acceptable condition. Directs the commissioner of education to adopt criteria for determining whether a textbook,including electronic textbook and technological equipment, is returned in acceptable condition. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01332F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1332
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Defines open-source textbooks as textbooks downloadable from the Internet at no cost to the student. Requires districts and charter schools to annually certify that, for each subject in the required curriculum and all grade levels, the district provides every student with textbooks, electronic textbooks or instructional materials that cover all elements of the state board-adopted essential knowledge and skills for that subject and grade level. Establishes provisions allowing institutions of higher education to place open-source textbooks on the secondary-level textbook adoption list. Provides that one criterion for adoption is that, for a textbook for a senior-level course, a student who successfully completes a course based on the textbook will be prepared, without remediation, for entry into the eligible institution's freshman-level course in that subject, and that, for a textbook for a junior-level and senior-level course, a student who successfully completes the junior-level course based on the textbook will be prepared for entry into the senior-level course.
Adds new section 31.0261 allowing the state board to execute a contract for the printing of an open-source textbook listed on the state textbook adoption list. Establishes provisions for the purchase of open-source textbooks by the commissioner of education. Requires that a state-developed open-source textbook be irrevocably owned by or licensed to the state. Authorizes the commissioner of education to issue a request for proposals for a state-developed open-source textbook. Establishes prerequisites for the approval of an open-source textbook, and establishes provisions for the revision of open-source textbooks. Requires the commissioner to provide for special and bilingual state-developed open-source textbooks in the same manner as non-open-source textbooks for these populations. Provides for costs and distribution of open-source textbooks. Directs the commissioner to develop a schedule for the adoption of state-developed open-source textbooks. Requires a district or charter school that selects an open-source textbook to requisition a sufficient number of printed copies for use by students unable to access the textbook electronically, unless the district prints copies or provides electronic access to the textbook at no cost to the student. Permits printed copies of open-source textbooks that a district does not intend to use for another student to become the property of the student. Requires textbook publishers to deliver open-source textbooks at no charge to districts or the state. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02488F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2488
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Drivers Education |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a driver education school to teach all or part of the classroom portion of an approved driver education course by an alternative method of instruction that does not require students to be present in a classroom if the commissioner of education approves the alternative method. Requires that the alternative method include testing and security measures equivalent to those in the usual classroom setting and satisfies any other applicable requirements. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00858F.pdf
Title: S.B. 858
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
Postsec. |
Requires the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the coordination and administration of the Texas Career Opportunity Grant Program, which reduces the financial barriers to postsecondary career education and training for economically disadvantaged Texans. Authorizes functions assigned to the commission in grant program statute to be assigned to the coordinating board pursuant to the memorandum of understanding. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03519F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3519
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides for Internet broadcasts of open meetings held by the state board of education. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB00772F.pdf
Title: H.B. 772
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the department of state health Services and the state education agency and all other state agencies that provide information, services or support to adolescents or their parents to seek out opportunities to educate them as to the importance of receiving regular physical exams and updated immunizations and the positive impact that these measures will have on adolescents' long-term health and well-being. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HC00088F.pdf
Title: H.C.R. 88
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
P-3 |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Relates to information required to be provided to parents of an infant. Provides that if a woman is a recipient of medical assistance, she must be given a resource guide relating to the development, health and safety of her child. Requires the guide to provide information about specified topics, including dental care, parenting, child safety, the importance of reading to a child, developmental milestones, health care resources available in the state, selecting child care and other resources available in the state. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB01240F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1240
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Adopted 05/2009 |
Postsec. |
Establishes rule concerning the definition of student's financial need. Defines need as the difference between the student's cost of attendance as determined by the institution and the student's expected family contribution as calculated using the U.S. Department of Education's methodology.
Title: 19 TAC 1.21.A.21.8
Source: www.lexis.com |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
Postsec. |
Amends eligibility requirements for the Tuition Equalization Grant Program, which allows financially needy students to attend private, non-profit postsecondary institutions in the state. Allows eligible students to be enrolled in at least three-fourths of a full course load. Requires eligible students to be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate as determined by the student's institution. Directs the coordinating board to adopt rules to allow a student not making satisfactory academic progress, in the event of hardship, to receive a tuition equalization grant. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB04476F.pdf
Title: H.B. 4476
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Bars district policies from the order in which an employee may use certain types of personal and sick leave. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00522F.pdf
Title: S.B. 522
Source: www.legis.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires districts to allow an employee reporting a grievance to make an audio recording of any meeting in which the grievance is investigated or discussed. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB02512F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2512
Source: |
Special Education |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Establishes an autism spectrum disorders resource center to coordinate resources for individuals with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders and their families. Provides that the center must distribute information and research regarding autism, conduct training and development activities for persons who may interact with an individual with autism including school, medical or law enforcement personnel,coordinate with local entities and provide support for families.
Title: H.B. 1574
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Adopted 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules concerning additional state aid for ad valorem tax credits under the Texas Economic Development Act. Allows the commissioner of education to implement and administer the provisions of the Texas Education Code (TEC), which authorizes an eligible school district to receive state aid equal to the amount of all qualified economic development tax credits credited against the district's ad valorem taxes in a school year.
Title: 19 TAC 2.61.AA.61.1019
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
P-3 Preschool |
Adopted 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Establishes new procedural and reporting requirements for prekindergarten grants to school districts, open- enrollment charter schools, and education service centers operating as fiscal agents of shared services arrangements. http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter102/ch102aa.html
Title: 19 TAC 2.102.AA.102.1002
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Adopted 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Establishes definitions and an equitable funding formula for local Communities In Schools (CIS) Programs for youth dropout prevention.
Title: 19 TAC 2.89.EE.89.1501 -1503, .1505, .1507, .1509, .1511
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
No Child Left Behind--Assessment |
Adopted 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Sets the standard of satisfactory performance on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), as appropriate for the reading and mathematics assessments in Grades 3-8 based on the implementation of a vertical scale. http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/board/adopted/0109/101-23-two.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 2.101.B.101.23
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Adopted 02/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends rules concerning the higher education program for veterans and their dependent. Deletes provision defining a child as a dependent if he or she was claimed as a dependent for tax purposes the year of the veteran's death or disabling injury. Deletes definition of federal survivor benefits.
Title: 19 TAC 1.21.NN.21.2100, .2101, .2103, .2106 -.2108
Source: www.lexis.com |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Adopted 02/2009 |
Postsec. |
Establishes new rules concerning provisions for Scholarships for Students Graduating in the Top 10 Percent of Their High School Class.
Title: 19 TAC 1.22.K.22.196 -.202
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional |
Adopted 02/2009 |
Postsec. |
Requires public institutions with doctoral programs to publish information on their Web sites regarding the "18 Characteristics of Doctoral Education" as approved by the higher education coordinating board. Requires each such institution to develop and implement a plan for using the 18 Characteristics for ongoing evaluation and quality improvement of each doctoral program.
Title: 19 TAC 1.5.C.5.51
Source: www.lexis.com |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Adopted 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Sets forth the vehicle equipment specifications for school buses, school activity buses and multifunction school activity buses. http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=37&pt=1&ch=14&sch=D&rl=Y
Title: 37 TAC 1.14.D.14.51 -.54
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Adopted 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Establishes definitions relating to school bus safety standards.
Title: 37 TAC 1.14.A.14.1
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Adopted 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Adopts rules concerning school bus driver eligibility and application procedures. http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=37&pt=1&ch=14&sch=B&rl=Y
Title: 37 TAC 1.14.B.14.11 -.14
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Adopted 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Sets forth the requirements of the driver safety training program for drivers of school buses, school activity buses and multifunction school activity buses. http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=37&pt=1&ch=14&sch=C&rl=Y
Title: 37 TAC 1.14.C.14.31 -.36
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Adopted 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Sets forth the advertising display requirements for school buses (repeals and replaces earlier language). Establishes a traffic crash reporting requirement for school buses that are displaying exterior advertising. http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=37&pt=1&ch=14&sch=E&rl=Y
Title: 37 TAC 1.14.E.14.61 -.65
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Adopted 08/2008 |
P-12 |
The adopted new rule establishes procedures for a grant program for dropout recovery that meets the requirements of the Strategic Plan of the High School Completion and Success Initiative Council authorized in the Texas Education Code, §39.361(c).
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/adopted/0808/102-1056-two.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 2.102.EE.102.1056
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us |
Student Supports--Remediation |
Adopted 06/2008 |
P-12 |
The Intensive Summer Program purpose is to create pilot programs in which institutions of higher education provide intensive academic instruction for students who are identified as being at risk of dropping out of school or college. The areas for intensive instruction are English/language arts, mathematics and science. The Intensive Summer Programs pilot will identify best practices and strategies that work to help prepare students for college and workforce readiness. http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Rules/tac3.cfm?Chapter_ID=4&Subchapter=L
Title: 19 TAC 1.4.L.4.210 -.214
Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary |
Adopted 01/2008 |
Postsec. |
Establishes new rules concerning Private and Out-of- State Public Postsecondary Educational Institutions Operating in Texas. Allows the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to recognize accrediting agencies with a commitment to academic quality and student achievement that demonstrate, through an application process, compliance with the following criteria:
(A) Is recognized by the Secretary of Education of the United States Department of Education as an institutional accrediting agency authorized to accredit educational institutions that offer the associate degree or higher; (B) Is applying for the same scope of recognition as that for which it is recognized by the Secretary of Education of the United States Department of Education; (C) Accredits higher education institutions that have legal authority to confer higher education degrees; (D) Requires an onsite review by a visiting team as part of initial and continuing accreditation of educational institutions; (E) Has policies or procedures that ensure the entity will promptly respond to requests for information from the Board; and (F) Has sufficient resources to carry out its functions. Also addresses continuing recognition requirements.
http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/GeneralPubs/Agenda/Ag2008_01/VIIIM/VIIIMA1.pdf
Title: Chapter 7, Subchapter A, Sections 7.1 - 7.24
Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Adopted 12/2007 |
P-12 |
Adopts new 19 TAC Chapter 97, Planning and Accountability, Subchapter EE, Accreditation Status, Standards, and Sanctions. The new subchapter defines the accreditation statuses of Accredited, Accredited-Warned, Accredited-Probation, and Not Accredited-Revoked and states how accreditation statuses will be determined and assigned to school districts. The adopted rules also establish accreditation standards and sanctions, including definitions, purpose, technical assistance teams, campus intervention teams, reconstitution, campus closure, alternative management, intervention stages, and oversight appointments. The adoption reflects changes required by House Bill (HB) 1, 79th Texas Legislature, Third Called Session, 2006, which amended the TEC, Chapter 39, Public School System Accountability. As a result of these changes, these new rules were adopted to implement the changes. New 19 TAC §97.1053, Purpose, states the statutory purposes of accreditation statuses and sanctions. The adoption also explains that the accreditation status assigned to a district under this new subchapter reflects performance beginning with the district's 2006 ratings; however, performance for earlier years would be considered for the purposes of accreditation sanctions. New 19 TAC §97.1063, Campus Intervention Team; Reconstitution, implements the provisions of HB 1 related to campuses rated Academically Unacceptable under the state academic accountability rating system and the assignment of a CIT to those campuses. Additionally, the section outlines the obligation of certain principals to participate in the school leadership pilot program required under the TEC, §11.203, and the district's responsibility for covering costs associated with the program. The section also defines the timeline under which a campus can and/or will be ordered to undergo reconstitution. In addition, the adopted new rule describes the activities in which the district, campus, and the CIT must engage to facilitate the reconstitution, including timelines and activities related to the retention or removal of campus educators, including the principal. The adopted new rule also discusses circumstances under which the TEA may assign a monitor, conservator, management team, or board of managers to the campus to ensure the implementation of its school improvement/reconstitution plan and when the TEA may order alternative management or closure of the campus. codifies intervention and sanction processes in place under the Performance-Based Monitoring (PBM) system. The adopted rule describes intervention activities, notification processes for PBM intervention staging, and possible interventions and/or sanctions that may be implemented under the PBM system. Includes other details of related provisions.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/adopted/1207/97ee-ltradopt.html
Title: 19 TAC Chapter 97
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us |
Bilingual/ESL |
Adopted 12/2007 |
P-12 |
Outlines the instruction school districts must provide to English language learners in order for them to have the full opportunity to learn English and to succeed academically. TEXAS 12499
Title: 19 TAC 2.74.A.74.4
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
P-16 or P-20 |
Adopted 12/2007 |
P-12 |
This item adopts new 19 TAC Chapter 95, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Education Research Centers, §95.1001, Operation of Education Research Centers. The adopted new section implements the Texas Education Code (TEC), §1.005, Education Research Centers; Sharing Student Information, added by House Bill (HB) 1, 79th Texas Legislature, Third Called Session, 2006, that requires the commissioner of education and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for the use of student data at an education research center. The adopted new 19 TAC §95.1001, Operation of Education Research Centers, provides procedures for implementing education research centers to conduct research for the benefit of education in the state, including research relating to the impact of state and federal education programs, the performance of educator preparation programs, public school finance, and the best practices of school districts with regard to classroom instruction, bilingual education programs, special language programs, and business practices.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/adopted/1207/95-1001-ltradopt.htm
Title: 19 TAC Chapter 95
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Adopted 11/2007 |
P-12 |
HB 2237, 80th Texas Legislature, 2007, added the TEC, §29.918, requiring districts with a high dropout rate to develop a dropout prevention strategy plan. This plan must detail the manner in which a district will use its resources, specifically the compensatory education allotment and the high school allotment, to contribute to the district's dropout prevention strategy. The compensatory education allotment, established through the TEC, §42.152, provides an annual allotment to districts based on the number of economically disadvantaged students enrolled at campuses in the district. The compensatory education allotment is intended to increase the academic achievement and high school completion rates for at-risk students. Similarly, the high school allotment, as detailed in the TEC, §42.2516(b)(3), provides funding to districts to improve graduation and college readiness rates for Texas secondary school students.
In addition to a dropout prevention strategy plan, the Legislature, in previous legislation, mandated that certain districts develop two other plans--a school improvement plan and a plan to increase college enrollment--both of which may address issues related to a district's dropout rate. Under the TEC, §39.1323, a campus with a specific state accountability rating is required to work with a campus intervention team and to design a school improvement plan addressing factors contributing to the campus' rating as academically unacceptable. In addition, under the TEC, §29.904, a campus with a low college-going rate is required to enter into an agreement with a nearby institution of higher education to develop a plan to increase the percentage of its graduating seniors enrolling in an institution of higher education. The newly mandated requirement for a dropout prevention strategy plan offers an opportunity to coordinate these three plans, where appropriate.
The adopted new 19 TAC §89.1701, Dropout Prevention Strategy Plan, implements the TEC, §29.918, relative to the dropout prevention strategies. The adopted new rule establishes applicable definitions and specifies that affected districts will be identified and notified annually of the requirement to submit a dropout prevention strategy plan. The adopted rule also addresses the coordination of a dropout prevention strategy plan with a plan to increase college enrollment and with a school improvement plan. Submission of a plan by a school district and review of a plan by the Texas Education Agency are also addressed as well as conditions under which the commissioner of education could impose sanctions. In response to public comment, subsection (b) is modified at adoption to incorporate into rule the method used to identify districts that must comply with the new requirements.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/adopted/1107/89-1701-ltradopt.html
Title: 19 TAC §89.1701
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us |
Finance--Bonds |
Unofficially approved by Voters. 11/2007 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
(PROPOSITION 2; SJR 57 2007)Proposes a constitutional amendment to provide for the issuance of a specified amount of general obligation bonds to finance educational loans to students and for authority to enter into bond enhancement agreements with respect to general obligation bonds issued for that purpose.
Title: V. 2
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance |
Adopted 11/2007 |
Community College |
Requires selected community colleges to follow the preliminary authority requirements before proposing new baccalaureate degree programs. TEXAS 12151
Title: 19 TAC 1.5.B.5.21 -.23
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Bilingual/ESL |
Adopted 09/2007 |
P-12 |
Revise the process of applying for a bilingual exception and/or an English as a second language (ESL) waiver. Other adopted amendments add language regarding the transfer of students out of a special language program in accordance with House Bill 1, 79th Texas Legislature, Third Called Session, 2006; provide clarification on serving students who receive both special language and special education services; and address submission of information for summer school programs. Language was also repealed to remove monitoring requirements no longer authorized in statute. The amendment to 19 TAC §89.1225, Testing and Classification of Students, was adopted with changes.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/adopted/0807/89-1205-ltradopt.html
Title: 19 TAC Chapter 89
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Adopted 08/2007 |
P-12 |
Amends rules regarding generalist certificates to provide legal authority to school districts with approved waivers to extend the assignments of Generalist: Early Childhood-Grade 4 certificate holders to teach in self-contained classrooms for Grades 5 and 6 if assigned prior to the 2007-2008 school year at the discretion of the employing school district. TEXAS 12048
Title: 19 TAC 7.233.233.2
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Accountability--Rewards |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
House Bill 2399 amends the Education Code to allow a school campus to use the 25 percent of its student achievement program award that is not allocated for classroom teacher incentive payments on a teacher retention demonstration project that uses innovative, research-based practices to identify and retain highly effective teachers, and it specifies certain types of demonstration programs that may be eligible for such funding.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02399F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2399
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
House Bill 2455 amends the Education Code to require a school district to grant an excused absence for a student ordered to make a court appearance.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02455F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2455
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Bilingual/ESL |
Adopted 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Defines and establishes procedures, quality assurance for dual immersion programs.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tacupdates/july2007/ch089ff.pdf
Title: 89.1613
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
House Bill 1748 amends the Education Code to transfer all powers and duties relating to the Texas governor's schools program from the Texas Education Agency and the commissioner of education to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The bill also expands the scope of the program to allow the inclusion of a fine arts curriculum, as well as the mathematics and science and humanities curricula, and it requires that the criteria for admission include grade point averages, academic standing, and extracurricular activities.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01748F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1748
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
From fiscal note: The bill would allow the state and political subdivisions of the state to follow state statutory modified accrual standards of accounting as described in the bill, if other accounting bases conflict with state law. The state or its political subdivisions could account for other post-employment benefits (OPEBs) on this statutory basis if generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) require accounting on any basis other than pay-as-you-go. The bill would have the practical impact of exempting those who choose the alternate accounting from requirements in Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statement 45, and potentially some in GASB statement 43. GASB 45 requires governmental entities to account for OPEBs, in particular retiree health benefits, in a manner similar to methods used for pension benefits.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02365F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2365
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/ |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
House Bill 3699 amends the Natural Resources Code and the Education Code to broaden the School Land Board's (SLB) authority to manage and control land, mineral and royalty interests, real estate investments, and other interests that are dedicated to the permanent school fund. The bill authorizes the SLB to designate funds received from the lands, interests, investments, and mineral estate for deposit in the real estate special fund account (RESF), rather than a special fund account as provided in previous law. The bill expands the permissible uses of the RESF account and authorizes the SLB to confer with employees or third parties regarding investments and potential investments in real estate. The bill provides the SLB with the option to appoint investment consultants or advisors to assist the board in investing, rather than appointing investment managers to invest, money in the special fund, and deletes certain qualification requirements for managers. The bill also authorizes the SLB and the State Board of Education to make certain transfers to and from the RESF account.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03699F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3699
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
Postsec. |
House Bill 3291 amends the Education Code to prohibit the board of regents of a public college or university from entering into a contract for a permanent improvement project at the college or university under which the college or university makes contractual payments that are not reflected on its financial statement unless the board of regents is specifically authorized to enter into the contract by other law or receives prior approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03291F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3291
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
From fiscal note: [Part of} this bill would also define policies and procedures for notfication and placement of students required to register as sex offenders in either Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs or Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs. The bill provides that a JJAEP receiving students placed under the provisions of the bill is entitled to the same funding it would receive on behalf of a student placed in a JJAEP for conduct for which expulsion is permitted, but not required.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00006F.pdf
Title: S.B. 6
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Play |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Standardizes the exemptions for students enrolled in certain advanced courses from the requirement that a student be suspended from participation in extracurricular activities for receiving an unsatisfactory grade.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01517F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1517
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Establishes a program for school districts to administer international assessment tests to students in the district and specifies a funding source for the program. This program allows
the commissioner of education to compare the performance of Texas students to students of the same grade level in other countries. Requires the results of student performance on the international assessments to be reported to certain elected officials and each school district.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03259F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3259
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/ |
Assessment |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: This bill would phase out TAKS and replace it with end of course exams in the four core subject areas in grades 9-12. The end of course exams would count as 15% of the student's overall grade in a class. The bill would maintain accountability for schools while providing multiple pathways to graduation for students by allowing a student to satisfy graduation requirements in different ways instead rather than a single pass/fail test. The bill promotes college readiness by allowing satisfactory performance on AP/IB or similar college level avenues to substitute for end of course exams. The bill also requires students to complete college readiness diagnostics and college entrance exams at state expense. Finally, the bill provides for safeguards and criminal penalties to maintain the security and integrity of our assessment system.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01031F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1031
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Assessment--Formative/Interim |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the commissioner to establish an intensive mathematics and algebra intervention pilot program for students not performing at grade level in mathematics in grades 4 through 8 on campuses with populations of students identified as at-risk that exceed the statewide average. Campuses that participate in the intervention would be required to use screening and diagnostic assessments approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Requires the commissioner to adopt a list of approved mathematics and algebra intervention programs reviewed and recommended by a panel of recognized experts in mathematics education to be used by participating school districts. Requires TEA to contract for an evaluation of the program and to submit a report to the legislature in December of each even year regarding student progress and making recommendations for any statutory changes appropriate to promote mathematics and algebra readiness.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02504F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2504
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: Establishes the High School Completion and Success Initiative in order to improve secondary school instruction in Texas. The initiative provides support to schools and districts in implementing curriculum and instruction improvements that align with state standards and expectations for post-secondary success. The initiative also includes technical assistance to assist schools and school districts in the implementation of successful secondary education programs that maximize the impact of all available funds, including high school allotment funds. Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA), in coordination with the Legislative Budget Board, to establish an online clearinghouse of information relating to best practices of campuses and school districts regarding dropout prevention in addition to other areas previously set forth in this subsection.The bill also establishes the High School Completion and Success Initiative Council to develop and manage the implementation of a strategic plan that coordinates public and private high school improvement initiatives. The bill establishes a number of pilot programs intended to aid in reducing the state's high school dropout rate.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02237F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2237
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Increases the time frame required for a school district to report to certain authorities, from seven to 10 days, if a student has not attended school on 10 or more days without an excuse.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01161F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1161
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Bilingual/ESL |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Creates a dual language education pilot project including not more than 30 campuses in 10 districts statewide. School districts participating in the pilot project would be required to
participate for at least three years, with the first year being a planning year. Requires the state department to make periodic reports on the effectiveness of the pilot program. Directs the Commissioner to enter into a contract to license language-learning software using the language immersion methods by January 1, 2008. Requires expenditures for this subsection to be sufficient to support langauge learning opportunities for a maximum of one million students and employees for a maximum of three years. Limits expenditures for this purpose to $4 million annually.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02814F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2814
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: The purpose of this bill is to raise awareness about the value of career and technology education by including it in existing policies that impact student course-taking decisions. In this way, students, parents, and educators will consider CTE to be a viable course of study through which they can experience educational success and prepare themselves to take advantage of the many present and future opportunities of the Texas job market. H.B. 3485 promotes a career and technical curriculum to fulfill high school and postsecondary education requirements by creating a new review panel for career and technical educational curriculum under the Texas Education Agency.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03485F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3485
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Excusal |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Exempts foreign students enrolled in joint degree programs with Texas universities from the statutorily required 12 semester credit hours of Government/Political Science and Texas and American History, instead requiring such students to take a four-hour American Way course as set forth in the bill. This exemption would apply only to foreign students enrolled in joint degree programs conferred by both a Texas and a foreign university.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01051F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1051
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Physical Education |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: Provides that a school district shall require a student enrolled in kindergarten or a grade level below grade six to participate in moderate or vigorous daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes throughout the school year as part of the district's physical education curriculum or through structured activity during a school campus's daily recess. A school district shall require students enrolled in grade levels six, seven, and eight to participate in moderate or vigorous daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes for at least four semesters during those grade levels as part of the district's physical education curriculum. A school district must provide for an exemption for: any student who is unable to participate in the required physical activity because of illness or disability; and a middle school or junior high school student who participates in an extracurricular activity with a moderate or vigorous physical activity component that is considered a structured activity. Requires school districts to annually assess the physical fitness of students enrolled in Grades 3-12. TEC, §38.102, requires the commissioner of education to adopt an assessment instrument to be used by school districts in assessing student physical fitness. The statute also identifies specific factors the instrument must assess and requires criterion-referenced standards specific to a student's age and gender based on the physical fitness level required for good health. Adopted new 19 TAC Chapter 103, Subchapter AA, §103.1001, implements the TEC, §38.102, by adopting a rule that specifies that the commissioner of education shall determine the assessment instrument to be used by school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to assess the physical fitness of students.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00530F.pdf
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/adopted/1107/103-1001-two.pdf
Title: S.B. 530 and 19 TAC Chapter 103, Subchapter AA, §103.1001
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Science |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
H.B. 1700 implements nature science curriculum on a statewide level. The Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Center of Texas Tech University, and South Llano River State Park will develop the curriculum jointly. The bill requires that the curriculum for grades 6-12 be designed to: (1) be capable of implementation in any state park; (2) use park resources in providing instruction; and (3) be presented by classroom teachers and state park employees. The Texas Tech University Center at Junction, with assistance from the South Llano River State Park, would be required to present staff development courses in providing instruction in the nature science curriculum beginning September 1, 2008. Requires the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (T-STEM) Center of Texas Tech University to make the nature science curriculum available through the university 's Internet website or through a separate Internet website. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01700F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1700
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Requests that the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives create a select commission on higher education and global competitiveness to draft a Texas Compact that reflects a long-term vision and step-by-step plan to attain certain goals by 2020.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HC00159F.pdf
Title: H.C.R. 159
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the State Board of Education (board) to create the Employers for Education Excellence Award, to encourage businesses to implement policies that allow their employees to attend parent-teacher conferences, volunteer at schools, and participate in mentoring programs.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01433F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1433
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Finance |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Relates to the guaranteed yield of school district enrichment taxes to fund the maintenance and operations of public schools.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB00828F.pdf
Title: H.B. 828
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Finance--Equity |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Relates to the equalization of property wealth in certain school districts; provides that, if a school district's wealth per student exceeds the equalized wealth level for the first time in the 2006-2007 or a later school year, the commissioner may consider the district to have reduced its wealth per student to the equalized wealth level for any school year; provides for calculating the amount of state revenue to be withheld from a school district under certain circumstances.
Title: H.B. 3226
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to produce a certificate of recognition to any person who contributes $10,000 or an equivalent in gifts, within one year's time, to any institution of higher education for any purpose, program, or activity of the institution.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/analysis/pdf/SB00469H.pdf
Title: S.B. 469
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes a student to serve as a student representative on Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), but without voting power. The bill also authorizes students to serve on student-issue advisory committees of THECB.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01007F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1007
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: Student populations along the Texas-Mexico border suffer from high rates of Type 2 diabetes and are at an increased risk for becoming obese.Creates a bilingual coordinated health program in certain school districts along the border. The bill requires the commissioner of education to adopt a health program that will coordinate social systems that influence physical education, health class, food service, and parent/family awareness.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03618F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3618
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Health--Child Abuse |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the Texas Education Agency to maintain on its website links to information regarding the prevention of child abuse and to develop a training program related to the prevention of child abuse that a school district may use for staff development.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01456F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1456
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
High School |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Upon the request of the parent, requires school districts to posthumously issue a high school diploma to a student who died while enrolled in the 12th grade and was on track to receive a high school diploma and the end of the school year. A school district would not be required to issue a diploma to a student if the student had been convicted at any time prior to death of a felony offense.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01563F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1563
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires school districts to notify parents, whose children are in high school, about the availability of programs under which a student may earn college credit.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00282F.pdf
Title: S.B. 282
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: Currently, students who are home-schooled and have completed college preparatory education are not allowed to participate in Advanced Placement or Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) testing at public schools. The State of Virginia passed legislation requiring schools to make the testing known to home-schooled students and to allow them to participate in the testing. H.B. 1844 requires a school district to permit a home-schooled student to participate in an administration of the PSAT/NMSQT or a college advanced placement test offered by the district. The bill also requires that notice be provided to home-schooled students about the dates on which the PSAT/NMSQT will be administered and which districts will be administering the testing.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01844F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1844
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Codifies provisions concerning program performance goals, objectives, and measures and provides the commissioner of education authority to withhold funding from a Communities
In Schools (CIS) program that consistently fails to achieve performance criteria. (CIS has become the largest dropout prevention program in the state.)
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01609F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1609
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Leadership |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Clarifies the precise roles and relationship between boards and superintendents. Provides the major responsibilities of a board in a way that parallels the major responsibilities of a superintendent.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02563F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2563
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides that a student who is sent to a juvenile detention facility or a residential program is not considered to be a student of the school district in which the program or facility is physically
located, ensuring that the performance of the students in those facilities and programs do not affect the accountability ratings of school districts.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03092F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3092
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Directs the Commissioner of Education to establish a pilot program providing grants to school districts with enrollment of fewer than 5,000 students that are not located in a standard
metropolitan statistical area for the purpose of providing technology-based supplemental instruction. Grant award amounts equate to $200 per student served per year, not to exceed $4 million in total expenditures annually, and require that participating school districts contribute an additional $100 per student served per year. Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to conduct a performance evaluation of the pilot program, providing an interim report to the legislature by December 1, 2008 and a final evaluation by December 1, 2010. Evaluation costs cannot exceed $150,000 per fiscal year. Pilot program concludes at the end of fiscal year 2011.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02864F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2864
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Establishes a state virtual school network (network) so students throughout the state can have access to course work which may not otherwise be provided or offered. The bill sets forth the operational, administrative, and funding requirements of the network.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01788F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1788
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Adds the American Bar Association as a recognized accrediting agent in Texas under Section 61.003 (15) of the Education Code. This is the only accrediting body for law schools in the United States. This addition will have no negative effects on the accreditation of any institutions of higher education and does not create any accrediting authority for the ABA except to acknowledge such authority in statute.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00480F.pdf
Title: S.B. 480
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Prohibits relatives of public college and university board members from receiving certain scholarships from the institution or system whose board the member serves, with exceptions.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01325F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1325
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Provides flexibility in installment plans used by students to pay tuition and fees to an institution of higher education. The bill authorizes electronic agreements for emergency loans, and allows an origination fee, rather than interest, to be charged for an emergency loan.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01232F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1232
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Relates to refunding tuition and mandatory fees at institutions of higher education for dropped courses and student withdrawals.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01231F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1231
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Vetoed 06/2007 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Allows public junior colleges and community colleges to reduce tuition for all out-of-district students who live in the service area and can demonstrate financial need, provided they meet certain other criteria.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB00544F.pdf
Title: H.B. 544
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Requires career schools and colleges to refund tuition and fees to a student who withdraws from the institution as a result of being called to active military service. This bill also authorizes the student to choose to take an incomplete and re-enroll at no additional cost within 12 months of finishing military service. This bill authorizes a student to receive an appropriate final grade or credit if an instructor determines that the student has completed a substantial portion of the course.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00309F.pdf
Title: S.B. 309
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Became law without governor's signature 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
From bill analysis: Authorizes student fees for various A&M system component institutions. This bill creates a new student fee advisory committee at each institution of the A&M System that will review all increases and uses of student service-related system- wide fees. The bill authorizes new intercollegiate fees at Texas A&M International University, West Texas A&M University, and Texas A&M University--Commerce a student vote referendum to enact those fees. This bill requires the amount of the fees to not be increased to an amount that exceeds by 10 percent or more the total amount of the fees as last approved by a majority vote of the student bodies at those respective institutions.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03114F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3114
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Allows families to lock in today's rates for tuition and required fees for their children's future higher education needs, giving them more certainty about the cost of a college education. An investment in the Texas Tomorrow Fund II would be made by purchasing "units" each of which is worth one percent of one year's tuition and required fees. Once a child enters an institution of higher education, the Texas Tomorrow Fund II pays that institution the money initially invested in the child's account, plus any returns made on that investment.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03900F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3900
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
The Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board oversees two college savings plans: the Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan, which allows Texas families to prepay college tuition and is backed by the full faith and credit of the state, and Tomorrow's College Investment Plan, which works much like a 401(k) but with after-tax dollars. The board temporarily suspended enrollment in the guaranteed tuition plan in 2003 because of uncertainty about the effects of tuition deregulation. House Bill 2173 amends the Education Code to continue the board until September 1, 2019. In addition to across-the-board sunset provisions, the bill requires the board to establish criteria and procedures to guide it in determining when and under what conditions to reopen new enrollment in the prepaid higher education tuition program once new enrollment in the program is suspended, with the procedures requiring the board to consider the current program structure and determine whether any statutory or administrative changes are needed for the board to reopen new enrollment in an actuarially sound manner. The bill also requires the board to adopt an enrollment application form that indicates the information the applicant must provide for the application to be considered, including the purchaser's annual household income and highest educational level; the beneficiary's race or ethnicity; how the purchaser first learned about the program; and how the purchaser intends to finance the prepaid tuition contract. To provide sufficient time for program investments to mature in an actuarially sound manner with regard to the amounts prepaid under a contract entered into after December 31, 2003, the bill allows the board to require a maturity period between the time a purchaser enters into the contract and the time the board must act on its contractual obligation to pay any tuition or fees on behalf of the beneficiary. The bill also sets forth the board's obligations with respect to the college enrollment of a beneficiary of a prepaid tuition contract entered into after December 31, 2003. http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02173F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2173
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Vetoed 06/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
From bill analysis: Requires that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's (THECB) master plan be geared toward preparing Texas college students for participating in the public affairs of the state as well as the global economy. This bill requires the master plan to define the missions and roles of public institutions of higher education in a way consistent with state needs and goals; establish more effective methods for funding higher education; establish a coherent long-term financial aid strategy that takes into account both needs and merit; strengthen collaboration between two-year and four-year institutions; and develop and institutionalize long-term collaboration between primary, secondary, and higher education.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01234F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1234
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to adopt rules establishing a standard method for computing a student's high school grade point average in a certain manner. The bill also requires the annual report each general academic teaching institution (institution) is required to submit to THECB to include the high school grade point average in the demographic breakdown describing the composition of the institution's entering class of students. Also requires each institution to adopt a written policy to promote the admission of undergraduate transfer students to the institution.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03851F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3851
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Existing law requires general academic teaching institutions to automatically admit students who graduate in the top 10% of their high school class. New provision specifies that such students must have completed (1) the recommended or advanced high school program or its equivalent at a private high school, or (2) satisfied ACT's College Readiness Benchmarks on the ACT assessment or earned at least 1,500 out of 2,400 (or the equivalent) on the SAT. Also lists administrative procedures a student graduating in the top 10% of his/her high school class must follow to qualify for automatic admission. Requires institutions of higher education to automatically admit any undergraduate applicant who is the child of a public servant killed in the line of duty and who meets the minimum requirements, if any, established for these purposes by the governing board of the institution relating to high school or prior college-level grade point average and performance on standardized tests.
Existing law requires general academic teaching institutions to determine whether to adopt a policy to automatically admit first-time freshman applicants graduating in the top 25% of the applicant's high school class. New provision specifies that such students graduating in the top 25% must have completed the recommended or advanced high school program (or equivalent) and other specified requirements.
Directs the higher education coordinating board to determine, for purposes of postsecondary admissions, (1) whether a private high school is accredited by a generally recognized accrediting organization, and (2) whether a person completed a high school curriculum that is equivalent in content and rigor to the requirements for the recommended or advanced high school program.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03826F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3826
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Religion |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Clarifies the first amendment rights of students at school by codifying current court decisions regarding religious expression and by authorizing the school district to adopt and implement a policy that establishes a limited public forum, provides certain disclaimers, and sets forth permissible forms of religious expression by students.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03678F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3678
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Rural |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Subject to available funds, the office shall establish a grant program under which the Office of Rural Community Affairs awards grants to public institutions of higher education, public high schools, and governmental entities located in a rural county for the development and operation of multi-institutional technology centers.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02235F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2235
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides that when notification of the transfer of a student who is on probation or parole is required, a parole or probation office must notify the superintendent or a person designated by the superintendent of the school district to which the student is returned or transfers.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00230F.pdf
Title: S.B. 230
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Relates to the expulsion and placement in alternative settings of public school students who engage in conduct constituting certain felonies.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02532F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2532
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
School Safety--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires school districts with schools located within 1,000 yards of a railroad track to establish a policy for responding to train derailments in the district's multihazard emergency operations plan.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01504F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1504
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Prohibits persons who have committed offenses such as vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident from operating a school bus for
10 years after said offense. Defines "multifunction school activity bus" and prohibits this type of bus from being painted National School Bus Glossy Yellow in order to differentiate between multifunction school activity buses and regular school buses so that schools know which of these buses are safe for certain situations. Requires school bus operators to wear seat belts if available and sets other safety requirements.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03190F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3190
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Vetoed 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Prohibits school buses with diesel engines from idling at schools or school events.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03457F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3457
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires a county or school district to allow a parent to designate a grandparent's residence or child-care facility for the purpose of accessing transportation to and from the child's school if the location is on an approved route.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01713F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1713
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
State Longitudinal Data Systems |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: Provides that a school district that is required to offer bilingual education or special language programs shall include the following information in the district's Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) report: demographic information, as determined by the commissioner, on students enrolled in district bilingual education or special language programs; the number and percentage of students enrolled in each instructional model of a bilingual education or special language program offered by the district; and the number and percentage of students identified as students of limited English proficiency who do not receive specialized instruction.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01871F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1871
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance |
Vetoed 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, institutions of higher education, and relevant professionals to develop an instrument to assess student academic advising services.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01053F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1053
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop a work-study mentorship program under which eligible college students are authorized to mentor and counsel other students. The bill also provides for the funding of the program, authorizes students to serve as mentors in GO Centers and in high schools, and authorizes nonprofit organizations to partner with institutions of higher education to pursue the objectives of the program.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01050F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1050
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Amends Section 21.12, Penal Code, by adding Subsection (d), to prohibit the name of a person who is enrolled in a public or private primary or secondary school and involved in an
improper relationship with an educator from being released to the public and provides that such information is not public information.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03659F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3659
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the temporary certification period of an educator employed by a school district that has constructed or expanded at least one instructional facility as a result of increased student enrollment due to action taken under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 to expire one year after the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) informs the educator of the examination or examinations the on which educator is required to perform successfully to receive a standard certificate.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01912F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1912
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Vetoed 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Amends the Educator Excellence Awards program to allow districts to spend certain funds awarded through the program on stipends for classroom teachers who have obtained national board certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02646F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2646
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Adds the relevant parts of amounts received for awards for student achievement, educator excellence, and mentoring programs and all salary amounts designated as health care supplementation to the definition of "salary and wages" required to be reported and deducted for member contributions to the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and to credit in benefit computations.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01877F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1877
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.usteNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides for a centralized structure for making both funding and benefits decisions, and prohibits the state's contribution rate from dropping below the contribution rate of active members.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01846F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1846
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Technology |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to create a technology literacy assessment pilot program for students in grades five through nine in both urban and rural areas of the state. The assessment instrument must be designed to assess an individual student's mastery of the essential knowledge and skills in technology. The assessment instrument adopted under this program must be an existing product that is currently available.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02503F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2503
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Technology--Internet Safety |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the Texas Education Agency to adopt a universal Internet safety and use curriculum so that students may be made aware of the dangers of the Internet. The guide should specifically include information regarding the danger of giving personal information to be obtained via websites, the importance of copyright laws, and the consequences of plagiarism and
illegal downloading of electronic media.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB03171F.pdf
Title: H.B. 3171
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Requires textbook publishers to make electronic copies of textbooks and other assigned written materials promptly available to universities, if requested, for use by visually impaired students. The bill also prohibits publishers from charging an entity for the material and subjects publishers who fail to comply with the law to administrative penalties imposed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/analysis/pdf/HB03382S.pdf
Title: H.B. 3382
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Accountability--School Improvement |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
A portion of this large bill establishes grants of up to $2.5 million per year to provide technical assistance and professional development activities for teachers and administrators. In addition, the bill requires the commissioner, from appropriated funds, to establish a mathematics instructional coaches' pilot program for middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is required to establish and fund mathematics, science, and technology teacher preparation academies at institutions of higher education.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02237F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2237 (Technical Assistance, Professional Development Provisions)
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Assessment |
Vetoed 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Extends the provision allowing students transferring into Texas schools to use their SAT or ACT scores to "test out" of the math and language arts portions of the TAKS exit exams to military dependents in their junior or senior year and requires the Texas Education Agency to establish performance levels that would allow a student to test out of specified portions of the TAKS exit exams.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00960F.pdf
Title: S.B. 960
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
One part of this large bill requires the commissioner of education to contract with one or more education research centers to study best practices for dropout prevention in this state and others, with a report due to the Legislature by December 1, 2008. New Section 29.095 creates a pilot program to provide grants to school districts to fund student club activities for students at risk of dropping out of school. The funding is limited to $4 million per state fiscal biennium. New Section 29.096 establishes a pilot program to implement a local collaborative dropout reduction grant program, to be funded from appropriated funds of up to $4.0 million each year. New Section 29.097 establishes an intensive technology-based academic intervention pilot program from funds appropriated for this purpose. Grants cannot exceed $50 per participating student, have to be matched by other funds, and are limited to a statewide total of $3.0 million per year. New Section 29.098 establishes a pilot program to award grants to participating campuses to provide intensive academic instruction during the summer
semester to promote college and workforce readiness to students at risk of dropping out of school, with state grant awards limited to $750 per student.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02237F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2237 (At-Risk Components)
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
Postsec. |
Requires random steroid testing of high school students participating in University Interscholastic League (UIL) -sponsored and UIL-sanctioned athletic competitions.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00008F.pdf
Title: S.B. 8
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Permits students who are at least 21 years of age and under 26 years of age on the first day of September of any school year to be eligible for funding under the Foundation School Program for the purposes of completing the requirements for a high school diploma. Persons are not eligible if they engage in conduct that would require a disciplinary placement if the person were under the age of 21. Clarifies the eligibility for public school prekindergarten programs of certain children who are or were in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services. School districts would be prohibited from placing a student who is 21 years of age or older who has not attended school in the three preceding school years in a classroom, cafeteria, or school activity with students who are 18 years of age or younger.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01137F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1137
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires a national criminal history background check for all certified public school employees. Current non-certified employees are required to submit to a statewide criminal review, while non-certified employees hired on or after January 1, 2008 will be required to submit to a national criminal history background check.This bill also creates a clearinghouse at the Department of Public Safety for this information to be shared between school districts when an employee transfers to another employer to increase efficiency and reduce the costs associated with background checks.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00009F.pdf
Title: S.B. 9
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Entitles a student to reimbursement for the cost of a certification examination upon completion of a school district's career and technology program in which a student receives instruction for employment in a certain trade or occupation if the student passes the examination and demonstrates financial need. Amends eligibility provisions of the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program. Changes a current law requirement for scholarhip recipients to be Texas residents to require that recipients be a citizen of the United States or otherwise lawfully authorized to be present in the United States. Extends the period of time for completion of the recommended or advanced high school program with at least 30 hours of college credit from 45 to 46. The provision that currently requires a student to have attended high school exclusively in one or more public high schools in Texas is changed to require that a student graduate from a public high school in Texas but extends eligibility to include students who have attended one or more Texas high schools for the majority of their high school enrollment.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02383F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2383
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Relates to the issuance by a corporation established by the Texas Public Finance Authority of revenue bonds for open-enrollment charter school facilities.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01400F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1400
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Curriculum |
Became law without governor's signature 05/2007 |
P-12 |
To address an increase in births to unmarried parents in Texas from 1995 to 2002, the office of the Attorney General created the Parenting and Paternity Awareness (P.A.P.A.) program. The program involves engaging students in discussions regarding marriage, committed relationships, and the importance of a father to a child's well-being. Many teachers across Texas have received the curriculum training with positive response from both teachers and students. However, the Texas Education Code does not require school districts to provide an educational program or support services for students who are parents, or to female students who are pregnant. Requiring this type of program in schools may result in students who are better informed about the duties and responsibilities of parenting, relationship skills, and money management. Additionally, such a program may decrease the number of pregnancies and improve parenting relationships and financial skills of those who are parents and of those who are soon to become parents. H.B. 2176 requires a school district to incorporate a parenting and paternity awareness program, developed by the state board in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, into the high school health curriculum.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02176F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2176
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Curriculum--Science |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
One section of this bill creates a science laboratory grant program. Requires the commissioner to establish a competitive grant program to provide funds to school districts for the purpose of constructing or renovating high school science laboratories. The amount of assistance per project is limited to no more than $200 per square foot for new construction of science laboratories or $100 per square foot for renovation of existing science laboratories.School districts that apply will be ranked according to their wealth per student in average daily
attendance (ADA), and priority will be given to districts with low wealth per ADA. In order to qualify, district must demonstrate that its existing science laboratories are insufficient in number to comply with the curriculum requirements for the recommended and advanced high school programs that include four courses of science.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02237F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2237 (Science Lab Provisions)
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Relates to the imposition of impact fees on the property of a school district; establishes that a school district is not required to pay impact fees unless the board of trustees of the district consents to the payment of the fees by entering a contract with the political subdivision that imposes the fees.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00883F.pdf
Title: S.B. 883
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
The bill requires the inclusion of additional information regarding human papillomavirus in course materials related to sexually transmitted diseases in the model public health education program for school-aged children developed by Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/doc/HB01379F.doc
Title: H.B. 1379
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Health |
Became law without governor's signature 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Prohibits requiring immunization against human papillomavirus (HPV) as a condition for admission to any elementary or secondary school. All contrary executive orders of the governor are preempted by the bill. The bill requires that educational material about HPV vaccine be made available to each parent or legal guardian at the appropriate time in the immunization schedule by the appropriate school. These requirements expire January 11, 2011.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01098F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1098
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Sec. 38.019. IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS PROGRAM. Requires the Department of State Health Services to prepare a list of the immunizations required for admission to public schools and of any additional immunizations the department recommends for school- age children, requires the list be available in English and Spanish and in a manner that permits a school district to easily post the list on the district's Internet website. Requires a school district that maintains an Internet website to post prominently on the website certain information relating to immunization requirements.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01059F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1059
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Health--Child Abuse |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Provide that the name of a student or minor who is the victim of abuse or unlawful conduct by an educator must be included in a report filed under Section 21.006, but the name of the student or minor is not public information under Chapter 552, Government Code.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00606F.pdf
Title: S.B. 606
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
High School |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Establishes and grants authority to the High School Completion and Success Initiative Council concerning grants and technical assistance in support of innovative research-based high
school improvement programs and to enhance education practices. The High School Completion and Success Initiative Council (HSCSIC) is composed of the commissioner of education, the commissioner of higher education, and seven members appointed by the commissioner of education. The HSCSIC is to be staffed by the state education agency and the higher education agency. Requires the commissioner of education to set aside, from funds appropriated for high school completion and success, not more than 5 percent to contract for an evaluation of the programs supported by grants approved by the HSCSIC.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02237F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2237 (High School Provisions)
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires development and implementation of college-prep courses and end-of-course assessments (mathematics, science, social studies, and English language arts) in school districts beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, with implementation of the requirement for the end-of-course assessment to account for 15% of a student's course grade beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02237F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2237 (End of Course Assessment Provisions)
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the commissioner to award grants to organizations that provide volunteers for programs to enhance college readiness, workforce readiness, dropout prevention, and personal
financial literacy. Also requires the commissioner of education to review and approve dropout prevention strategies in districts meeting certain criteria. New Section 29.919 requires the commissioner of education to establish a pilot program to provide grants to rural campuses for technology-based supplemental instruction. State funds for the program are limited to $4 million a year, or greater amount as provided by appropriations.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02237F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2237 (Supplemental Help Provisions)
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
Postsec. |
Allow graduates of unaccredited high schools (including home school programs) to compete for loans through the B-On-Time Student Loan Program. Prohibits discrimination based on the secondary school attended.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01250F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1250
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires the Texas Veterans Commission (commission) to establish a program to issue vouchers to be exchanged for an exemption from the payment of tuition and required fees at an institution of higher education to students in grades 6 through 12 or at postsecondary educational institutions who sound "Taps" on a bugle, trumpet, or cornet during military honors funerals held in this state for deceased veterans. Requires a voucher to be issued in the amount of $25 for each time a student sounds "Taps" as described by this subsection. Requires the commission to encourage a private or independent institution of higher education to grant a tuition and fee exemption in exchange for a voucher. Authorizes a district to excuse a student in grades 6 through 12 for the purpose of sounding "Taps" at a military honors funeral held in this state for a deceased veteran. Prohibits a student whose absence is excused under this subsection from being penalized.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01187F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1187
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Provides exemption from tuition and fees at a public institution of higher education for adopted students.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02702F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2702
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
Postsec. |
Exempts mandatory fees, in addition to tuition, for members of the Texas Military Forces attending institutions of higher education for up to 12 credit hours per semester through the Tuition Assistance Program.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00685F.pdf
Title: S.B. 685
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
Postsec. |
Removes the requirement that the student's name be removed from an application for student regent before consideration by the university's chancellor or president. Updates the eligibility requirements for appointment as student regent by requiring the student to be in good academic standing throughout the person's term and by setting a minimum grade point average of 2.5. Provides that a student regent is entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00276F.pdf
Title: S.B. 276
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Removes the pilot status of several community colleges that offer limited baccalaureate degrees in applied science and technology and makes granting of baccalaureate
degrees in applied science and technology at these schools permanent. This bill also authorizes THECB to authorize additional public junior colleges, if they meet all the stated prerequisites, to participate in the baccalaureate degree program.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02198F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2198
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Reading/Literacy |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires, rather than authorizes, the commissioner of education to establish by rule an intensive reading or language intervention pilot program. The bill requires the Commissioner to allocate up to $6 million for the pilot from funds appropriated for accelerated instruction.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01270F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1270
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Reading/Literacy |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Directs the commissioner to establish teacher academies for teachers providing reading instruction for students in grades 6 through 8 by June 1, 2008. Attendance in a
reading academy is required for teachers of reading, mathematics, science, or social studies in grades 6, 7, or 8 on campuses rated academically unacceptable based on student performance on reading assessments. The commissioner will develop criteria for selection of other teachers to attend. Teacher attending the reading academies are entitled to a stipend. The commissioner is required to conduct or contract for a performance evaluation of the reading academies and deliver a report to the legislature by December 1, 2010. Also directs school districts to administer a reading instrument adopted by the commissioner to each 7th grade student whose performance on the 6th grade reading assessment indicates a lack of reading proficiency. School districts must provide additional reading instruction and intervention to 7th grade students to address areas of need identified by the reading instrument.
Authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules requiring school districts receiving federal funding under Title I to use those funds to provide supplemental educational services in conjunction with accelerated instruction.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02237F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2237 (Reading-Related Provisions)
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Religion |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Authorizes districts to offer to students in grade nine or above an elective course on the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and its impact and an elective course on the New
Testament and its impact, or an elective course that combines those two courses. (b) Provides that the purpose of a course under this section is to teach students knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory, and public policy, and familiarize students with, as applicable, the contents of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament, the history of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament, the literary style and
structure of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament, and the influence of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament on law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and culture. Prohibits requiring students to use a specific translation as the sole text.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01287F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1287
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Prohibits the possession of a firearm if a person intentionally exhibits, uses, or threatens to exhibit or use a firearm in a manner intended to cause alarm or personal injury to
another person or to damage school property in or on any property, including a parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area, that is owned by a private or public school, or on a school
bus being used to transport children to or from school-sponsored activities of a private or public school.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02112F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2112
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
School Safety--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires that at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) be made available at every public school campus, and school athletic competitions and practices, and that someone who knows how to use the AED be present at each location where the device is available. Also, the bill requires training of certain school personnel and certain students in the proper use of an AED and in using CPR. In addition, the bill requires the State Board of Education to include instruction in CPR and AED as part of the essential knowledge and skills of the health
curriculum.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00007F.pdf
Title: S.B. 7
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
H.B. 1230 requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (executive commissioner) to monitor programs and services to study trends and to promote positive outcomes for transitional youth with disabilities. This bill requires transition counselors to receive training on long-term supports and services from other health and human services agencies. This bill also requires the executive commissioner to establish a work group with the goal of creating and implementing a plan to ensure the efficiency and availability of postschooling opportunities, state and local services for adults, and supported employment opportunities. Relates to services provided to youth with disabilities transitioning from school-oriented living to post-schooling activities, services for adults, and community living.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01230F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1230
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
STEM |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to design and administer a one-week summer program to take place on campuses that offer engineering degree programs
and establish and administer a degree scholarship program for students who graduate with certain credentials.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02978F.pdf
Title: H.B. 2978
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: Currently, a school district employee who needs to report a grievance against a supervisor must report the grievance to their supervisor if the school district to which the employee belongs does not have a provision in its grievance policy to allow employees to report a grievance to another supervisor. H.B. 1622 requires that the grievance policy of a school district include a provision allowing employees to report a grievance against a supervisor to a supervisor other than the supervisor against whom a grievance is being reported.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB01622F.pdf
Title: H.B. 1622
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: Under current law, public school employees who resign at the end of a school year are not entitled to remain on the school district's insurance policy during the summer months. This causes public school employees to lose health insurance coverage during the summer months when they move to a position with a new school district. H.B. 973 entitles employees of school districts to remain on the district's group health insurance coverage through the summer months if their resignation was effective after the last day of an instructional year. This bill also prohibits the school district and the Teacher Retirement System from diminishing or eliminating the amount of a contribution or salary supplementation available to an employee as long as the employee is eligible to participate or enroll in the group health insurance plan.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB00973F.pdf
Title: H.B. 973
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) board of trustees to buy and sell certain investments and other instruments commonly used by pension funds only to efficiently manage and reduce the risk of the overall investment portfolio. This bill allows delegation of investment authority to and contracting with private professional investment managers of not more than 30% of the fund. Use of external managers will allow TRS to invest in certain markets for which TRS is not able to efficiently invest in currently due to either staff limitations or the inability to obtain internal expertise in these areas.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB01447F.pdf
Title: S.B. 1447
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Prohibit school districts from requiring district employees to waive immunity from liability for acts for which they are immune from liability under Section 22.0511, Education Code, or require an employee who acts in good faith to pay for or replace property that is or was in the employee's possession because of an act incident to or within the scope of employment, or require an employee who acts in good faith to pay for certain equipment that is damaged, stolen, misplaced, or not returned, except under certain limited circumstances.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00370F.pdf
Title: S.B. 370
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
H.B. 566 authorizes school districts to require persons who voluntarily enroll in school or voluntarily attend school after their 18th birthday to attend school until the end of the school year (to help districts reduce the number of dropouts). The bill also makes certain truancy laws applicable to these students, but does not provide for the imposition of sanctions on the parents of these students.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB00566F.pdf
Title: H.B. 566
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Governance |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Protects this important communication by prohibiting employment policies that restrict the ability of a school district employee to communicate directly with a member of the school board on matters relating to the operation of the school district, exception that the bill does allow certain inappropriate ex parte communications to be prohibited.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00135F.pdf
Title: S.B. 135
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
From the bill analysis: The bill amends the Education Code to authorize the board of trustees of school districts to change the length of the terms of its trustees to either three or four years. The bill requires that trustees must specify the manner in which the transition from the length of the former term to the new modified term is made. The bill requires that the transition must begin with the first regular election for trustees that occurs after January 1, 2008.The 79th Legislature mandated that school districts hold joint elections with a municipality, county, or the state. Approximately 50 to 70 districts must change from May to November elections either because they are not part of a municipality that has a May election or because the district is not located in a city and therefore, must partner with the county or state.
Several years ago, the Legislature provided districts sufficient time to change the length of their terms in response to new legislation. Now that another change has been mandated, it is only fair to open the window again for a short time. This bill gives school districts until the end of 2007 to change to three- or four-year terms, which would enable them to partner with one entity. Another benefit of this bill is that voters will become accustomed to seeing school board races on their ballots during city elections instead of on different types of elections year after year.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB00477H.pdf
Title: S.B. 670
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Adopted 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides more high school students with access to college-levelcourses. The only word changed was from an "and" to an "or." (A) a student achieves a score of 2200 on Mathematics and/or a score of 2200 on English Language Arts with a writing subsection score of at least 3 on the tenth grade TAKS relevant to the courses to be attempted. An eligible high school student who has enrolled in dual credit courses in the eleventh grade under this provision shall not be required to demonstrate further evidence of eligibility to enroll in dual credit courses in the twelfth grade; or
(B) the student achieves a combined score of 107 on the PSAT/NMSQT with a minimum of 50 on the critical reading and/or mathematics test relevant to the courses to be attempted. An eligible high school student who has enrolled in dual credit under this provision must demonstrate eligibility to enroll in dual credit courses in twelfth grade.
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/sos/adopted/19.EDUCATION.html#853
Title: 19 TAC 1.4.D.4.85
Source: http://www.sos.state.tx.us |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
This bill provides that a school district to issue a certificate of attendance to a student who receives special education services, and who has completed four years of high school but has not completed the student's individualized education program. The bill further provides that a school district shall allow a student who receives a certificate to participate in a graduation ceremony with students receiving high school diplomas, and also provides that a student to which this provision applies may participate in only one graduation ceremony. Finally, the bill provides that this subsection does not preclude a student from receiving a diploma (regarding receiving a high school diploma upon completing an individualized education program for special education students).
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SB00673F.pdf
Title: S.B. 673
Source: http://www.legis.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Adopted 03/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires all state agencies, except institutions of higher education,state agencies defined in ?531.001(4), Government Code, and state agencies granted an exemption from the requirements by the department, to post a synopsis of all funding opportunities under financial assistance programs atwww.dir.state.tx.us/approvals/index, the central website designated by thedepartment. TEXAS 10886
Title: 1 TAC 10.210.210.3 -.5
Source: Lexis-Nexis |
Accountability--School Improvement |
Adopted 02/2007 |
P-12 |
House Bill 1, 79th Texas Legislature, Third Called Session, 2006, amended the TEC, Chapter 39, by adding §39.1322 requiring the commissioner of education to select and assign a technical assistance team (TAT) to a campus rated Academically Acceptable in the state accountability rating system if that campus would be rated Academically Unacceptable using the accountability standards for the subsequent year. The new rule will provide for the early identification of campuses at risk of not meeting higher state accountability standards required in the subsequent school year.
Adopted new 19 TAC §97.1002 establishes provisions for identifying TAT campuses, including waiving the requirement to assign a TAT based on specific criteria.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/adopted/0207/97-1002-two.pdf
Title: 19 TAC Chapter 97 (97-1002)
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us |
Finance--Equity |
Adopted 02/2007 |
P-12 |
Based on the premise that the legislature finds that the existing need for lower school district property taxes constitutes an emergency for the people of Texas. Based on legislative actions taken following the Texas Supreme Court decision in Neeley v. West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District, 176 S.W. 3d 746 (Tex. 2005). Relates to the appropriation of state tax revenues for the purpose of funding school district property tax rate reductions.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/SC00020F.pdf
Title: S.C.R. 20
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Issued 02/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of State Health Services to make the HPV vaccine available through the Texas Vaccines for Children program for eligible young females up to age 18, and the Health and Human Services Commission to make the vaccine available to Medicaid-eligible young females from age 19 to 21. Requires the Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner to adopt rules that mandate the age appropriate vaccination of all female children for HPV prior to admission to the sixth grade.
http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/exorders/rp65
Title: Executive Order RP 65
Source: |
Governance |
Adopted 01/2007 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes the Commissioner to provide direct supervision of the educational research centers created by Texas Education Code.
http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/GeneralPubs/Agenda/Ag2007_01/VII/VIIA1.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 1.1.A.1.17
Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us |
High School--College Readiness |
Adopted 01/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Establishes rules, in cooperation with the commissioner of education, for the implementation of the P-16 College Readiness and Success Strategic Action Plan recommended by the statewide P-16 Council and adopted by the board. Defines the purpose of the P-16 College Readiness and Success Strategic Action Plan:
(a) To increase student success and decrease the number of students enrolling in developmental course work in institutions of higher education, the board, in cooperation with the commissioner of education, shall implement the P-16 College Readiness and Success Strategic Action Plan as recommended by the statewide P-16 Council and adopted by the board pursuant to Texas Education Code, Section 61.0761(a). Sets criteria for participation. Describes the purpose of summer higher education bridge programs: For institutions of higher education to provide public high school students who are not college-ready with appropriate instruction and other activities during summer programs to ensure eligible students achieve college readiness. Establishes processes for program funding and financial aid. http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/GeneralPubs/Agenda/Ag2007_01/VD/VDA1.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 1.4.A.4.3
Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us |
P-16 or P-20 |
Adopted 12/2006 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
HB 1, 79th Texas Legislature, Third Called Session, 2006, amended the TEC, Chapter 28, by adding §28.008 requiring the commissioner of education and the commissioner of higher education to establish vertical teams composed of public school educators and institution of higher education faculty. The legislation also requires the commissioner of education by rule to establish the composition and duties of the vertical teams in cooperation with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The primary purpose of the vertical team is to recommend college readiness standards and expectations that address what students must know and be able to do to succeed in entry-level courses offered at institutions of higher education.
Adopted new 19 TAC §74.1001, developed cooperatively with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, establishes provisions for a college readiness vertical team, including the purpose, composition, appointment, and duties. The college readiness vertical team is comprised of four subject-specific vertical teams, one each to address English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
The TEC, §28.008(d)-(f), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to incorporate the college readiness standards into essential knowledge and skills established under the TEC, §28.002. The TEC, §28.008, authorizes the retention of all SBOE authority over required curriculum, and establishes a timeline for integration and implementation.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are fiscal implications for state government. In fiscal year 2007, the total estimated expenditure is $1,332,188, as follows. The cost of $1.1 million in professional fees is estimated for conducting the business of the vertical team meetings; other operating expenses are estimated at $31,264; and personnel costs are estimated at $200,924. The estimated personnel costs cover four new full-time equivalent program specialist positions responsible for program implementation.
In fiscal years 2008-2011, the personnel costs of $200,924 are estimated to continue for each year of the next four fiscal years. There are no fiscal implications anticipated for local government or individuals. Summary: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/adopted/1206/74-1001-ltradopt.html
Full text: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/adopted/1206/74-1001-two.pdf
Title: 19 TAC §74.1001
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Adopted 11/2006 |
P-12 |
Increases the requirements for the Recommended and Distinguished high school curriculum options effective with the Class of 2011. Increases the total number of units required for both these options from 24 to 26. Increases Carnegie unit requirements in both math and science from 3 to 4. For Recommended program, requires 4th unit math to be selected from any of 12 courses, many of which are above Algebra II. For Distinguished program, requires 4th unit to be chosen from units above Algebra II (in addition to existing 3-unit sequence for both programs of Algebra I, II and geometry).
Requires 4 units in Distinguished program to include 1 unit biology, 1 unit chemistry and 1 unit physics, with 4th unit chosen from state-specified lab sciences. Effective with the Class of 2016, requires 3 non-elective science units in Recommended program to meet these criteria (4th lab science may be selected from larger pool of lab sciences).
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=19&pt=2&ch=74&sch=F&rl=Y
Title: TX 19 TAC 74.61 through 74.64
Source: info.sos.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Adopted 10/2006 |
Postsec. |
Chapter 13, Subchapter F, Section 13.108. Financial Planning - Formula Funding and Tuition Charged for Excess Credit Hours of Undergraduate Students
Amends rules relating to the exemption of some students from higher tuition charges for repeated courses needed for graduation. Clarifies that theexemption from higher tuition applies only to students in the semester or term before graduation and is applicable to only one semester. http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/GeneralPubs/Agenda/Ag2006_10/IXF/IXFA1.pdf
Title: Chapter 13, Subchapter F, Section 13.108
Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us |
P-16 or P-20 |
Adopted 08/2006 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
New rules regarding college-readiness and success standardsand statewide vertical teams apply to all public institutions of higher education. Establishes the composition and duties of the statewide vertical teams required to develop and recommend college-readiness standards. http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/GeneralPubs/Agenda/Ag2006_10/XIIG/XIIGA1.pdf#page=3
Title: Chapter 4, Subchapter H, Sections 4.171-4.174
Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us |
Promotion/Retention |
Adopted 08/2006 |
P-12 |
Amends rules relating to the optional extended year program for students in kindergarten through grade eleven who are identified as likely not to be promoted to the next grade level for the succeeding school year. TEXAS 9885
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter105/ch105aa.html
Title: 19 TAC 2.105.AA.105.1001
Source: Texas Rules |
Career/Technical Education |
Adopted 07/2006 |
P-12 |
Allows for students who are at higher proficiency levels to meet the graduation requirements by taking higher level language courses. Clarifies that Tech prep is a program of study, not a course. TEXAS 99898
Title: 19 TAC 2.74.D.74.43, .44
Source: Texas Regulations |
Career/Technical Education |
Adopted 07/2006 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Establishes purpose, authority and general provisions for Tech-Prep Consortia. Outlines the state administration of Tech-Prep Programs and Consortia. Establishes the responsibilities of the consortia. Establishes the criteria for a statewide system to evaluate each consortium biennially, the process for the evaluations, and any requisite action that results from the evaluations. TEXAS 99895
Title: 19 TAC 1.9.K.9.201 -.206
Source: Texas Higher Ed. Board |
Accountability |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Requires the commissioner, in consultation with the comptroller, to develop and implement a financial accountability
rating system for school districts in this state that: (1) distinguishes among school districts based on levels of financial performance; and
(2) includes procedures to: (A) provide additional transparency to public education finance; and (B) enable the commissioner and school district administrators to provide meaningful financial oversight and improvement.
The commissioner shall annually establish and publish the proposed expenditures for each school district as determined by the
commissioner based on an evaluation of information relating to the best practices of campuses and districts. The commissioner shall consider unique characteristics of the district, including the district's size. The proposed expenditures must include amounts for: (1) instructional expenditures; (2) central administrative expenditures; (3) district operations; and (4) any other category designated by the commissioner.
If the board of trustees of a school district intends to exceed the proposed expenditures established by the commissioner, the board must adopt and publish a resolution that includes an explanation justifying the board's actions.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/data/docmodel/793/billtext/pdf/HB00001F.PDF
Title: H.B. 1 C (Sections 2.05; 2.09)
Source: Texas Legislature |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
The department, the Texas Education Agency, and the Health and Human Services Commission shall ensure that applicable information
maintained by each entity is used on at least a quarterly basis to identify children who are categorically eligible for free meals under the national free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch program. In complying with this subsection, the department, agency, and commission shall use information that corresponds to the months of the year in which enrollment in the food stamp program is customarily higher than average.
(b)AAThe department shall determine the feasibility
The department shall determine the feasibility of establishing a process under which school districts verify student eligibility for the national free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch program through a direct verification process that uses information maintained under the food stamp and Medicaid programs,
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/data/docmodel/793/billtext/pdf/HB00001F.PDF
Title: H.B. 1 C (Section 1.19)
Source: Texas Legislature |
Curriculum--Science |
Adopted 05/2006 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Establishes certification requirements for master science teachers to ensure that there are teachers with special training to mentor other teachers and work with students in order to improve student science performance. TEXAS 99647
Title: 19 TAC 7.239.E.239.104
Source: Texas Rules |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Relates to public school finance, property tax relief, public school accountability and programs. Requires school districts to reduce their M&O tax rates in 2006 to 88.67 percent of their 2005 M&O tax rate. School districts would receive "hold harmless" funding of the amount of state revenue necessary to maintain state and local revenue per weighted student equal to either the amount the district would have been entitled for the 2006-07 school year under current law or 2005-2006 revenue per weighted student, including state aid received for property value decline and "recapture" arrangements under Chapter 42. The bill appropriates $2.39 billion to school districts for fiscal 2007 in "hold harmless" funds.
For school districts subject to "recapture" of local property tax revenue under Education Code, ch. 41, M&O tax revenue on tax rates greater than $1.33 per $100 of valuation would not be subject to recapture. School districts that qualify for the "guaranteed yield" would receive the
current allotment of $27.14 per weighted student for every penny of tax effort above their new compressed rate (up to $1.50).
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/data/docmodel/793/billtext/pdf/HB00001F.PDF
Bill Analysis
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/data/hrofr/pdf/ba793/HB0001.PDF
Title: H.B. 1C
Source: Texas Legislature |
High School |
Adopted 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Establishes the commissioner's rules concerning high school diplomas for certain veterans. TEXAS 99138
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/adopted/0506/061-1061-two.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 2.61.FF.61.1061
Source: Texas Rules |
Promising Practices |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
In coordination with the Legislative Budget Board, the Texas Education Agency must establish an online clearinghouse of information relating to best practices of campuses and school districts regarding instruction, public school finance, resource allocation, and business practices. To the extent practicable, the agency must ensure that information provided through the online clearinghouse is specific, actionable information relating to the best practices of high-performing and highly efficient campuses and school district. The information must be accessible by campuses, school districts, and interested members of the public.
The agency shall contract for the services of one or more third-party contractors to develop, implement, and maintain a system of collecting and evaluating the best practices of campuses and school districts.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/data/docmodel/793/billtext/pdf/HB00001F.PDF
Title: H.B. 1C (Section 7.009)
Source: Texas Legislature |
Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation |
Adopted 02/2006 |
Postsec. |
Adds new definitions pertaining to "fictitious degree," "fraudulent or substandard degree," "protected term." TEXAS 98741
Title: 19 TAC 1.7.A.7.3
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Adopted 02/2006 |
P-12 |
Addresses certificates for career and technology education. Requires experience and preparation in a skill area and languages other than english. Provides for the issuance of new categories of classroom teaching certificates beginning on September 1, 2005.Similar section (19 TAC 7.233.233.4) affects mathematics/physical science/engineering and chemistry.
Title: 19 TAC 7.233.233.3, .8, .10, .12, .14, .15
Source: Lexis-Nexis |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Adopted 01/2006 |
P-12 |
Establishes a prorated schedule of CPE hours that may be used byeducators seeking to renew multiple classes of standard certificates issued with different effective dates during the same five year renewal cycle. Adds CPE requirements for holders of school librarian certificates and holders ofstandard certificates for supervisors, special education supervisors, vocational supervisors, visiting teachers, and special education visiting teachers. TEXAS 99093
Title: 19 TAC 7.232.B.232.850, .851
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
High School--College Readiness |
Issued 12/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
(Executive Order RP53) Orders the Education Agency and Higher Education Coordinating Board to cooperate in
enhancing college-readiness standards and programs for public schools; requires each agency to ensure all students are afforded information and opportunities for post-secondary education and training.
http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/exorders/rp53
Title: Executive Order 2
Source: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/ |
Standards |
Adopted 11/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends rules concerning the TEKS for mathematics. Establishes curriculum standards for elementary mathematics,
Kindergarten to Grade 5. Refines the elementary mathematics TEKS for 2006-2007 school year.
Title: 19 TAC 2.111.A.111.11 thru
111.17
Source: tea.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Issued 11/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires the Commissioner of Education to establish a performance-based pay grant program for educators. The program is to use federal funds and other funds made available for this purpose and is to award grants to campuses of no less than $100,000 for rewarding educators for improving student performance. At least 75% of any grant awarded must be dedicated to compensation for classroom teachers. Grants are to be awarded based on growth in campus-level student performance according to criteria established by the Commissioner. School districts must apply to the Texas Education Agency to receive awards under this program. The state department must set aside from funds made available for this purpose no less than $10,000,000 for grants to be awarded based on incremental growth in student performance at campuses with high numbers of economically disadvantaged students.
http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/exorders/rp51
Title: Executive Order RP51
Source: http://www.governor.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Measures/Indicators |
Adopted 09/2005 |
P-12 |
From background information: Proposed amendment to 19 TAC §97.1001 would describe the state accountability rating system and adopt excerpts of the 2005 Accountability Manual, dated June 2005, into rule. The excerpts, Chapters 2-6, 9, 11-13, 16, and 17 of the 2005 Accountability Manual, specify the indicators, standards, and procedures used by the commissioner of education to determine accountability ratings, both standard and alternative education accountability (AEA), for districts, campuses, and charter schools. These chapters also specify indicators, standards, and procedures used to determine Gold Performance Acknowledgment (GPA) on additional indicators for Texas public school districts and campuses. Also specified in Chapters 2-6, 9, 11-13, 16, and 17 of the 2005 Accountability Manual are procedures for submitting an appeal. The TEA will issue accountability ratings under the procedures specified in the 2005 Accountability Manual in August 2005. Ratings may be revised as a result of investigative activities by the commissioner as authorized under TEC, §39.074 and §39.075. The title of §97.1001 would also change from "Annual Accountability Standards" to "Accountability Rating System."
In 2005, campuses and districts will be evaluated using four base indicators: Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) results, completion rates, annual dropout rates, and student performance on the State Developed Alternative Assessment (SDAA) II. In 2005, the GPA system will award acknowledgment on 13 separate indicators to districts and campuses rated Academically Acceptable or higher: Attendance Rate for Grades 1-12; Advanced Academic Course Completion; Advanced Placement/ International Baccalaureate Examination Results; College Admissions Test Results; Commended Performance on Reading/English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Writing, Science and/or Social Studies; TAAS/TASP Equivalency; Recommended High School Program Participation; and Comparable Improvement on Reading/ELA and Mathematics.Amends rules concerning institutional reports. Accommodates the accountability system reports that will be presented to the Board at its January meeting. Changes the submission date to November 15.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/proposed/0805/97-1001a-ltrprop.html
Title: 19 TAC 1.17.K.17.101
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Measures/Indicators |
Adopted 09/2005 |
P-12 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: Legal counsel with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has recommended that the procedures for issuing accountability ratings for public school districts and campuses be adopted as part of the Texas Administrative Code. This decision was made in 2000 given a court decision challenging state agency decision making via administrative letter/publications. Given the statewide application of the accountability rating process and the existence of sufficient statutory authority for the commissioner of education to formally adopt rules in this area, portions of each annual accountability manual have been adopted since 2000. The accountability system evolves from year to year so the criteria and standards for rating and acknowledging schools in the most current year differ to some degree over those applied in the prior year. The intention is to annually update 19 TAC §97.1001 to refer to the most recently published accountability manual.
The proposed amendment to 19 TAC §97.1001 would describe the state accountability rating system and adopt excerpts of the 2005 Accountability Manual, dated June 2005, into rule. The excerpts, Chapters 2-6, 9, 11-13, 16, and 17 of the 2005 Accountability Manual, specify the indicators, standards, and procedures used by the commissioner of education to determine accountability ratings, both standard and alternative education accountability (AEA), for districts, campuses, and charter schools. These chapters also specify indicators, standards, and procedures used to determine Gold Performance Acknowledgment (GPA) on additional indicators for Texas public school districts and campuses. Also specified in Chapters 2-6, 9, 11-13, 16, and 17 of the 2005 Accountability Manual are procedures for submitting an appeal. The TEA will issue accountability ratings under the procedures specified in the 2005 Accountability Manual in August 2005. Ratings may be revised as a result of investigative activities by the commissioner as authorized under TEC, §39.074 and §39.075. The title of §97.1001 would also change from "Annual Accountability Standards" to "Accountability Rating System."
In 2005, campuses and districts will be evaluated using four base indicators: Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) results, completion rates, annual dropout rates, and student performance on the State Developed Alternative Assessment (SDAA) II. In 2005, the GPA system will award acknowledgment on 13 separate indicators to districts and campuses rated Academically Acceptable or higher: Attendance Rate for Grades 1-12; Advanced Academic Course Completion; Advanced Placement/ International Baccalaureate Examination Results; College Admissions Test Results; Commended Performance on Reading/English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Writing, Science and/or Social Studies; TAAS/TASP Equivalency; Recommended High School Program Participation; and Comparable Improvement on Reading/ELA and Mathematics.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/proposed/0805/97-1001a-ltrprop.html
Title: 19 TAC §97.1001
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/ |
Accountability--Measures/Indicators |
Adopted 09/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends rules regarding the annual accountability standards. Describes the state accountability rating system for districts, campuses, and charter schools, and adopts applicable excerpts of the 2005 Accountability Manual, dated June 2005. TEXAS REG 97908 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 2.97.AA.97.1001
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Adopted 09/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes new rules regarding an emergency certificate for the 2005-2006 school year for educators serving in public schools affected by Hurricane Katrina. Provides for issuance of a nonrenewable certificate for the 2005-2006 school year for educators serving in public schools affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Title: 19 TAC 7.230.O.230.465
Source: StateNet |
Finance--District |
Issued 08/2005 |
P-12 |
Directs the commissioner of education to create and implement a comprehensive financial accountability and reporting system to ensure transparency and fiscal efficiency in school district operations. The financial accountability and reporting system must include an indicator establishing a requirement that 65% of school district funds be expended for instructional purposes as defined by the National Center for Education Statistics. The system will include indicators of school district efficiency, including the use of shared-services agreements and consolidation of administrative functions, as well as a requirement for clear and concise accounting of school district expenditures.
Investigations and Actions. The commissioner will conduct special accreditation investigations of school districts exhibiting poor financial management and may take appropriate action under Subchapter G, Chapter 39, Texas Education Code; or lower a school district's accreditation rating as deemed appropriate by the commissioner; or both.
http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/exorders/rp47
Title: Executive Order RP47
Source: http://www.governor.state.tx.us |
High School--Early Colleges/Middle Colleges |
Adopted 08/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
New rules concerning Early College High Schools (ECHS). Provides appropriate oversight by the Board of ECHS by requiring notification of intent to develop an ECHS entity, assessment of students, appropriate faculty selection, supervision, and evaluation, oversight of curricula, transcripting of credit, program evaluation, funding, and removal of dual credit restrictions. http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Rules/Tac3.cfm?Chapter_ID=4&Subchapter=G&Print=1
Title: 19 TAC 1.4.G.4.151 thru .161
Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Rules |
Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals |
Emergency Rule Adoption 08/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends rules concerning the Educational Aide Exemption Program. Allows students who have met the requirement of employment as an educational aide one of the past five years who are applying for their first exemptions to continue to pursue their teaching credentials. TEXAS REG 97907 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 1.21.II.21.1083
Source: StateNet |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: Under current law, public schools and school districts are given annual performance ratings by the Texas Education Agency. The four levels of performance are "exemplary", "recognized", "academically acceptable" or "academically unacceptable." Although these ratings are meant to provide information about the quality and performance of public schools, many people are unaware they exist. This information is important to Texas families seeking a superior education for their children. House Bill 3297 requires a school district to distribute the latest performance rating of each school campus with a student's first grade report. It also requires a school district that maintains an Internet website, to make available to the public information contained in the most recent campus report cards and district performance report with a definition and explanation of that information. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=03297&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 3297
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school that specializes in one or more performing arts to require an applicant to audition for admission to the school. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01111&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1111
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Contingent on funding, requires state board to establish and implement a financial literacy pilot program to provide students in participating school districts with the knowledge and skills necessary as self-supporting adults to make critical decisions relating to personal financial matters. Requires the agency shall collaborate with the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner and the State Securities Board to develop the curriculum and instructional materials for the program. The curriculum and instructional materials must include information about: (1) avoiding and eliminating credit card debt; (2) understanding the rights and responsibilities of renting or buying a home; (3) managing money to make the transition from renting a home to home ownership; (4) starting a small business; (5) being a prudent investor in the stock market and using other investment options; (6) beginning a savings program; (7) bankruptcy; (8) the types of bank accounts available to consumers
and the benefits of maintaining a bank account; (9) balancing a check book; and (10) the types of loans available to consumers and becoming a low-risk borrower.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/79R/billtext/SB00851F.HTM
Title: S.B. 851
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Demographics--Enrollments |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Makes it a Class C Misdemeanor penalty for tampering with a governmental record establishing residency for enrollment in a public school. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00126&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 126
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
From bill analysis: Gives nursing schools the tools to address the nursing shortage. This bills sets statewide goals for increasing the number of initial RN graduates, developing strategies for increasing graduation rates from nursing programs, and promoting innovation in nursing education through the regionalization of common administrative and instructional functions, interdisciplinary instruction, pooled or shared faculty, and new clinical instruction models to maximize use of existing resources and faculty. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00132&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 132
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
SENT TO THE GOVERNOR 06/2005 |
P-12,
Community College |
From bill analysis: This bill amends the Development Corporation Act of 1979 (the Act) to allow industrial development corporations to undertake projects required or suitable for career centers. Under current law, an industrial development corporation (corporation) can lease authorized projects to a nonexempt entity and that project is exempt from ad valorem, sales and use taxes or any other taxes levied or imposed by this state or any political subdivision of the state. Since the bill would expand the types of authorized projects to include certain educational facilities at a higher education institution, it could impact the amount of taxable property values and the related ad valorem taxes as well as other taxes.
Section 403.302 of the Government Code requires the Comptroller to conduct a property value study to determine the total taxable value for each school district. Total taxable value is an element in the state's school funding formula. Passage of this bill could cause a change in the school district taxable values reported to the Commissioner of Education by the Comptroller and a change in state costs to the Foundation School Fund.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01253&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1253
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
SENT TO THE GOVERNOR 06/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
From fiscal note: The bill creates the Texas Emerging Technology Fund as a dedicated account in the general revenue fund. Requires that 50 percent of the money appropriated to the Texas Emerging Technology Fund be used for incentives for private or nonprofit entities to collaborate with public or private institutions of higher education on emerging technology projects.
The bill requires that 25 percent of the money appropriated to the Texas Emerging Technology Fund be used to match funding from research sponsors. The bill requires that 25 percent of the money appropriated to the Texas Emerging Technology Fund be used to acquire new or enhance existing research superiority at public institutions of higher education. The bill provides that the governor may reallocate money from one component of the fund to another component with prior approval of the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of representatives.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01765&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1765
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Relating to allowing designated public school libraries to participate in group purchasing agreements with the TexShare Library Consortium.
Title: S.B. 483
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Repeals the Public School Facilities Funding Act. From analysis: School Facilities Act was established in 1989 to be administered by the Bond Review Board. The board was authorized to issue bonds and place the proceeds in the public school facilities fund. The original intent of the legislation was to address concerns over the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) arbitrage rules fearing the Permanent School Fund (PSF) would no longer be allowed to guarantee school district bonds. Therefore, the state was given the ability to issue bonds to buy school district bonds thereby conferring the state's credit rating on the transaction. The 1990 IRS ruling alleviated all fears therefore the legislation has not been used. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01106&VERSION=3&TYPE=A
Title: H.B. 1106
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ |
Finance--Facilities |
Vetoed 06/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
From bill analysis: Consolidates alternate project delivery processes into a single chapter of the Government Code. This is similar to the legal approach to procurement of professional services, under which the same process applies to all governmental entities procuring services.
Expands the types of entities that may use these procedures to include hospital districts, transit authorities, and others. Allows construction manager-at-risk and competitive sealed proposals for construction services to be used for all types of projects including water, wastewater, transportation, utilities and other improvements to real property. Significantly expands the tools that governmental entities (including education entitites) have at their disposal to expedite projects.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02525&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 2525
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Current state law does not permit military officers to serve on the school boards of military reservation school districts, which is inconsistent with federal policy. S.B. 144 amends the Texas Education Code to authorize the state board to appoint military officers to the board of trustees of a military reservation school district.
Title: S.B. 144
Source: StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
The bill adds Chapter 168, Health and Safety Code to establish provisions relating to the care of public school elementary and secondary school students with diabetes. Requires an individualized health care plan for any student who will seek care for diabetes while at school or participating in a school activity. The individual health plan is to be developed by the school principal, school nurse, the student's parent or guardian, and to the extent possible the student's physician and one or more of their teachers.
At each campus attended by one or more students with diabetes, the bill requires a school principal to ensure that there is at least one school employee trained as an unlicensed diabetes care assistant (UDCA) if there is a full-time school nurse employed at the campus and three personnel trained as UDCAs if a nurse is not assigned to the school. Training is required for these individuals and would be conducted prior to the beginning of the school year or as soon as practicable upon enrollment or diagnosis of a student with diabetes. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00984&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 984
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires the University Interscholastic League (UIL) to develop an educational program for students engaged in extracurricular athletic activities by September 1, 2005. Requires UIL to commission a survey during the 2005-06 school year to gather data on illegal steroid use among high school students. Requries UIL to contract with a third party to conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of the educational steroid program and to plan for future implementation of a random mandatory steroid test. This information must be included in a report submitted to the legislature not later than December 1, 2006. Requires the Texas Education Agency in conjunction with the Department of State Health Services to develop informational material on the legal and health ramifications of anabolic steroids and distribute the information to school districts. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=03563&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 3563
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: This Act allows for the expansion of physical activity requirements to middle and junior high schools, up to the eighth grade; encourages the use of nationally recognized health and physical education guidelines; directs the reporting of information on physical activity, School Health Advisory Councils, and compliance with guidelines on vending machines, food service, and tobacco products; directs coordinated health programs approved by the Texas Education Agency to comply with the Department of Agriculture guidelines on foods of minimal nutritional value; and reinstates the School Health Advisory Committee. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00042&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 42
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
High School--Advanced Placement |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows the commissioner to develop a standard method of computing a student's high school grade point average that provides for additional weight to be given to each honors course, advanced placement course, international baccalaureate course, or dual credit course completed by a student. If the commissioner develops a standard method under this section, a school district shall use the standard method to compute a student's high school grade point average, and the student's grade point average computed in that manner shall be used in determining the student's eligibility for automatic college admission. Requires each institution of higher education that offers freshman-level courses to adopt and implement a policy to grant undergraduate course credit to entering freshman students who have successfully completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, who have achieved required scores on one or more examinations in the Advanced Placement Program or the College-Level Examination Program, or who have successfully completed one or more courses offered through concurrent enrollment in high school and at an institution of higher education. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00111&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 111
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
From bill analysis: S.B. 1452 establishes the Texas Academy for Mathematics and Science Studies (academy) at The University of Texas at Brownville (UT-Brownsville) to provide high school students with the opportunity to pursue mathematics education. Students who enroll at the academy will have the benefit of completing high school and their core college requirements while enrolled at UT-Brownsville. They also will be able to take a variety of courses in mathematics, science, and technology studies, become involved in community service, and take advantage of the many cultural opportunities in Brownsville. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01452&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 1452
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
From bill analysis: According to Closing the Gaps by 2015: 2004 Progress Report, participation in higher education among Hispanics is lagging behind that of other demographic groups. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) estimated that Texas must increase Hispanic college enrollment by an additional 48,041 students to reach the 2005 target for that group. In addition, the percentage of recent high school graduates who enter college is not increasing, suggesting a need to enhance efforts to encourage them to prepare for and succeed in college. Dual-credit programs, which allow high school juniors and seniors to take college-level courses while earning both college and high school credit, have been successful in encouraging high school students to enroll in college, according to the THECB. S.B. 151 establishes a pilot project to encourage at-risk students to participate in dual-credit programs. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00151&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 151
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress |
Adopted 06/2005 |
P-12 |
New rules regarding adequately yearly progress (AYP). Describes the procedures for determining AYP and adopts applicable excerpts, Sections II-IV of the 2004 Adequate Yearly Progress Guide, dated September 2004. TEXAS REG 97449 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 2.97.AA.97.1004
Source: StateNet |
P-16 or P-20 |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Adds requirement that the P-16 council examine and make recommendations regarding the alignment of secondary and postsecondary education curricula and testing and assessment. Council also is to advise the board and the state board of education on the coordination of postsecondary career and technology activities, career and technology teacher education programs offered or proposed to be offered. Council is to review existing school district programs that provide high school students with the opportunity to enroll in advanced academic courses offered through dual credit and concurrent enrollment programs, including reviewing courses currently approved by districts and offered by institutions of higher education for dual and concurrent enrollment credit. It is also to review the high school curriculum required for the recommended high school program and study the feasibility of offering a revised curriculum that would provide graduating high school students with at least 12 hours of advanced academic courses or college-level coursework offered through dual credit and concurrent enrollment programs provided under agreements between high schools and institutions of higher education; and to report.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02806&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 2808
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
P-16 or P-20 |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Expands the early college education program to allow participants in grades 9 and 10 to participate in an early college education program and to provide at-risk and other students accelerated high school graduation and college credit. From analysis: The 78th Texas Legislature created a Middle College Education Pilot Program, which was designed to test the effectiveness of a combined high school/college program in Texas as part of the Texas High School Project. Based on the success of this program and other similar programs around the country, S.B. 1146 permanently establishes this type of program in Texas. The Early College Education Program will allow at-risk students from grades 9 through 12 to simultaneously complete high school, and either an associate's degree or 60 hours of college credit. The program will provide students with the services they need to overcome educational obstacles and succeed after graduation. The program will also use the lessons learned through the pilot program to improve the articulation agreements between school districts and institutions of higher education, and to involve the P-16 Council throughout the project.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01146&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 1146
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
P-3 Preschool |
EFFECTIVE ON 9/1/05 06/2005 |
P-12 |
From fiscal note: The bill authorizes the commissioner of education to establish a program to provide incentives to providers of early childhood care and education that provide coordinated services with prekindergarten and Head Start programs. The bill does not specify the type of incentive. If financial incentives are provided, annual costs of an estimated $1.0 million could be incurred. The bill requires the State Center for Early Childhood Development and the P-16 Council to develop and adopt a voluntary school readiness certification system by September 1, 2006. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00023&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 23
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Postsec. |
From bill analysis: Requires the president of each general academic teaching institution to annually provide, no later than November 1 of each year, to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board a report describing the institution's efforts regarding timely graduation of undergraduate students. Reduces the undergraduate funding cap and allows universities to charge non-resident tuition to students who exceed the funding cap. The current funding cap is 45 semester credit hours (SCH) above the degree requirement; the new funding cap would be 30 hours. The bill also directs the degree length to include minors, double majors, certificates, special programs, and study-abroad programs. The bill only applies to those students who initially enroll as an undergraduate student in the Fall 2006. Creates a work-study student mentorship program at certain institutions of higher education. Changes the requirements regarding satisfactory academic progress after the initial academic year, requires a student to complete at least 24 semester credit hours in the student's most recent academic year and earn an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 on a four-point scale in all previously attempted coursework at the institution for continued TEXAS grant eligibility. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01172&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1172
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Postsec. |
From bill analysis: Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to create a pilot project under which a governing board of an institution participating in the pilot project may enter into a contract with a student to award the student an incentive provided that the student graduates in a timely manner and meets other requirements established by the institution under the contract. Provides that a student is not required to enter into the contract. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00030&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 30
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Adds Sec. 61.3021. Requires Texas Higher education Coordinating Board (board) by rule to establish a process for reviewing and approving a degree conferred by a person described by Section 61.302(11)(B) or (C). Requires the review process to include a determination by the board whether the degree is the equivalent of a degree granted by a private postsecondary educational institution or other person in accordance with the person's accreditation by a recognized accrediting agency or with the person's certificate of authority. Authorizes the board to charge an applicant for review. Requires the board, to protect the public from private postsecondary educational institutions or other persons that confer or offer to confer fraudulent or substandard degrees and from persons that use or hold fraudulent or substandard degrees or that use or claim to hold fictitious degrees, to disseminate certain information through the board's Internet website. Defines "fraudulent or substandard degree." http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01173&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1173
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
From bill analysis: The requirements of the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program (scholarship program) as stated prior to 2003 provided that a student who completed high school in not more than 36 consecutive months was eligible for a scholarship in state tuition credits. But in 2003, the 78th Legislature added a requirement establishing that students who graduate early must graduate with the recommended or advanced high school curriculum in order to receive a scholarship under this scholarship program. The Act passed by the 78th Legislature failed to address the issue of students currently enrolled in the scholarship program, thereby leaving many students without the scholarship as promised. H.B. 2109 re-establishes the eligibility of students admitted under the previous scholarship program who lost eligibility when the legislature changed the requirements of the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02109&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 2109
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Postsec. |
From bill analysis: S.B. 1227 makes an array of amendments to the Education Code to promote access to institutions of higher education, allow for financial aid administrative savings, and make clarifying changes. Amendments to Section 56.202 create the Early High School Graduation Scholarship program to increase efficiency in the Foundation School Program and to provide assistance for tuition or tuition and mandatory fees. Amendments to Section 56.203, Education Code do the following:
(a) Provide that to be eligible for an award through the Early High School Graduation Scholarship program, a person must have graduated from high school and meet certain requirements; have attended high school exclusively in one or more public high schools in the state; and be a Texas resident as defined by coordinating board rule.
(b) Provide that the eligibility for the Early High School Graduation Scholarship program for a person depends on the sixth anniversary of the date that the person first becomes eligible to participate in the program, unless the person is provided additional time to participate in the program.
(c) Provide that the coordinating board must adopt rules to provide a person who is otherwise eligible to participate in the Early High School Graduation Scholarship program additional time to use a state credit for tuition and mandatory fees under the program. Provides that the rules must require a person seeking an extension to show hardship or other good cause that prevents the person from enrolling in or continuing enrollment in an eligible institution during the period provided.
(d) Provides that a person who does not satisfy the curriculum requirements for the recommended or advanced high school program as required to establish eligibility is considered to have satisfied those requirements if the high school from which the person graduated indicates on the person's transcript that the person was unable to complete the appropriate curriculum within the time prescribed by that subsection solely because of a reason beyond the person's control, such as lack of enrollment capacity or a shortage of qualified teachers.
The heading to Section 56.204, Education Code, is amended to modify the heading to read "ENTITLEMENT." An eligible person under the
Early High School Graduation Scholarship program is entitled to a state credit to apply toward tuition or tuition and mandatory fees, as applicable, at a public or private institution of higher education in Texas.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01227&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 1227
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Postsec. |
From bill analysis: S.B. 1528 clarifies the in-state tuition residency requirements by tying them to the census residency regulations and eligibility for classification as a dependent based on federal income tax reports. This keeps in place the system for allowing students to classify their eligibility on long-term residency and high school graduation. Streamlines the process for determining resident and non-resident tuition and make it consistent throughout the state. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01528&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 1528
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Allows the governing board of a public junior college district to charge a student a higher rate of tuition than the tuition that would otherwise be charged for a course in which the student enrolls if: (1) the student has previously enrolled in the same course or a course of substantially the same content and level two or more times; and (2) the student's enrollment in the course is not included in the contact hours used to determine the junior college's proportionate share of state appropriations. From the Fiscal Note: The Higher Education Coordinating Board estimates community and technical colleges will generate an additional $4,191,059 in tuition revenue. The Coordinating Board calculated the tuition increase by multiplying 1,074,049 (the base period contact hours) X $5.32 (the average funding rates for the various disciplines during the 2004-05 biennium) X 73.35% (aggregate percent for community colleges paid by the state). http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00994&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 994
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Currently, the failure of a junior district board member to attend board meetings is not a ground to initiate the process for removal from office. S.B. 114 amends the Education Code to provide that unexcused absences from more than half of the regularly scheduled board meetings of a junior college district board of trustees which the member is eligible to attend during a calendar year constitutes a ground for removal. This bill allows for absences excused by a majority vote of the board. S.B. 114 ensures that a trustee will be provided due process.
Title: S.B. 114
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Postsec. |
Requires the owners or administrators and admissions personnel of private career schools and colleges to meet the minimum qualifications and training requirements established by Texas Workforce Commission (commission) rule. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02333&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 2333
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
From bill analysis: Modernizes the language and consumer protection intent of the Proprietary School Act, which has not been updated in 33 years, to better serve career school students. These changes will align terms and processes with national accreditation and federal regulation currently being used by the career schools and colleges in all parts of Texas. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02806&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 2806
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02806&VERSION=5&TYPE=B |
Reading/Literacy |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Intensive Reading and Language Intervention Pilot Program. From bill analysis: Over the past decade many instructional aids have been developed to enhance the reading ability of a student. Campuses across the state are using some of these materials to augment the TEKS (Texas Assessment Knowledge and Skills) curricula. H.B. 3468 allows the commissioner of education to develop pilot programs implementing accelerated learning curricula aids. H.B. 3468 does not implement a new type of curriculum but augments the existing TEKS with instructional tools. Adds Section 29.094. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=03468&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 3468
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: Prohibits University Interscholastic League (UIL) area, regional, or state competitions from being held the week of, or prior to, TAKS testing. It also requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide UIL a calendar of expected testing dates of testing three years in advance to allow sufficient time to negotiate contracts and prohibits schools from obtaining a waiver from TEA. CSSB 658 gives the commissioner discretion to cancel testing dates and reschedule the tests in the event of extreme emergencies and allow for rules to be developed regarding UIL rescheduling. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00658&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 658
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Adds a new section: Sec. 25.0341 and amends several other sections. Defines "bullying. Requires, on the request of a parent or other person with authority to act on behalf of a student who is a victim of bullying, the board or its designee to transfer the student to certain other educational settings. Requires the board or its designee to verify that a student has been a victim of bullying before transferring the student. Authorizes the board to consider past student behavior when identifying a bully. Provides that the determination by the board or its designee is final and is prohibited from being appealed. Provides that a school district is not required to provide transportation to a student who transfers to another campus. (g) Provides that Section 25.034 does not apply to a transfer under this section. Prohibits bullying, harassment, and making hit lists and requires districts to ensure that district employees enforce those prohibitions. Defines "harassment" and "hit list" (hit list: "Hit list" means a list of people targeted to be harmed, using: (A) a firearm, as defined by Section 46.01(3), Penal Code; (B) a knife, as defined by Section 46.01(7), Penal Code; or (C) any other object to be used with intent to cause bodily harm. Requires certain methods for management and discipline to provide that a student who is enrolled in a special education program is prohibited from being disciplined for certain prohibited conduct until an admission, review, and dismissal committee meeting has been held to review the conduct. Requires a discipline management program to provide for prevention of and education concerning unwanted physical or verbal aggression, sexual harassment, and other forms of bullying in school, on school grounds, and in school vehicles. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00283&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 283
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
From analysis: Current Texas law does not contain a provision which prevents a student convicted of sexual assault from reenrolling in the same school as the victim. Once a person who is convicted of sexual assault has served the sentence, the student can go back to the same school as the victim. School districts are not obligated to notify the victim or the parents of a violator's enrollment. H.B. 308 ensures that a student convicted of sexual assault is not allowed to enroll in the same school as the offender's victim. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00308&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 308
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
A major portion of this law requires that by March 1, 2006, each school district in Texas must adopt and implement a multi-hazard Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) that addresses preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery steps in case of an emergency. Requires all employees of the district to be trained; requires that mandatory school drills be conducted on each campus; requires that measures insuring coordination with emergency first responders be in place and that a security audit is implemented, recorded and reported every three years.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00011&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 11
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
SENT TO THE GOVERNOR 06/2005 |
P-12 |
From fiscal note: Establishes a clean school bus program within the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) program operated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Provides for up to 4 percent of the 87.5 percent of TERP Account No. 5071 funds currently used for diesel emissions reduction incentive grants to be used for grants for the clean school bus program. The bill provides that money be allocated to the clean school bus program only if the money is available after being used to achieve emissions reductions objectives in the state implementation plan (SIP) for air quality or if revenues to the TERP Accoutn No. 5071 are received in excess of the Comptroller's Biennial Revenue Estimate. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=03469&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 3469
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Special Populations--Corrections Education |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12,
Community College |
Goal is to ensure that programs such as GED and ESL are integrated with an applied vocational context leading to employment. Improves coordination between partner agencies so ex-offenders receive professional certification and licensing along with educational opportunities in an applied vocational context; agencies include the Texas Youth Commission (TYC), Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) which, through Project RIO, share data seamlessly on ex-offenders and their post-release employment status; and the effectiveness of training services is evaluated and reported annually to the governor and the Legislative Budget. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02837&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 2837
Source: StateNet |
State Longitudinal Data Systems |
Adopted 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends rules concerning the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS). Defines the standards by which school districts and charter school are to submit required information. Specifies the review process when data elements are added, deleted, or modified, providing consistency in updates to the PEIMS standards. Clarifies the description of the TEA's data collection and reporting systems. Provides the additional flexibility needed to determine the best methods to collect and report data to meet state and federal statutory requirements. TEXAS REG 97447 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 2.61.BB.61.1025
Source: StateNet |
Accountability |
Rule Adoption 05/2005 |
P-12 |
Proposes rules concerning accountability and performance monitoring. Describes the Performance- Based Monitoring Analysis System (PBNAS). Adopts applicable excerpts of the PBMAS 2004-2005 Manual. TEXAS REG 97354 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 2.97.AA.97.1005
Source: StateNet |
Attendance |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
Postsec. |
From bill analysis: Requires an institution of higher education to excuse a student from attending classes or engaging in other required activities, including examinations, in order for the student to participate in active military service to which the student is called. Requires the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules to establish the maximum period for which a student may be excused under this section. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01630&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1630
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12,
Community College |
From bill analysis:
The Texas Tech-Prep Program was enacted in 1999 to allow high school students to begin a college technical
major while still attending high school. Texas' Tech-Prep law emphasizes the important role played by Texas'
business community, in partnership with secondary and post-secondary educational leaders, and provides for
cost-effective statewide administration of the federally funded program through a statewide network of
regional consortia.
S.B. 1809 clarifies the original intent of current state law regarding operation of tech-prep in Texas and
provides for a statewide evaluation of tech-prep consortia. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01809&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 1809
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends Sec. 28.0021. Requires instruction in personal financial literacy in one or more courses required for high school graduation. Requires districts and open-enrollment charter schools to incorporate instruction in personal financial literacy into any course meeting a requirement for an economics credit, using materials approved by the board. Requires districts and open-enrollment charter schools to comply beginning with the 2006-2007 school year. Requires the board to adopt essential knowledge and skills for a course not later than the 2008-2009 school year. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00492&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 492
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
High School |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: Permits Job Corps Centers to offer a specialized high school diploma program to students enrolled in the federal program, in order to provide at-risk students with the opportunity to earn a high school diploma (upon passage of the exit-level statewide assessment) which will increase their opportunities for success in the job market. S.B. 1395 also provides for the funding of the program. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01395&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 1395
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
Postsec. |
From bill analysis: Currently there are over 400 reporting requirements for institutions of higher education. By consolidating the scope of reporting, the university systems and their component institutions would be able to utilize the millions of dollars spent on these reports in a more efficient and effective manner. S.B. 1226 directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in conjunction with the Legislative Budget Board, to study the reporting requirements for institutions of higher education. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01226&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 1226
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
Postsec. |
An institution of higher education shall consider, in determining whether to award to a student course credit toward a
degree offered by the institution for the student's completion of certain military training: (1) any official military record presented to the
institution by the student that: (A) describes the substance of the training completed by the student; and (B) verifies the student's successful completion of that training; and (2) whether the substance of that training satisfies the purpose of the course for which the student seeks credit as described in the institution's course catalog.
Title: H.B. 1170
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Expands use of common application form to community colleges. From bill analysis: The Common Application Advisory Committee, convened by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board), has successfully created and launched a common admissions application that is accepted by all public universities. Through this single form, a student may apply to up to six different universities, rather than complete unique applications for each institution. The form has significantly simplified the admission application process for Texas students. Although the process of applying for admission to public universities has been greatly simplified through the development of the statewide common application, the majority of students enrolling during the next two decades are expected to begin their studies at community colleges. Currently, each of those institutions has its own unique form. S.B. 502 requires the board to collaborate with community college representatives to develop a common application form for junior college districts, public state colleges, and public technical institutes.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00502&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 502
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Participation--Affirmative Action |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
Postsec. |
From bill analysis: Enables the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to better monitor universities' minority outreach efforts by requiring universities and colleges to provide information on their efforts/strategies to increase minority enrollment. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00302&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 302
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
District student codes of conduct are required to specify whether consideration is given, as a factor in a decision to order suspension,
removal to a disciplinary alternative education program, or expulsion, to: (A) self-defense; (B) intent or lack of intent at the time the
student engaged in the conduct; (C) a student's disciplinary history; or (D) a disability that substantially impairs the student's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the student's conduct. Students may not be returned to classrooms without the teacher's consent. Provides that, except as provided by Section 37.007(e) (Expulsion for Serious Offenses), this subchapter does not require the student code of conduct to specify a minimum term of a removal or an expulsion.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00603&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 603
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
Postsec. |
Requires hazing statutes to apply to private institutions of higher education. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01791&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1791
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: Requires school districts to allow employees an opportunity to apply for an open position by posting notice of job vacancies for at least 10 school days in the following places: on a bulletin board, at a place convenient to the public in the district's central administrative office; on the district's Internet website if the district has a website; and by publishing the position in a newspaper of general circulation in the district. S.B. 387 also allows the district to fill the position in an emergency situation. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00387&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 387
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
From bill analysis: SB 493 states that at least once each even-numbered year the commissioner of education is required to review and, to the extent possible, reduce written reports and other paperwork required of a school district by the agency. The commissioner is to adopt a policy that limits written reports and other paperwork that a principal or classroom teacher may be required by the agency to complete. Additionally, the Education Code is amended in that the commissioner may authorize special accreditation investigations to be conducted in response to repeated complaints submitted to the TEA concerning imposition of excessive paperwork requirements on classroom teachers. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00493&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 493
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Allows the establishment of a dual usage educational complex by a junior college district and other political subdivisions or institutions of higher education. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01737&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1737
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
From analysis: H.B. 25 requires school districts to transfer student records within 10 days of a request being received from the new district (decreased from 30 days), directs districts to help ease student transition during the first two weeks at a new school, encourages districts help new students gain access to extracurricular activities, encourages districts to partner with local military bases on this issue, and instructs districts to assist military dependents in this situation in applying to post-secondary education and in applying for financial aid.
In addition, H.B. 25 directs the TEA to take steps to assist students who must transfer into a Texas school during the second semester of their senior year in high school. If a student in this category is also coming from out of state for the first time, or has not attended a Texas school in four years, then the commissioner of education is directed to establish and use an alternate performance criteria for graduation from high school for those students. This will enable qualified military dependent students to graduate from high school on time.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00025&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 25
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Assessment |
Adopted 03/2005 |
P-12 |
The adopted amendments update and revise the rules to align with current statute (3-10 testing rather than 3-8). http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/board/adopted/0305/101-005-two.pdf
Title: §101.5
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us |
Assessment--High Stakes/Competency |
Rule Adoption 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends rules concerning exemption from the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative. Exempts high school students who achieve certain standards on the Mathematics and/or English/Language Arts sections of the exit-level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills from state mandated testing for college readiness for the corresponding sections. Allows students who achieve certain standards on certain sections of the SAT and ACT to be exempt from the assessment required under this title for those corresponding sections. TEXAS REG 95579 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 1.4.C.4.54
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Rule Adoption 05/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends rules concerning the foundation school program. Relates to rules for the definition of tax and levy and tax collection. TEXAS REG 95053 (SN) http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tacupdates/may2004/ch062.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 105.A.105.1
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules |
Health--Nutrition |
Adopted 05/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) shall make available to each school district one or more coordinated school health programs
designed to prevent obesity, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes in elementary school students. Each program must provide for coordinating. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tacupdates/may2004/ch102cc.pdf
Title: §102.1031. Criteria for Evaluating Coordinated Health Programs for Elementary School Students.
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Rule Adoption 05/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends rules concerning student eligibility requirements for dual credit courses. Updates appropriate college readiness assessment requirements for dual credit courses. TEXAS REG 94949 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 19.1.4.D.4.85
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Evaluation and Effectiveness |
Rule Adoption 04/2004 |
P-12 |
TEC, Chapter 21, was amended by HB 1440, 78th Texas Legislature, 2003, to modify §21.203(a) and §21.352(c). The modification to the law provides school districts with the option that a teacher may be appraised less frequently if the teacher agrees in writing and the teacher's most recent evaluation rated the teacher as at least proficient, or the equivalent, and did not identify any area of deficiency.
The adopted amendment to 19 TAC §153.1003 establishes the option of less frequent appraisals for eligible teachers. Highlights of the amendment include the following. Language is added in new subsection (l) to establish the provision for a teacher to be appraised less frequently, to describe specific criteria that may be included in local district policy related to this appraisal option, and to address teacher performance that would result in placing the teacher back on the traditional annual appraisal cycle. Language is also added to permit districts to annually review the written agreements with teachers that are appraised under this option.
Title: 19 TAC 153.1003
Source: TEA.STATE.TX.US |
Finance--Equity |
Adopted 03/2004 |
P-12 |
Sets administrative ratios for funding purposes; addresses "gap funding" to meet equalization requirements.
Title: 61.AA
Source: www.tea.state.us |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Rule Adoption 02/2004 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends rules regarding dual credit partnerships between secondary schools and Texas public collages. Adds an exception allowing dual credit students to mix with high school-only students in dual credit classes. TEXAS REG 94320 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 1.4.D.4.85
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Rule Adoption 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Repeals commissioner's rules concerning school district staff development. Concerns minimum staff development standards for school district personnel. TEXAS REG 94371 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 2.153.BB.153.1011
Source: StateNet |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Rule Adoption 12/2003 |
P-12 |
Repeals old rules and establishes rules relating to public school accountability. Each school district must be assigned an accountability rating by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The accountability rating of a school district is based primarily on its overall performance by all student
populations, on the district's current special education compliance status with the TEA, and on the performance of each of its campuses as demonstrated on state-adopted academic excellence indicators. The academic excellence indicators stipulated in law and the district's current special education compliance with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) are to be the main consideration of the TEA in the annual rating of districts and campuses. Requires the commissioner of education will take any necessary action to comply with all requirements of the No
Child Left Behind Act and other federal statutes and regulations. The commissioner of education may impose sanctions as authorized under the No Child Left Behind Act and other federal statutes and regulations in addition to those imposed under Texas Education Code, Chapter
39, Subchapter G. TEXAS REG 89925 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 2.97.A.97.1 thru 97.4
Source: StateNet |
High School |
Adopted 12/2003 |
P-12 |
§74.51. Amends high school graduation requirements. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tacupdates/december2003/ch074e.pdf
Title: Sec. 74.51
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us |
Assessment--High Stakes/Competency |
Rule Adoption 11/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends rules relating to basic education. Clarifies that commission youth are administered state educational assessments required to complete a high school diploma. TEXAS REG 90170 (SN)
Title: 37 TAC 3.91.B.91.41, 91.43
Source: StateNet |
High School |
Rule Adoption 11/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes new rules relating to curriculum requirements. Establishes graduation requirements for students entering Grade 9 beginning with the school year 2004-2005 and thereafter. TEXAS REG 89923 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 2.74.E.74.51 thru 74.54
Source: StateNet |
Accountability |
Signed into law 10/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
One portion of this bill transfers the performance review of school districts, interscholastic competition, state agencies and state agency records management to the Legislative Budget Board from the Comptroller of Public Accounts. All unexpended and unobligated appropriations and employees relating to the reviews will be transferred to the Legislative Budget Board. Further, the bill requires the
Legislative Budget Board to conduct periodic performance reviews of certain higher education institutions.
Link to fiscal note: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/data/docmodel/783/fiscal/pdf/HB00007F.PDF
Title: H.B. 7
Source: StateNet |
Attendance |
Rule Adoption 10/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends rules concerning student attendance accounting. Adopts by reference the 2003-2004 Student Attendance Accounting Handbook which provides student attendance accounting rules for school districts and charter schools. TEXAS REG 86427 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 129.1025
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Rule Adoption 10/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends rules concerning education, experience, educational programs, time periods, and types of license. TEXAS REG 89526 (SN)
Title: 22 TAC 535.61 thru .66
Source: StateNet |
Assessment--High Stakes/Competency |
Adopted 09/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board to determine the level of performance considered to be satisfactory on the assessment instruments. Sets the "commended" and "met" standards based on spring 2003 operational test forms. The adopted amendment to §101.23 incorporates into rule a table depicting the performance standards established by the board for every grade and subject area and maintains equivalent test forms in the future. Future forms will be equated by the Texas Education Agency to the 2003 assessments in order to ensure that equivalent standards are maintained. The exit-level standard in place when a student enters Grade 10 is the standard that will be maintained throughout the student's high school career. For example, a student in Grade 12 during the 2004-2005 school year will be allowed to graduate under the TAKS exit-level standard that was in place at the time the student entered Grade 10 in the 2002-2003 school year. The alternative assessment of academic skills will measure annual growth based on appropriate expectations for each student receiving special education services, as determined by the student's admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee. The adopted amendment to §101.33 revises language to reflect the statutory change requiring a reduction in the frequency of releasing assessments to the public to only every other year.
Title: 19TAC §101.23 & 101.33
Source: TEA.state.tx.us |
Assessment--High Stakes/Competency |
Rule Adoption 09/2003 |
P-12 |
§101.23. Performance Standards. (a) Except as otherwise provided by the Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 39, Subchapter B, the State Board of Education (SBOE) shall determine the level of performance considered to be satisfactory on the assessment instruments. The table in this subsection identifies the performance standards established by the SBOE for the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). The "commended" and "met" standards are based on spring 2003 operational test forms. Future forms will be equated by the Texas Education Agency to the 2003 assessments in order to ensure that equivalent standards are maintained. The exit-level standard in place when a student enters Grade 10 is the standard that will be maintained throughout the student's high school career. For example, a student in Grade 12 during the 2004-2005 school year will be allowed to graduate under the TAKS exit-level standard that was in place at the time the student entered Grade 10 in the 2002-2003 school year.
(b) The alternative assessment of academic skills will measure annual growth based on appropriate expectations for each student receiving special education services, as determined by the student's admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee in accordance with criteria established by the commissioner of education as required by the TEC, §39.024(a).Amends rules concerning development and administration of tests. Relates to performance standards and release of tests. TEXAS REG 86271 (SN) http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/board/adopted/0903/101-023a-two.html
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/board/adopted/0903/101-023a.pdf
Title: 19 TAC 101.23, .33
Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us |
Assessment |
Emergency Rule Adoption 07/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules to implement the Success Initiative. Provides purpose, authority, and definitions. Specifies exemptions and exceptions. Concerns assessment instruments, minimum passing standards, advisement and plan for academic success, and determination of readiness to perform freshman-level academic coursework. TEXAS REG 86368 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 4.51 thru .60
Source: StateNet |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Emergency Rule Adoption 07/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends rules regarding dual credit partnerships between secondary schools and Texas public colleges. Concerns dual credit requirements, student eligibility, and funding. TEXAS REG 86369 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 4.85
Source: StateNet |
Student Supports--Remediation |
Emergency Rule Adoption 07/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends rules regarding success initiative assessment requirement. Concerns general provisions. TEXAS REG 86372 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 12.22 thru .33, .35 thru .39
Source: StateNet |
Accountability--Measures/Indicators |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Currently, Texas law requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to adopt rules to evaluate the performance of schools using the academic excellence indicators adopted under Sections 39.051(b)(1) through (7), Education Code, including assessment instrument results; dropout, completion, and attendance rates; and SAT results. Additional criteria to be considered may include consideration of compliance with certain statutory and SBOE requirements and the effectiveness of the district's programs for special populations. S.B. 1820 adds the consideration of the effectiveness of the district's career and technology programs in the rules adopted by SBOE. (from Education Committee Report) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01820&VERSION=4&TYPE=A
Title: S.B. 1820
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the commissioner to develop a process for auditing school district dropout records electronically. The commissioner must also develop a system and standards for review of the audit or use systems already available at the agency. The system must be designed to identify districts that are at high risk of having inaccurate dropout records and that, as a result, require on-site monitoring of dropout records. If the electronic audit of a district's dropout records indicates that a district is not at high risk of having inaccurate dropout records, the district may not be subject to on-site monitoring under this subsection. If the risk-based system indicates that a district is at high risk of having inaccurate dropout records, the district is entitled to an opportunity to respond to the commissioner's determination before on-site monitoring may be conducted. The district must respond not later than the 30th day after the date the commissioner notifies the district of the commissioner's determination. If the district's response does not change the commissioner's determination that the district is at high risk of having inaccurate dropout records or if the district does not respond in a timely manner, the commissioner shall order agency staff to conduct on-site monitoring of the district's dropout records. Rules must ensure that the Public Education Information Management System links student performance data to other related information for purposes of efficient and effective allocation of scarce school resources, to the extent practicable. Allows the use of compensatory funds for at risk or drop-out prevention programs but requires oversight of those districts with potential mis-use of funds. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/billtext/SB00894F.HTM
Title: S.B. 894
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to computation and reporting of the ratios of a school district's expenditures and personnel relating to direct student instruction.
Title: S.B. 900
Source: StateNet |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the commissioner of education to reconstitute any campus rated as low performing for two consecutive years, removing closure
of the school program as one of the possible penalties. Provides that a special campus intervention team would decide which
educators to retain. Also requires the Texas Education Agency to report campus performance by August 1 each year and includes as a prerequisite to receive a public education grant or authorization to change schools within the district that the student is assigned to a public school campus that has been considered at any time to be low performing. The bill also provides for a board of managers, appointed by the commissioner of education, to take over the powers of the board of trustees of the district for a period of time. (Bill Analysis, House Committee) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00618&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 618
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Requires districts to analyze information related to dropout prevention. Sec. 29.908. MIDDLE COLLEGE EDUCATION PILOT PROGRAM requires: (a) The commissioner shall establish and administer a middle college education pilot program for students who are at risk of dropping out of school or who wish to accelerate high school completion. If a district has been rated as academically unacceptable for a period of two years or more due to the district's dropout rates, impose sanctions designed to improve high school completion rates, including: (A) ordering the development of a dropout prevention plan for approval by the commissioner; (B) restructuring the district or appropriate school campuses to improve identification of and service to students who are at risk of dropping out of school; (C) ordering lower student-to-counselor ratios on school campuses with high dropout rates; and (D) ordering the use of any other intervention strategy effective in reducing dropout rates, including mentor programs and flexible class scheduling. Also, Sec. 130.0012. PILOT PROJECT: BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS requires: (a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish a pilot project to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of authorizing public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs in the fields of applied science and applied technology. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/billtext/SB00976F.HTM
Title: S.B. 976
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Assessment |
to governor 06/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires state commissioner to develop, in coordination with appropriate representatives of institutions of higher education and school districts: (1) a diagnostic and assistance program for each subject assessed by an assessment instrument; and (2) other academic programs of mutual benefit to school districts and institutions of higher education. Requires the commissioner to seek private funding to make available and maintain on the Internet each diagnostic and assistance program. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/billtext/SB01108F.HTM
Title: S.B. 1108 (Section 29.910)
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Assessment--High Stakes/Competency |
to governor 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the principal or other staff to identify each student who (1) hasn't performed well on assessments; (2) is not likely to receive a diploma before the fifth year of high school and then develop a graduation plan for each student that (1) identifies educational goals; (2) includes diagnostic information, appropriate monitoring and intervention, etc.; (3) includes an intensive instruction program; (4) addresses participation of the parent or guardian; provides innovative mthods to promote the student's advancement, including flexible scheduling, alternative learning environments, on-line instruction, and other interventions that are proven to accelerate the learning process and have been scientifically validated to improve learning and cognitive ability. For a student with disabilities, this program must be designed to: (1) enable the student to attain a standard of annual growth on the basis of the student's individualized education program; and (2) if applicable, carry out the purposes of Section 28.0211.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/billtext/SB01108F.HTM
Title: S.B. 1108 (Section 28.0212)
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Vetoed 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Having high school dropout rates affects the Texas economy and decreases not only the state's future tax revenues but also its ability to attract new business. Some believe that Texas' method of reporting dropouts has obscured the dropout problem, resulting in the loss of federal grants for certain school districts. C.S.H.B. 1518 requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to evaluate the accelerated instruction program and to include an analysis of the effectiveness of each dropout reduction program. This bill also requires TEA to collect and report dropout and
school completion data and requires the legislative budget board, the office of the state auditor, and the comptroller to review TEA's standards and definitions for dropouts and students completing school. C.S.H.B. 1518 requires the commissioner of education (commissioner) to adopt rules under which the commissioner must grant a one-year exemption from audits related to state compensatory education to a school district that consistently achieves significant reductions in dropout rates, but prohibits the commissioner from granting an exemption to a district that
does not make consistent significant progress in reducing its dropout rate. (From Bill Analysis, Senate Research Center) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01518&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1518
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to placement of certain students in alternative education programs.
Title: H.B. 1314
Source: StateNet |
Bilingual/ESL |
to governor 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends Sec. 21.005. HIGH-QUALITY TEACHERS. Allows the commissioner to establish by rule a statewide standard to be used to certify each school district that is preparing, training, and recruiting high-quality teachers in a manner consistent with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Requires the commissioner to develop and make available training materials and other teacher training resources to assist teachers in developing the expertise required to enable students of limited English proficiency to meet state performance expectations. Requires the state agency to develop and make available teacher training materials and other teacher training resources to assist teachers in enabling students of limited English proficiency to meet state performance expectations. The teacher training resources shall be designed to support intensive, individualized, and accelerated instructional programs developed by school districts for students of limited English proficiency. Requires the commissioner, in coordination with representatives of institutions of higher education and school districts, to develop an on-line diagnostic and assistance program for each assessed (TAKS) subject to help students prepare for the 11th grade exit-level test. Also requires the commission (with higher education representatives) to develop other academic programs of mutual benefit to school districts and institutions of higher education. The bill requires the commissioner to seek private funding to make available on the Internet each diagnostic and assistance program developed. The bill authorizes the commissioner to permit a low-performing campus to participate in an innovative redesign of the campus to improve campus performance. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/billtext/SB01108F.HTM
Title: S.B. 1108 (Section 21.005)
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Bilingual/ESL |
Rule Adoption 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules concerning youth with limited English proficiency. Provides for reasonable access to all programs and services for the Youth Commission youth's who are determined to have limited English proficiency. TEXAS REG 85657 (SN)
Title: 37 TAC 91.25
Source: StateNet |
Bilingual/ESL |
to governor 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the state agency to develop and make available teacher training materials and other teacher training resources to assist teachers in enabling students of limited English proficiency to meet state performance expectations. The teacher training resources are to be designed to support intensive, individualized, and accelerated instructional programs developed by school districts for students of limited English proficiency. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/billtext/SB01108F.HTM
Title: S.B. 1108 (Section 39.024)
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Adds provision that unless the commissioner has specific cause to conduct an additional audit, the commissioner may not conduct more than one on-site audit under Section 12.1163 during any fiscal year, including any financial and administrative records. For purposes of this subsection, an audit of a charter holder or management company associated with an open-enrollment charter school is not considered an audit of the school. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01146&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1146
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Currently, charter school contracts stipulate the maximum allowable enrollment of a particular charter school. In compliance with this contract, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is authorized to recover excess funds when a charter school exceeds the contract enrollment number. However, charter schools receive state funds based on the average daily attendance (ADA) of students. Because average daily attendance is rarely 100 percent, charter schools often enroll enough students to meet a 100 percent ADA based on the contract enrollment number. This increase in ADA corresponds to a charter school enrolling more students than the limit established under the charter contract. H.B. 1202 prohibits the commissioner from garnishing or otherwise recovering funds paid to an open-enrollment charter school for students enrolled in excess of the number authorized by the charter contract. (Bill Analysis, Senate Research Center) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01202&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1202
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
To governor 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows school boards or the governing body of a home-rule school district to grant a charter for: (1) a new district campus; or (2) a program that is operated: (A) by an entity that has entered into a contract with the district under Section 11.157 to provide educational services to the district through the campus or program; and (B) at a facility located in the boundaries of the district. A charter holder of an open-enrollment charter school must consider including in the school's charter a requirement that the school develop and administer personal graduation plans.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/billtext/SB01108F.HTM
Title: S.B. 1108 (Section 12.0521)
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
to governor 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Provides alternate certification procedures for a charter school; provides for parental choice; provides for charter school teacher participation in the Teacher Retirement System; provides for teacher training consistent with the No Child Left Behind Act; provide for teacher training of students with limited English proficiency; provides for personal graduation plans for students not able to pass assessments; provides for online classes.
Title: S.B. 1108
Source: StateNet |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to awards granted under the Texas Advanced Placement Incentive Program to schools for providing a college advanced placement course.
Title: S.B. 578
Source: StateNet |
Curriculum--Science |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Currently, Texas students' performance on tests in the areas of math and science are below the national average. In order to improve the test scores, some advocates believe that a "Master Science" program needs to be developed to identify effective instructional practices for those subjects. H.B. 411 establishes a master science teacher certificate for teachers at elementary through high schools levels, and provides for a stipend for teachers holding a master science teacher certificate. (Bill Analysis, Senate Research Center) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00411&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 411
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to reimbursing classroom teachers for personal funds expended on classroom supplies.
Title: H.B. 1844
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Under current law, a school district is entitled to compensatory education funding to provide services to students who are educationally disadvantaged or who are at risk of dropping out of school. However, a school district is prohibited from using compensatory education funds for a program provided for dyslexic students under Section 38.003 (Screening and Treatment for Dyslexia and Related Disorders), Education Code. H.B. 1691 allows compensatory education funds to be used for accelerated reading programs for students at risk of dyslexia and for treatment programs for students who have been determined to have dyslexia or a related disorder. (From Bill Analysis, Senate Research) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01691&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1691
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to computation of wealth per student for certain school districts; provides for adjusted property value for districts not offering all grade levels.
Title: H.B. 1619
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to the determination of school district property values and the accountability of appraisal district operations. This bill provides for greater equalization of property tax valuations.
Title: S.B. 671
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to the composition of the Permanent School Fund and the Available School Fund and to procedures governing transfers from the Permanent School Fund to the Available School Fund.
Title: S.B. 206
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to sale and lease of public school land. Currently, the School Land Board (SLB) does not have the authority to use
brokers to market land, charges no reinstatement fee, and allows a purchaser five years to reinstate a claim. C.S.H.B. 2249 changes the
Permanent School Fund's handling of forfeitures of delinquent property contracts and gives SLB authority to use brokers to market land. This
bill also requires a 1.5 percent reinstatement fee for delinquent amounts, changes the time period allowed to reinstate a claim to six months, and deletes references to "asylum land." (Senate Research Center Analysis) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02249&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 2249
Source: Senate Research Center |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Prohibits a school district employee from recommending psychiatric evaluation or the use of a psychotropic drug or suggesting a particular diagnosis for a student. The bill also prevents a school district employee from using the parent's refusal to consent to administer a psychotropic drug as grounds for prohibiting the student to attend a class or participate in a school related activity. Also provides that certain school-related medical professionals are not prohibited from recommending that a child be evaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner. (Bill Analysis, Senate Research Center) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01406&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1406
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes a joint interim committee composed of the following members: (1) the commissioner of education; (2) the commissioner of public health; (3) the commissioner of agriculture; (4) three members of the senate, appointed by the lieutenant governor; (5) three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; (6) one physician who provides health services to
school-aged children, appointed by the governor; (7) one member who has expertise in nutrition, appointed by the governor; (8) one member who is a parent of a school-aged child, appointed by the governor; (9) one member who is a superintendent of schools or a school principal, appointed by the governor; (10) a school food service director, appointed by the governor; and (11) a representative of a statewide, voluntary
membership organization representing school district boards of trustees who is an elected public school trustee, appointed by the governor. (b) To the extent that funds are available, the interim committee shall hold hearings throughout the state to: (1) determine the nutritional content and quality of foods and beverages served to public school children, including food service meals, a la carte foods, and competitive foods and food provided in vending machines; (2) evaluate the short-term and long-term financial, psychological, and physiological impact of obesity in public school children; (3) assess the academic, emotional, and health value of a universal breakfast and lunch program by evaluating school children from school districts that provide each child a free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch; and (4) evaluate school contracts relating to competitive food products and vending machines, including the following issues related to competitive food products and vending machines: (A) economic and other impacts of potential conflicts of interest; (B) the length of contracts; (C) advertising and marketing of competitive food products; (D) revenues realized by schools and school districts from the sale of competitive food products; (E) officials in charge of receiving and disbursing revenue and the accounting of that revenue; and (F) the extent to which competitive foods impact each school district's food service program. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/billtext/SB00474F.HTM
Title: S.B. 474
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
An employee of a school district may not use or threaten to use the refusal of a parent, guardian, or managing or possessory
conservator of a child to administer or consent to the administration of a psychotropic drug to the child, or to consent to any other psychiatric or psychological testing or treatment of the child, as the sole basis for making a report of neglect of the child, unless the employee has cause to believe that the refusal: (1) presents a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, or bodily injury to the child; or (2) has resulted in an observable and material impairment to the growth, development, or functioning of the child.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00320&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 320
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Requests the lieutenant governor and the speaker to create a joint interim committee to study issues related to nutrition among state public school children.
Title: S.C.R. 49
Source: StateNet |
High School |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
S. B. 1470 amends the Education Code to permit any school district or open-enrollment charter school to apply for authorization to operate a
program under the section on high school equivalency programs. The bill deletes language that restricts such authorization to school districts or open-enrollment charter schools that on May 1, 2001, were operating a similar program as authorized by the Texas Education Agency. The
bill provides that a school district or open-enrollment charter school, authorized by the commissioner of education (commissioner) on or before
August 31, 2003 to operate a program under Section 29.087, may continue to operate that program.
The bill provides that a student is eligible to participate in a high school equivalency program if the student was ordered by a court under
Article 45.054, Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by Chapter 1514, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, or by the Texas Youth Commission to meet certain requirements. The bill provides that a student is eligible if, in addition to other conditions, at least two school years have elapsed since the student first enrolled in ninth grade and the student has accumulated less than one half, rather than a quarter, of the credits required to graduate under the minimum graduation requirements of the district or school.
The bill requires that a student participating in a high school equivalency program, other than one who has been ordered to participate by
the Texas Youth Commission, must have taken the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) and performed satisfactorily on that test before entering the program. The bill requires the he board of trustees or the governing body operating the program to adopt a policy that establishes the level of performance considered to be satisfactory. The bill deletes certain current provisions relating to the performance on assessment instruments of students participating in the program. (From Education Committee Report) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01470&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 1470
Source: StateNet |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12,
Community College |
In 1995, the 74th Texas Legislature authorized the boards of public community colleges to waive tuition for high school students participating
in concurrent enrollment programs. Since that time a limited number of districts have made the decision to provide the waiver. A reason for
this limited participation by community colleges is that the 1995 statute provides for an all or nothing decision on granting the waiver. H.B. 1621 amends the statute to authorize community colleges to waive all or part of both tuition and fees, and clarifies that tuition and fees are eligible for waiver. (From Bill Analysis, Senate Research)
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01621&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1621
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress |
to governor 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires districts to offer an intensive program of instruction to a student who does not perform satisfactorily on an assessment instrument administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39. This program must be designed to: (1) enable the student to: (A) to the extent practicable, perform at the student's grade level at the conclusion of the next regular school term; or (B) attain a standard of annual growth specified by the school district and reported by the district to the agency; and (2) if applicable, carry out the purposes of Section 28.0211. Districts are to use state funds.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/billtext/SB01108F.HTM
Title: S.B. 1108 (Section 28.0213)
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
The agency may by rule establish the technology immersion pilot project to provide a wireless mobile computing device to each student in a
participating school and implement the use of software, on-line courses, and other appropriate learning technologies that have been shown to improve academic achievement and the progress measures listed in Section 32.155(e). Authorizes the agency to solicit and accept a gift, grant, or donation from any source for the implementation of the pilot project. Sets requirements for the use of such funds including wireless mobile computing devices, software and other equipment. The bill stipulates that project funds may not be used for the construction of a building or facility. The bill prohibits the agency from allocating more than $1million for a school participating in the pilot project. The bill provides that a school district may apply to the agency for the establishment of a technology immersion pilot project for the entire district or for a particular school or group of schools in the district. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00396&VERSION=4&TYPE=A
Title: S.B. 396
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
to governor 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Defines "electronic course" and allows districts to offer an electronic course through a designated campus or through a full-time program. Not later than a date determined by the commissioner, each school district participating in the program shall create and maintain on the district's Internet website an "informed choice" report in a format determined by the commissioner. Specifies major components of the report. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/billtext/SB01108F.HTM
Title: S.B. 1108 (Section 29.909)
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
P-3 |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Adds prekindergarten or after school child care programs to the provision governing subsidized childcare services.
Title: S.B. 76
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
Postsec. |
Relates to the establishment of the Research Development Fund to promote research at certain institutions of higher education and to the abolition of the Texas Excellence Fund and the University Research Fund. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=03526&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 3526
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes no-interest loans for eligible students to enable those students to attend all public and private or independent institutions of higher education in this state. To be eligible initially for a Texas B-On-time loan, a person must: (1) be a resident of the state; (2) meet one of the following academic requirements: (A) be a graduate of a public or accredited private high school in this state who graduated not earlier than the 2002-2003 school year under the recommended or advanced high school program; or (B) have received an associate degree from an eligible institution not earlier than May 1, 2005; (3) be enrolled for a full course load for an undergraduate student, as determined by the coordinating board, in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at an eligible institution; (4) be eligible for federal financial aid, except that a person is not required to meet any financial need requirement applicable to a particular federal financial aid program; and (5) comply with any additional nonacademic requirement adopted by the coordinating board. Addresses other details. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/billtext/SB00004F.HTM
Title: S.B. 4
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Currently, the TEXAS Grant program determines eligibility based on a student's final high school transcript. However, most students have already determined where and how to go to college by the time they actually graduate from high school, thereby missing the opportunity to make a fully informed decision about where to go to college in the event the student earns or could earn a TEXAS Grant. S.B. 1007 makes it possible for institutions to base their TEXAS Grant awards on a student's seventh semester transcript. (From House Education Committee Report) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01007&VERSION=4&TYPE=A
Title: S.B. 1007
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
Postsec. |
The current system used to set tuition in Texas mandates the same basic rate across the state. With tuition flexibility, universities could use
flexible rates to achieve strategic goals such as improving graduation rates, more efficient use of facilities, and improving academic programs.
C.S.H.B. 3015 establishes the structure to implement a flexible pricing plan, to measure the performance of each institution of higher education. This bill also establishes a committee of the Senate Committee on Education and the House Committee on Higher Education to jointly conduct a study of alternative methods by which rates for tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education may be set up by the legislature and by the governing boards of those institutions and the impact of those alternatives on certain areas related to higher education.
(Bill Analysis, Senate Reserach Center) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=03015&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 3015
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
Postsec. |
Relates to the continuation and functions of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Addresses membership, procedures, conflict of interest, common course numbering, success initiative (Sec. 51.3062. SUCCESS INITIATIVE: Requires institutions to assess all incoming students. If a student fails to meet the assessment standards described by Subsection (f), the institution of higher education is to work with the student to develop a plan to assist the student in becoming ready to perform freshman-level academic coursework. The plan must be designed on an individual basis to provide the best opportunity for each student to attain that readiness. (i) The institution of higher education may refer a student to developmental coursework as considered necessary by the institution to address a student's deficiencies in the student's readiness to perform freshman-level academic coursework, except that the institution may not require enrollment in developmental
coursework with respect to a student previously determined by any institution of higher education to have met college-readiness standards. Legislative funding may not be used for developmental coursework in excess of: (1) 18 semester credit hours, for a general academic teaching institution; and (2) 27 semester credit hours, for a public junior college, public technical institute, or public state college. Provides exceptions) Sec. 130.0012. PILOT PROJECT: BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS. (a) Requries the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish a pilot project to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of authorizing public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs in the fields of applied science and applied technology. Participation in the pilot project does not otherwise alter the role and mission of a public junior college. (b) Requires the coordinating board shall operate the pilot project at three public junior colleges, as determined by the coordinating board. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/billtext/SB00286F.HTM
Title: S.B. 286
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
Postsec. |
Relates to institutions of higher education, including the administration, operation, governance, and financing of those institutions. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/billtext/SB01652F.HTM
Title: S.B. 1652
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
Postsec. |
Prohibits institutions of higher education from discriminating against students with a nontraditional secondary education" (home-schooled or who attended a nonaccredited private school). http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00944&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 944
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Expands expulsion of students from public schools to include (1) actions on school property of a school in another district in the state or (2) actions while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity of a school in another district in this state.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00552&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 552
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
The Educators' Code of Ethics states that an educator should not "solicit or engage in sexual conduct or a romantic relationship with a student." Though an educator may be sanctioned for violation of this rule, there are currently no laws that would prohibit sexual relations between a school employee and a student. H.B. 532 creates the offense of improper sexual relations between employees of a public or private primary or secondary school and students younger than 18 years of age. (Bill Analysis, Senate Research Center) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00532&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 532
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires a superintendent or director of a school district, regional educational service center, or shared services arrangement, to file a
report with SBEC if a superintendent has reason to believe that an educator has engaged in certain incidents of misconduct. This bill also requires school districts to include information on this requirement in staff development programs. Requires the Department of
Protective and Regulatory Services (DPRS) to orally notify a school superintendent if DPRS investigates a public primary or secondary school employee. (Bill Analysis, House Committee) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01488&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 1488
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Currently, Texas law requires a full individual and initial evaluation of a student for purposes of special education services to be completed no later than the 60th calendar day following the date on which the referral for evaluation was initiated by school personnel, the student's parent or legal guardian or another appropriate person. This triggering date is not consistent with other state and federal requirements. Federal law requires that any initial evaluation be conducted only upon receipt of parental consent obtained following a full explanation of procedural safeguards and no evaluation can take place until such consent is obtained. The school district may be left with a very short period of time between the date consent is obtained and the date the evaluation is actually completed, given the 60-day time period requirement. The time lag in awaiting parental consent has resulted in school districts being found in violation of the 60-day requirement. H.B. 1339 clarifies the administrative process regarding special education evaluations for school districts by coordinating the evaluation date with federal guidelines. (Bill Analysis, Senate Research Center) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01339&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1339
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Relating to school districts that place an excessive number of students in certain special education instructional arrangements. Requires the state agency to make and disseminate to each school district a list of those districts that maintain for two successive years a ratio of full-time equivalent students placed in partially or totally self-contained classrooms to the number of full-time equivalent students placed in resource room or mainstream instructional arrangements that is 25% higher than the statewide average ratio. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01441&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1441
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Authorizes each school district to provide a mentoring services program to students at risk of dropping out of school. The bill requires a district that provides a mentoring services program using compensatory education funds to meet standards adopted by the governor under the mentoring initiative established by the governor. The bill requires the board of trustees of the district to obtain the consent of a student's parent or guardian before allowing the student to participate in the program. The bill authorizes the board of trustees of the district to arrange for any public or private community-based organization to come to the district's schools and implement the program. The bill authorizes funds allocated under Section 42.152 to be used to fund a district's mentoring services program. (Committee Analysis Report) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00016&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 16
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Student Supports--Remediation |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a school district to provide a flexible year program for students who did not perform well or are not likely to perform well on a certain assessment instrument or who would not otherwise be promoted to the next grade level. The bill authorizes a school district to provide additional instructional days for such a program by setting aside certain days for that purpose. The bill requires each educator employed under a 10-month contract to provide the minimum days of service required under Section 21.401, notwithstanding any reduction in the number of instructional days in the regular school year or in the number of staff development days. The bill authorizes a school district to require educational support personnel to provide service as necessary for an optional flexible year program. The bill authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules for these administration of flexible year programs. Provides that, except as authorized under Sections 29.0821, 25.081(b), and 25.084, each school district operate so that the district provides for at least 180 days of instruction for students. Provides an alternative method for calculating average daily attendance for a district that operates under a flexible year program. (Bill Analysis, House Committee) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00346&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 346
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
Postsec. |
Relates to excused absences for religious holy days for students in institutions of higher education. An institution of higher education must excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, ncluding travel for that purpose. A student whose absence is excused under this subsection may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the
absence. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00256&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 256
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to revocation of the certificate and termination of the employment of public school educators convicted of certain offenses that require sex offender registration and where the victim of the offense is under 18 years of age.
Title: S.B. 1109
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Evaluation and Effectiveness |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Current law requires all teachers to undergo an appraisal every year. However, this provision fails to permit an administrator to reduce the frequency of appraisals for a teacher with a performance of at least proficient or the equivalent, and who has no identified areas of performance deficiency. C.S.H.B. 1440 amends the Education Code to provide for a permissive exemption of certain teachers from the annual appraisal requirement. (Bill Analysis, Senate Research) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01440&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Rules were also amended: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tacupdates/may2004/ch150aa.pdf
Title: H.B. 1440
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
If the district has an Internet website, the district is required to place the board's employment policies on that website. At each school in the
district, the board is required to make a copy of the board's employment policies available for inspection at a reasonable time on request.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00912&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 912
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Under current law, a person who is employed as a teacher by a school district for the first time, or who has not been employed by the district
for two consecutive school years subsequent to August 28, 1967, is required to be employed under a probationary contract. Teacher contract
laws do not allow a school district to hire a former teacher who has had a lapse in service from that school district on a probationary contract, f
the teacher had attained term or continuing contract status in that district before the lapse in service. H.B. 558 authorizes a person who previously was employed as a teacher by a district and, after at least a two-year lapse in district employment returns to district employment, to be employed under a probationary contract (Senate Research Center analysis). http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00558&VERSION=3&TYPE=A
Title: H.B. 558
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Until 1995, a teacher who could not account for a textbook, could be held financially liable for the textbook. While this provision was eliminated in 1995, some school districts continue to hold teachers financially accountable for textbooks lost or stolen by students. H.B. 2072 prohibits the board of trustees of a school district from requiring an employee of the district to pay for a textbook that is stolen, misplaced, or not returned by a student. (Bill Analysis, Senate Research Center)
Title: H.B. 2072
Source: StateNet |
Accountability |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, for purposes of determining the performance of a school district under this chapter, including the accreditation status of the district, a student confined by court order in a residential program or facility operated by or under contract with the Texas Youth Commission is not considered to be a student of the school district in which the program or facility is physically located. The
performance of such a student on an assessment instrument or other academic excellence indicator adopted under Section 39.051 shall be
determined, reported, and considered separately from the performance of students attending a school of the district in which the program or facility is physically located. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02683&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 2683
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Accountability--Accreditation |
Rule Adoption 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends rules concerning education administration. Clarifies that Youth Commission schools are accredited under certain provisions. TEXAS REG 85576 (SN)
Title: 37 TAC 91.41
Source: StateNet |
Assessment--Accommodations |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
A special education student can be exempted from the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) and given an alternative assessment instrument if the student receives modified instruction in the essential knowledge and skills and the TAKS would not provide an appropriate measure of student achievement. H.B. 447 provides that a special education student must receive modified instruction in the essential knowledge and skills for the assessed subject in order to be assessed with the alternative assessment instrument. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00447&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 447
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Assessment--High Stakes/Competency |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
To facilitate the transfer of military personnel and their dependents to and from the public schools of this state, the agency is required to pursue reciprocity agreements with other states governing the terms of those transfers. Reciprocity agreement must permits a student to satisfy the requirements of Section 39.025 through successful performance on comparable exit-level assessment instruments administered in another state. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00591&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 591
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires dropout rates, including dropout rates and district completion rates for grade levels 9 through 12, be computed in accordance
with standards and definitions adopted by the National Center for Education Statistics of the United States Department of Education. The
bill adds to the list of indicators high school graduation rates, computed in accordance with standards and definitions adopted in compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act. (Bill Analysis, House Committee) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00186&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 186
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Bilingual/ESL |
Rule Adoption 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends rules concerning basic education. Establishes that the individual case plan developed for each youth address special education or English as a second language as needed. TEXAS REG 85577 (SN)
Title: 37 TAC 91.43
Source: StateNet |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Addresses career and technology education issues in several ways, including broadening the participation of industry and business representatives in educational planning activities; allowing a school district to recognize a student's achievement in a career and technology program through an award; encouraging the governor to recognize school districts with successful career and technology programs; allowing wealthy school districts to partner with poor districts for the creation of career and technology programs that can serve more than one district; and requiring information about awards and incentives for business participation in career and technology education to be publicized. (From Senate Research Center Digest) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00242&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 242
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to the use of municipal funds for the acquisition of land or acquisition, construction, expansion, or renovation of facilities for an open- enrollment charter school.
Title: H.B. 1564
Source: StateNet |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Under current law, if a disciplinary action is being taken against a student who is transferring from a charter school to a public school, the charter school is not required to send a copy of the student's order of disciplinary action to the public school. As a result, a public school's administration is unaware of the student transferee's disciplinary problems. However, a copy of the order of disciplinary action is required when a student is transferring between two public schools. H.B. 2061 requires a charter school to send a transferring student's order of disciplinary action to the enrolling school, just as public schools are required to do. (Bill Analysis, Senate Research Center) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02061&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 2061
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Rule Adoption 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends rules concerning general provisions for charter schools. Defines the role of shared services cooperative as it relates to charter school board and officer training. Includes details relating to contractual agreements. TEXAS REG 85430 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 100.1011
Source: StateNet |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Added a new objective to the list of objectives of public education. OBJECTIVE 5: Educators will prepare students to be thoughtful, active citizens who have an appreciation for the basic values of our state and national heritage and who can understand and productively function in a free enterprise society. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00319&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 319
Source: StateNet |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Relates to the display of the United States national motto in public elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education.
Title: H.B. 219
Source: StateNet |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Directs the Texas Education Agency and the state board to adopt and promote a virtues education program and to provide school districts with materials and support to assist in the program's implementation; and that the virtues education program include age-appropriate curricula and educational material and be structured to provide instruction beginning in kindergarten and continuing through 12th grade. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=CR&BILLSUFFIX=00073&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.C.R. 73
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
As a condition of accreditation, a school district is required to provide instruction using the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in the foundation curriculum, whereas in the enrichment curriculum, the TEKS standards are only required to be used as guidelines. C.S.S.B. 815 repeals language describing the requirements for the enrichment curriculum and provides that a school district must provide instruction of certain essential knowledge and skills in the enrichment curriculum as a condition of accreditation. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00815&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 815
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Directs the state board to implement the inclusion of elements relating to personal finance among the essential knowledge and skills in the required public school curriculum, and to adopt and promote a personal finance education program that provides public school districts with textbook selections to assist in the program's implementation. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=CR&BILLSUFFIX=00015&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.C.R. 15
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Does not require a school board to conduct an open meeting to deliberate a matter regarding a public school student if personally identifiable
information about the student will necessarily be revealed by the deliberation. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01226&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1226
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
S.B. 1357 Requires the board of trustees of each school district to establish a local school health advisory council, rather than local school
health education advisory council, to assist the district in ensuring that local community values are reflected in the district's health education
instruction. The bill provides that the local health advisor council's duties include making certain recommendation. S.B. 1357 requires a school district to make certain information available for reasonable public inspection. Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to make available to each school district one or more coordinated health programs designed to prevent obesity, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes in elementary school students. Requires each program to provide for coordinating health education; physical education and physical activity; nutrition services; and parental involvement. The commissioner of education is required to adopt criteria for evaluating a coordinated health program before making the program available. Requires the commissioner, before adopting criteria, to request review and comment concerning the criteria from the Texas Department of Health's School Health Advisory Committee. (Bill Analysis, Senate Reserach Center)
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01357&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 1357
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Concurrent enrollment programs, under the Texas Education Code, have given all high school students opportunities to gain college credit before graduating. However, some interpretations of Section 130.008(d), Education Code, have prevented students from enrolling and earning dual credit for career and technology classes and classes in schools which operate under block scheduling. H.B. 415 repeals Section 130.008(d), Education Code, and adds a subsection to require a student to be considered a full-time student in average daily attendance. (Bill Analysis, Senate Research Center) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00415&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 415
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools |
Became law without governor's signature 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the Texas Education Agency, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the Texas Department of Health, and the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, shall assess existing school-based mental health and substance abuse programs. The assessment must include recommendations regarding further development of such programs, including the incorporation of information regarding substance abuse prevention, mental health education, and access to related services. (b) The Texas Education Agency shall report on the results of the assessment to the 79th Legislature not later than January 11, 2005. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00491&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 491
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Leadership |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Current law provides that a principal be employed under a probationary contract the first year of employment with a school district, regardless
of experience with other districts. Senate Bill 1394 allows school districts the option of offering term contracts the first year a principal is employed with the district if the individual has previous experience as a principal. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01394&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 1394
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
No Child Left Behind--Parent Involvement |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
NCLB requires any school receiving federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I, Part A funding to notify parents
regarding teachers who do not meet the NCLB Act's definition of "highly qualified." Currently, the Texas Education Code essentially duplicates
this requirement. H.B. 673 eliminates the requirement for duplicate notices. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00673&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 673
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
A high school student who graduates within 36 month or less is eligible to receive a grant of $1,000 toward tuition at any Texas public private or private institution of higher education that will match the award. The program is funded entirely by the savings generated by students who graduate early from the public school system. Approximately 4,000 early graduates per year, out of an estimated 215,000 total graduates, take advantage of this program. H.B. 1882 amends the Education Code to change the rules of eligibility for the Early High School Graduation Scholarship and offer more financial assistance to eligible students. Under the Early High School Graduation Scholarship program, an eligible student is entitled to a state credit to pay tuition and mandatory fees at a public or private institution of higher education in this state in the following amounts: (1) $2,000 if the person successfully completed the recommended or advanced high school program and graduated from high school in 36 consecutive months or less and an additional $1,000 if the person graduated with at least 15 hours of college credit; (2) $500 if the person successfully completed the recommended or advanced high school program and graduated from high school in more than 36 consecutive months but not more than 41 consecutive months and an additional $1,000 if the person graduated with at least 30 hours of college credit; or (3) $1,000 if the person successfully completed the recommended or advanced high school program and graduated from high school in more than 41 consecutive months but not more than 45 consecutive months with at least 30 hours of college credit.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01882&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1882
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
Postsec. |
Under current law, the tuition rebate program permits a college student to apply for a $1,000 rebate of his or her college tuition upon graduation if undergraduate course requirements have been completed "efficiently," which in some cases means the student has taken as few classes as possible. Furthermore, the number of rebates awarded appears to be low compared to graduation rates at Texas' public colleges and universities. HB 1890 exempts up to nine hours of advanced placement classes from the total of "hours attempted." This bill makes the rebate available to more students while furthering the program's goal of efficiency by easing these requirements in the area of advanced placement credit. (Bill Analysis, Senate Research Center) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01890&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1890
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Religion |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the board of trustees of each school district to provide for the observance of one minute of silence during each school day at each school in the district. Also requires local boards to require require students, once during each school day at each school in the
district, to recite the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag and the pledge of allegiance to the state flag. On written request from a student's parent or guardian, a school district must excuse the student from reciting a pledge of allegiance.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00083&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 83
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Religion |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to the observance of one minute of silence during the school day in public schools; provides the board of trustees of each school district shall provide for the observance of one minute of silence during each school day at each school in the district.
Title: S.B. 83
Source: StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows a public school to expel a student who assaults, murders, or attempts to murder another student, or for the offense of aggravated robbery under Section 29.03, even if the event took place off campus. (Bill Analysis, Senate Research Center) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00567&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 567
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Sec. 28.0212. FINALITY OF GRADE. (a) An examination or course grade issued by a classroom teacher is final and may not be changed unless the grade is arbitrary, erroneous, or not consistent with the school district grading policy applicable to the grade, as determined by the board of trustees of the school district in which the teacher is employed. (b) A determination by a school district board of trustees
under Subsection (a) is not subject to appeal. This subsection does not prohibit an appeal related to a student's eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01949&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1949
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Service-Learning |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
Postsec. |
Urging public and private institutions of higher education in the State of Texas to adopt service learning as an important pedagogical tool and a central form of engagement, civic outreach, and citizenship education.
Title: S.C.R. 12
Source: StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
H.B. 2823 delegates the responsibility of ensuring compliance with federal transition-related requirements to the commissioner of education. The bill sets out the transition issues that must be considered in the transition portion of a student's individualized education program. (Bill Analysis, Senate Research) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02823&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 2823
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Rule Adoption 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to general provisions for master teacher certificates, master reading teacher certification, master mathematics certification, and master technology teacher certificates. Provides that all proposals for master teacher programs must be approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). Provides that the curriculum must be based on the standards for the respective master teacher certificates. Provides for a certification fee and a criminal history check. TEXAS REG 85299 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 239.100 thru 239.103
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends Sec. 21.0031. (a) An employee's probationary, continuing, or term contract under this chapter is void if the employee: (1) does not hold a certificate or permit issued by the State Board for Educator Certification; or (2) fails to fulfill the requirements necessary to
extend the employee's temporary or emergency certificate or permit. (b) After an employee receives notice that the employee's contract is void under Subsection (a): (1) a school district may:
(A) terminate the employee; (B) suspend the employee with or without pay; or (C) retain the employee for the remainder of the
school year on an at-will employment basis in a position other than classroom teacher at the employee's existing rate of pay or at a
reduced rate; and (2) the employee is not entitled to the minimum salary prescribed by Section 21.402. (c) A school district's decision under Subsection (b) is not subject to appeal under this chapter, and the notice and hearing requirements of this chapter do not apply to the decision. (d) This section does not affect the rights and remedies of a party in an at-will employment relationship. (e) This section does not apply to a certified teacher assigned to teach a subject for which the teacher is not certified. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01022&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1022
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Professional Development |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Staff development may: (1) include training in: A) technology; (B) conflict resolution; and (C) discipline strategies, including classroom
management, district discipline policies, and the student code of conduct; (2) include training that: (A) relates to instruction of students with disabilities; and (B) is designed for educators who work primarily outside the area of special education; and (3) include instruction as to what is permissible under law, including opinions of the United States Supreme Court,
regarding prayer in public school. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01024&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1024
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Currently, retirees of the Teacher Retirement System may return to work in a variety of positions without losing monthly benefits as long as they only work part-time and only in one position during the month. H.B. 3237 allows a retiree to work different positions as long as the total number of days that the retiree works in those positions in that month do not exceed the number of days per month for work on a one-half time basis. (Bill Analysis, Senate Research Center) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=03237&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 3237
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Currently, school districts seeking an alternative to discharging a teacher employed under a continuing contract, or terminating or nonrenewing a teacher employed under a term contract, have limited options. School districts may return the teacher to probationary contract status, but only with the teacher's consent, and only when such consent is given after the school district has provided prior written notice to the teacher of its intent to otherwise discharge, terminate, or nonrenew. H.B. 1113 creates a new option for school districts and teachers when faced with returning a teacher to probationary status by agreement. (Bill analysis, Senate Research Center) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01113&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: H.B. 1113
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Previously, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) appointed an examiner on a rotating basis when it is notified of a contract dispute. If both the district and the employee involved in the dispute agree to disallow the original examiner, they can both appoint another that is agreeable to both parties. S.B. 893 authorizes the parties to select a hearing examiner and requires the parties to inform the commissioner of education of the choice. This bill also increases the time frame in which the examiner has to complete the findings of fact and authorizes certain entities to amend or reject the examiners finding of fact. (Committee Report) http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00893&VERSION=5&TYPE=B
Title: S.B. 893
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us |
Special Education |
Rule Adoption 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Proposes rules concerning Memoranda of Understanding, with regard to coordinated services for multi-problem children and youth and transition planning for students receiving special education services. TEXAS REG 85090 (SN)
Title: 37 TAC 349.69 thru 349.72
Source: StateNet |
Special Education |
Adopted 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends rules relating to the educational requirements for persons under 22 years of age. Relates to the Memorandum of Understanding concerning interagency coordination of special education services to students with disabilities in residential facilities. TEXAS REG 84930 (SN)
Title: 40 TAC 19.1934
Source: StateNet |
Assessment |
Adopted 01/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules relating to assessment. Implements certain requirements for the new testing program, called the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). Clarifies transitional issues related to this new testing program. TEXAS REG 84616 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 101.3001, 101.3003
Source: StateNet |
Reading/Literacy |
Adopted 01/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends rules relating to the number of required continuing professional education hours by classes of certificates. Requires holders of the new standard reading specialist certificate to complete 200 hours of continuing professional education every five years in order to renew the certificate. TEXAS REG 84538 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 232.851
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Adopted 01/2003 |
P-12 |
Proposes rules related to the reading specialist certificate and student services certificates. Specifies the rules for general provisions for issuance of the reading specialist certificate, minimum requirements for admission to a reading specialist preparation program, and transition and implementation dates. TEXAS REG 84539 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 239.90 thru 239.95
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Adopted 01/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends rules relating to the generalist certificates for teaching in early childhood programs through grade 4 or in grades 4-8. Relates to certificates for teaching English language arts and reading, social studies, or history in grades 4-8 or 8-12. Relates to certificates for teaching mathmatics or science in the same grades. Relates to certificates for teaching technology application, bilingual education, English as a second language, and special education. TEXAS REG 84618 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 233.2 thru 233.8
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Adopted 01/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends rules relating to the assignment of public school personnel certified by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). Ensures the continued alignment of assignment rules with the state public school curriculum, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), adopted by the State Board of Education (SBOE) or, in the case of special education assignments, alignment with state and federal requirements. TEXAS REG 84617 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 230.601
Source: StateNet |
Finance--District |
Adopted 12/2002 |
P-12 |
Amends rules concerning the 'Financial Accountability System Resource Guide'. Describes rules for financial accounting such as financial reporting, budgeting, purchasing, auditing, site-based decision making, data collection and reporting, management, and state conpensatory education. TEXAS REG 84393 (SN)
Title: 19 TAC 109.41
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Adopted 12/2002 |
P-12 |
Replaces rules pertaining to Board contracted Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Sponsors. Allows contracting with providers and sets out requirements, most of which concern contractual obligations. Section 523.25 deals with evaluation. TEXAS REG 84215 (SN)
Title: 22 TAC 523.71
Source: StateNet |
School Safety--No Child Left Behind--Safe Schools |
Active 11/2002 |
P-12 |
During the 2002-2003 school year, the state, in consultation with a representative sample of LEAs, will develop criteria for identifying "persistently dangerous schools." (http://www.tea.state.tx.us/nclb/hottopics/persistentlydangerous.html)
Source: Texas Department of Education Web site |
No Child Left Behind |
Active 10/2002 |
P-12 |
2002 Consolidated Plan (dated 6/11/02); 9/1/02 updated web page indicates plan was approved: (http://www.tea.state.tx.us/nclb/csa8-1-02.pdf)
Source: Texas Department of Education Web site |
No Child Left Behind--Supplemental Services |
Active 10/2002 |
P-12 |
Supplemental Education Services application (deadline 12/1/02 for addition to initial approved list): (http://www.tea.state.tx.us/nclb/sip/ProviderApplication.pdf)
Approved providers: (http://www.tea.state.tx.us/nclb/SESProviderInfo.pdf)
Source: Texas Department of Education Web site |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Active 09/2002 |
P-12 |
Texas currently has no state academic assessment for paraprofessionals. However, the LEA may create its own academic assessment that documents a paraprofessional's knowledge and ability as described in statute. The Agency is still in discussions with the USDE on what flexibility may be available to LEAs in implementing the qualification requirements for paraprofessionals hired after January 8, 2002. The expected timeline on this guidance is October 2002. As soon as guidance on this issue is received, the Agency will provide the information to LEAs. (http://www.tea.state.tx.us/nclb/hottopics/hot.topics.paras.html)
Source: Texas Department of Education Web site |
No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress |
Active 08/2002 |
P-12 |
Prior to NCLB and under the Improving America's Schools Act, Texas had a wavier to identify Title I schools for improvement based on an data. Under this waiver, Texas identified 121 Title I schools for School Improvement for the 2000-2001 school year (based on Spring 2000 TAAS). For school year 2001-2002, Texas identified 72 Title I schools for School Improvement (based on Spring 2001 TAAS).
School Year 2002-2003: Under NCLB, Title 1 schools and districts identified for school improvement will be based on two consecutive years of failing to meet AYP (i.e., a campus received a rating of "Low-Performing" two years in a row, or a district received a rating of "Academically Unacceptable" two years in a row). The school or district must make AYP for two consecutive years in order to exit school improvement status.
School Year 2003-2004: The state's measure of AYP will change for School Year 2003-2004 to be in alignment with the AYP requirements under NCLB and the implementation of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, the new state assessment that will be given for the first time in the Spring of 2003. (http://www.tea.state.tx.us/nclb/hottopics/hot.topics.ayp.html)
Source: Texas Department of Education Web site |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Active 07/2002 |
P-12 |
Several issues still require clarification through regulations or non-regulatory guidance from the U.S. Department of Education related to the definition of "highly qualified." Preliminary guidance states that teachers hired under an alternative certification program will be considered to meet the definition of "highly qualified" and will be able to teach in Title I, Part A programs. However, further guidance is needed regarding teaching permits. As soon as guidance is available in this area, the information will be posted on this web site. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/nclb/hottopics/hot.topics.hqteachers.html
Source: Texas Department of Education Web site |
Governance |
Approved by voters 11/2001 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
PROPOSITION 11 (HJR85-2001)Proposes a Constitutional amendment to allow current and retired public school teachers and college professors, and retired public school administrators to receive compensation for serving on the governing bodies of school districts, cities, towns, or other local government districts.
Title: V. 11
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Accountability--Measures/Indicators |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Texas law defines a "student at risk of dropping out of school" by age
rather than grade level for students in grade levels higher than seventh
grade. This definition is used in determining portions of a school
district's funding. S.B. 702 expands the definition of "student at risk of
dropping out of school," and sets forth guidelines for administering and
funding of a compensatory and accelerated instruction program in public
schools.
Title: S.B. 702
Source: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/ |
Attendance |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Relates to truancy and the authority of justice and municipal courts in relation to children; provides criminal penalties for contributing to a truancy.
Title: S.B. 1432
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Class Size |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
A campus or district that is granted an exception from class size limits shall provide written notice of the exception to the parent of or person standing in parental relation to each student affected by the exception.
Title: H.B. 3313
Source: Texas Legislative Web Site |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Relates to cardiopulmonary resuscitation instruction of public school students.
Title: H.B. 821
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Equity |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
Postsec. |
Relates to the establishment and use of a women's athletic development fund and a study of women's athletic development practices at institutions of higher education.
Title: S.B. 903
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Became law without governor's signature 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Authorizes certain ad valorem tax incentives for economic development; authorizes school districts to provide tax relief for certain corporations and limited liability companies that make large investments that create or maintain jobs in this state; continues the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act.
Title: H.B. 1200
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
Postsec. |
Relates to the establishment and operation of the Toward Excellence, Access, & Success (TEXAS) Grant II program; provides a grant of money to enable eligible students to attend public two-year institutions of higher learning in this state.
Title: S.B. 1596
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
Postsec. |
Revises admissions standards for graduate and professional programs. One portion states that an applicant's performance on a standardized test may not be used in the admissions or competitive scholarship process for a graduate or professional program as the sole criterion for consideration. If an applicant's performance on a standardized test is used in the admissions or competitive scholarship process, the applicant's performance also must be used to compare the applicant's test score with those of other applicants from similar socioeconomic backgrounds to the extent that those backgrounds can be properly determined and identified by the general academic teaching institution or medical and dental unit based on information provided in the institution's or unit's admissions or competitive scholarship process. Does not apply to a standardized test used to measure the English language proficiency of a student who is a graduate of a foreign institution of higher education. A general academic teaching institution or medical and dental unit may not assign a specific weight to any one factor being considered in the admissions or competitive scholarship process for a graduate or professional program.
Title: H.B. 1641
Source: http://www.house.state.tx.us/ |
Special Populations--Corrections Education |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Relates to school district disciplinary action against a student with a disability who receives special education services. Any disciplinary action regarding a student with a disability who receives special education services that would constitute a change in placement under federal law may be taken only after the student's admission, review, and dismissal committee conducts a manifestation determination review. Relates to the authority of a juvenile justice alternative education program to obtain a waiver regarding required days of operation.
Title: S.B. 189
Source: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/ |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Relates to the rights of a public school teacher who is assaulted during the performance of the teacher's regular duties.
Title: H.B. 1188
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Relates |