82R7998 PAM-F
By: Shapiro S.B. No. 872
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the study of productivity and cost-effectiveness in
public education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 2, Education Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 9 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9. CENTER FOR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND
PRODUCTIVITY IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
Sec. 9.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Board" means the Center for Financial
Accountability and Productivity in Public Education Board.
(2) "Center" means the Center for Financial
Accountability and Productivity in Public Education.
Sec. 9.002. CENTER FOR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND
PRODUCTIVITY IN PUBLIC EDUCATION. (a) The Center for Financial
Accountability and Productivity in Public Education is created as
an independent policy center.
(b) The center shall represent business, finance, public
policy, education, and other interests considered appropriate by
the center.
(c) In performing the duties provided by this chapter, the
center shall:
(1) work directly with the governor, lieutenant
governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and members of
the legislature; and
(2) work with the agency and other state agencies,
regional education service centers, school districts, and
open-enrollment charter schools.
Sec. 9.003. CENTER DUTIES. (a) The center shall:
(1) examine the productivity and cost-effectiveness
of the public school system; and
(2) promote the use of successful methods to increase
productivity and cost-effectiveness at the school district and
campus levels.
(b) The center shall evaluate and rank the productivity and
cost-effectiveness of each school district, campus, and
open-enrollment charter school and provide a progress report and
recommendations each year to:
(1) the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the
house of representatives, Legislative Budget Board, commissioner,
and State Board of Education; and
(2) districts, campuses, and open-enrollment charter
schools.
(c) The center may assist the legislature with policy
studies related to the center's duties. The center may participate
in collaborative studies with a foundation or organization inside
or outside this state related to the center's duties.
(d) The center shall seek information, data, and best
practices from state, regional, and national sources to use in
performing the center's duties provided by this chapter.
(e) The center may contract with independent experts,
academic scholars, and other appropriate professionals in
performing the center's duties provided by this chapter.
Sec. 9.004. BOARD. (a) The Center for Financial
Accountability and Productivity in Public Education Board is
created as the primary policy-making body of the center.
(b) The board is composed of three members. The governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
shall each appoint one member. The board members appointed under
this section must include individuals in the private sector who
have an interest in improving productivity in public education and
significant experience in organizational management, finance, or
business. A board member may not:
(1) be a member of the board of trustees or an employee
of a school district or a member of the governing body or an
employee of or a charter holder of a charter for an open-enrollment
charter school; or
(2) have a financial relationship with a vendor or
contractor who provides goods or services to any part of the public
education system of this state.
(c) Board members serve four-year terms.
(d) Board members shall annually elect one member as the
presiding officer.
(e) A board member may not receive a salary for services as a
board member but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in
attending board meetings.
Sec. 9.005. BOARD DUTIES. (a) The board shall study the
elements of a productive and cost-effective public education system
and make recommendations to:
(1) improve the productivity and cost-effectiveness
of the public education system to meet the demands of the current
century;
(2) provide greater financial accountability in the
public education system;
(3) improve the state's ability to compete
educationally and economically with other states and countries; and
(4) provide the public with information on public
education productivity and cost-effectiveness.
(b) The board shall provide a report of the board's study
and recommendations under Subsection (a) to:
(1) the Legislative Budget Board at least once each
year; and
(2) the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the
house of representatives, legislature, commissioner, and State
Board of Education before the convening of each regular legislative
session.
Sec. 9.006. SUPPORT FOR PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES. (a) State
agencies, regional education service centers, school districts,
and open-enrollment charter schools shall fully cooperate with and
assist the center at the board's request.
(b) Data and information necessary to perform the center's
duties under this chapter shall be provided at the board's request
in a timely manner and at minimal cost. The board and center shall
require confidentiality and other security measures for student
data and information consistent with the Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g).
Sec. 9.007. FUNDING. The center may be funded by donations,
grants, and legislative appropriations.
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, 2011.