Texas Senate Bill SB1763

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the award of stipends to nationally certified classroom teachers under the educator excellence awards program.

Impact

The legislation intends to enhance the teaching profession by providing financial recognition to certified teachers, particularly those in critical shortage subjects or with proven records of student success. The bill recognizes a variety of contributions from teachers, including mentorship roles and advanced degrees, thus expanding the criteria for stipend eligibility to ensure a broader scope of support for those improving educational outcomes. The direct implication is that effective teachers will receive additional financial support, which could lead to an overall improvement in teaching quality and student performance in the state's school system.

Summary

Senate Bill 1763 aims to amend Section 21.705 of the Texas Education Code, focusing on the award of stipends to nationally certified classroom teachers as part of the educator excellence awards program. The bill mandates that a minimum of 60 percent of the grant funds received by a school district must be allocated to directly reward classroom teachers who demonstrate significant improvements in student achievement based on objective measures. This initiative is being pushed to incentivize effective teaching and bolster student performance across Texas schools.

Contention

While promoting teacher effectiveness and aiming to elevate student outcomes, the bill may spark debate about the distribution of funds and the metrics used to gauge teacher success. Opponents may argue that relying heavily on objective measures can overlook important qualitative factors in teaching. Further concerns may arise regarding the potential impact of this incentive structure on teacher morale, especially among those who may not qualify for such stipends despite their contributions to student learning. The implementation of this bill could likely generate discussions about equity, fairness in evaluation practices, and the support provided to all educators.