Texas House Bill HB1754

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the Texas Education Agency's online clearinghouse of information concerning best practices for public schools.

Impact

The bill seeks to amend existing sections of the Texas Education Code by requiring the TEA to coordinate with the Legislative Budget Board to determine relevant topic categories for submissions to the clearinghouse. This approach emphasizes the importance of not just general operational guidelines but specific, actionable best practices. By recognizing high-performing schools through an incentive award mechanism, the legislation aims to encourage more schools to participate and contribute to the clearinghouse, thereby fostering a culture of shared success across the education system in Texas.

Summary

House Bill 1754 proposes the establishment of an online clearinghouse by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) that will focus on collecting and disseminating best practices for public schools, including traditional campuses, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools. The bill aims to support educational improvement by sharing actionable and specific strategies that have been proven effective in enhancing campus performance and operational efficiency. This will allow schools to learn from one another and implement practices that lead to better educational outcomes.

Contention

While the intention behind HB 1754 is to improve public education outcomes through collaboration and knowledge sharing, potential points of contention may arise regarding the nature of the practices deemed 'best' by the TEA. How the TEA assesses and categorizes these practices may be subject to scrutiny from various stakeholders, including educators and school administrators, who might feel excluded if their successful methods are not recognized. Additionally, the funding and resource support for maintaining and promoting the online clearinghouse will also be examined, as it requires ongoing commitment from the state.