Texas House Bill HB2223

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to training academies for public school teachers who provide reading comprehension instruction to students in grades four and five.

Impact

If enacted, HB2223 will officially amend the Education Code of Texas by adding provisions for these academies under the responsibility of the commissioner of education. This initiative is expected to improve overall reading proficiency among fourth and fifth graders, which is crucial as these students transition from learning to read toward reading to learn. The inclusion of stipends for participating teachers likely serves to incentivize attendance, thereby increasing the number of instructors qualified to deliver high-quality reading instruction across Texas public schools.

Summary

House Bill 2223 seeks to enhance the quality of reading comprehension instruction provided by public school teachers to students in grades four and five. The bill mandates the creation of 'reading-to-learn' academies, which are training programs designed specifically for teachers engaged in this vital area of education. These academies aim to equip educators with effective instructional practices that foster not just basic reading comprehension, but also inferential skills and critical thinking among students. Access to training materials will be provided online to support ongoing professional development.

Contention

While the bill's intentions are to improve educational outcomes, discussions surrounding the allocation of resources for these academies may emerge. There are potential concerns over funding, especially if the stipends provided to teachers are seen as a diversion of funds from other educational priorities. Additionally, the effectiveness of such training initiatives often hinges on their implementation and the degree of support provided to teachers post-training, which can be points of contention among stakeholders looking for accountability and measurable results in reading improvements.