81R3303 EAH-D
By: Leibowitz H.B. No. 1754
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the Texas Education Agency's online clearinghouse of
information concerning best practices for public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 7.009, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (e) to read
as follows:
(a) In coordination with the Legislative Budget Board, the
agency shall establish an online clearinghouse of information
relating to best practices of campuses, [and] school districts, and
open-enrollment charter schools. The agency shall determine the
appropriate topic categories for which a campus, district, or
charter school may submit best [regarding instruction, dropout
prevention, public school finance, resource allocation, and
business] practices. To the extent practicable, the agency shall
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
districts rather than general guidelines relating to campus and
school district operation. The information must be accessible by
campuses, school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and
interested members of the public.
(b) The agency shall solicit and collect from the
Legislative Budget Board, centers for education research
established under Section 1.005, and [exemplary or recognized]
school districts, campuses, and open-enrollment charter schools[,
as rated under Section 39.072,] examples of best practices as
determined by the agency under Subsection (a) [relating to
instruction, dropout prevention, public school finance, resource
allocation, and business practices, including best practices
relating to curriculum, scope and sequence, compensation and
incentive systems, bilingual education and special language
programs, compensatory education programs, and the effective use of
instructional technology, including online courses].
(e) The agency shall create an incentive award to recognize
school districts, campuses, and open-enrollment charter schools
that submit eligible practices to the clearinghouse.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.