81R7046 CAS-F
By: Weber H.B. No. 4015
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to reducing the written information that public school
educators can be required to provide.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 7.060(b), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) The commissioner shall adopt a policy that limits
written reports and other paperwork that a principal or classroom
teacher may be required by the agency to complete. The policy must
include a provision that any rule adopted by the commissioner must
state whether the rule requires a principal or classroom teacher to
complete a written report or other paperwork.
SECTION 2. Section 11.164, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
follows:
(a) The board of trustees of each school district shall
limit redundant requests for information and the number and length
of written reports that a classroom teacher is required to prepare.
A classroom teacher may not be required to prepare any written
information other than:
(1) any report concerning the health, safety, or
welfare of a student;
(2) a report of a student's grade on an assignment or
examination;
(3) a report of a student's academic progress in a
class or course to the extent required in carrying out Section
28.022;
(4) a report of a student's grades at the end of each
grade reporting period;
(5) a textbook report;
(6) a unit or weekly lesson plan that outlines, in a
brief and general manner, the information to be presented during
each period at the secondary level or in each subject or topic at
the elementary level;
(7) an attendance report;
(8) any report required for accreditation review;
(9) any information required by a school district that
relates to a complaint, grievance, or actual or potential
litigation and that requires the classroom teacher's involvement;
or
(10) any information specifically required by law,
rule, or regulation.
(a-1) For purposes of this section, preparation of written
information includes the submission or compilation of information
using a computer program, Internet website, or other electronic
method.
SECTION 3. Section 39.075(b-1), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b-1) The commissioner may authorize special accreditation
investigations to be conducted in response to repeated complaints
submitted to the agency concerning imposition of excessive
paperwork requirements on classroom teachers. The commissioner
shall establish and publicize among classroom teachers and any
other appropriate persons a process by which complaints can be made
concerning imposition of excessive paperwork requirements on
classroom teachers.
SECTION 4. Not later than January 31, 2010, the
commissioner of education shall adopt a policy as required by
Section 7.060(b), Education Code, as amended by this Act. A
provision that is included in the policy to comply with Section
7.060(b), Education Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to a
rule adopted by the commissioner of education on or after the date
the provision takes effect.
SECTION 5. Not later than January 31, 2010, the
commissioner of education shall establish and publicize, as
required by Section 39.075(b-1), Education Code, as amended by this
Act, a process by which complaints can be made concerning
imposition of excessive paperwork requirements on classroom
teachers.
SECTION 6. 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.