84R9004 CAE-D
By: King of Hemphill H.B. No. 1801
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a technology grant to be awarded to public school
districts that have received certain performance ratings.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 32, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter H to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER H. TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM
Sec. 32.351. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM. (a) The
commissioner shall establish a grant program under which a grant is
awarded to a school district that has received a performance rating
of D or F, as provided by Section 39.054, for the preceding school
year.
(b) A school district may apply to the commissioner to
participate in the grant program. In awarding grants under this
subchapter for each school year, the commissioner shall consider
the availability of existing technological equipment to students in
the district.
(c) The commissioner may determine the terms of a grant
awarded under this subchapter, including limits on the grant amount
and the approved uses of grant funds.
Sec. 32.352. FUNDING. The commissioner shall award grants
under this subchapter using funds appropriated for that purpose.
Sec. 32.353. USE OF GRANT FUNDS. A school district may use
a grant awarded under Section 32.351 to expand access to
technologies that are necessary to improve access to high quality
digital learning at campuses in the district, including:
(1) purchasing and maintaining technological
equipment;
(2) providing instruction on the use of technological
equipment; and
(3) increasing the technological literacy of
students.
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, 2015.