Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2262 Compare Versions

The same version is selected twice. Please select two different versions to compare.

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New	Differences
1	1	S.B. No. 2262
2	2
3	3
4	4	AN ACT
5	5	relating to the administration of mathematics, science, and
6	6	technology teacher preparation academies at institutions of higher
7	7	education.
8	8	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
9	9	SECTION 1. Section 21.462, Education Code, is transferred
10	10	to Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, redesignated as
11	11	Section 61.0766, Education Code, and amended to read as follows:
12	12	Sec. 61.0766 [21.462]. MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, AND
13	13	TECHNOLOGY TEACHER PREPARATION ACADEMIES. (a) From funds
14	14	appropriated for that purpose, the board [Texas Higher Education
15	15	Coordinating Board] shall establish academies at institutions of
16	16	higher education to improve the instructional skills of teachers
17	17	certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, and train students
18	18	enrolled in a teacher preparation program to perform at the highest
19	19	levels in mathematics, science, and technology. The
20	20	[coordinating] board may adopt rules as necessary to administer
21	21	this section.
22	22	(b) Before an institution of higher education establishes
23	23	an academy under this section, the institution must apply through a
24	24	competitive process, as determined by the board [Texas Higher
25	25	Education Coordinating Board], and meet any requirements
26	26	established by the [coordinating] board for designation as an
27	27	academy under this section and continued funding. The
28	28	institution of higher education must have a teacher preparation
29	29	program approved by the State Board for Educator Certification or
30	30	be affiliated with a program approved by the State Board for
31	31	Educator Certification [board].
32	32	(c) A participant in an academy program must be:
33	33	(1) an experienced teacher who:
34	34	(A) is recommended by a school district; and
35	35	(B) has at least two [five] years experience
36	36	teaching mathematics, science, or technology in assignments for
37	37	which the teacher met all certification requirements; or
38	38	(2) a teacher preparation program candidate who has or
39	39	will graduate with a degree in mathematics, science, or technology.
40	40	(d) An academy program shall:
41	41	(1) offer a masters-level degree as part of the
42	42	program on a schedule that allows a teacher participant to complete
43	43	the program and degree while employed as a teacher;
44	44	(2) coordinate with the mathematics, science, and
45	45	technology departments of the institution of higher education
46	46	operating the program to facilitate the ability of:
47	47	(A) academy participants to take advanced
48	48	courses and qualify for degrees; and
49	49	(B) teacher preparation program candidates
50	50	pursuing mathematics, science, or technology degrees to
51	51	participate in academy programs;
52	52	(3) integrate advanced subject-matter coursework with
53	53	instructional methodology and curriculum delivery; and
54	54	(4) focus on strengthening instructional skills.
55	55	(e) An academy program may:
56	56	(1) provide financial assistance for the purpose of
57	57	allowing participants to complete the program and obtain a master
58	58	teacher certificate under Section 21.0482, 21.0483, or 21.0484;
59	59	(2) include programs in leadership skills to develop
60	60	training, mentoring, and coaching skills;
61	61	(3) deliver coursework electronically for some or all
62	62	of the program; and
63	63	(4) provide for ongoing professional development and
64	64	coordination with specific public school instructional programs.
65	65	SECTION 2. Section 39.363, Education Code, is amended to
66	66	read as follows:
67	67	Sec. 39.363. FUNDING FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS. (a) From funds
68	68	appropriated, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
69	69	allocate $8.75 million each year to establish mathematics, science,
70	70	and technology teacher preparation academies under Section 61.0766
71	71	[21.462] and implement and administer the program under Section
72	72	29.098.
73	73	(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
74	74	establish mathematics, science, and technology teacher preparation
75	75	academies under Section 61.0766 [21.462] and implement and
76	76	administer the program under Section 29.098 in a manner consistent
77	77	with the goals of this subchapter and the goals in "Closing the
78	78	Gaps," the state's master plan for higher education.
79	79	SECTION 3. Subsection (b), Section 39.365, Education Code,
80	80	is amended to read as follows:
81	81	(b) Not later than March 1 and September 1 of each year, the
82	82	commissioner of education shall prepare and deliver a progress
83	83	report to the presiding officers of the standing committees of each
84	84	house of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over public
85	85	education, the Legislative Budget Board, and the Governor's Office
86	86	of Policy and Planning on:
87	87	(1) the implementation of Sections 7.031, 21.4511,
88	88	21.4541, [21.462,] 28.008(d-1), 28.0212(d), 29.095-29.098, 29.911,
89	89	29.917-29.919, and 39.115 and this subchapter;
90	90	(2) the programs supported by grants approved under
91	91	this subchapter; and
92	92	(3) the alignment of grants and programs to the
93	93	strategic plan adopted under Section 39.357.
94	94	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
95	95	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
96	96	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
97	97	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
98	98	Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
99	99	______________________________ ______________________________
100	100	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
101	101	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2262 passed the Senate on
102	102	April 30, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
103	103	______________________________
104	104	Secretary of the Senate
105	105	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2262 passed the House on
106	106	May 27, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 148, Nays 0, one
107	107	present not voting.
108	108	______________________________
109	109	Chief Clerk of the House
110	110	Approved:
111	111	______________________________
112	112	Date
113	113	______________________________
114	114	Governor