84R14300 PAM-F
By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 2051
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the study of public education performance.
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 PERFORMANCE INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION
Sec. 9.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Board" means the Center for Performance
Information for Public Education Board.
(2) "Center" means the Center for Performance
Information for Public Education.
Sec. 9.002. CENTER FOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC
EDUCATION. (a) The Center for Performance Information for 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 promote
the use of successful methods to increase performance at the school
district and campus levels.
(b) The center shall evaluate and rank the performance 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 Performance
Information for 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 performance 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 an effective and efficient system of public free
schools and make recommendations to:
(1) improve the performance of the public education
system to meet the demands of the current century;
(2) improve the state's ability to compete
educationally and economically with other states and countries; and
(3) provide the public with information on public
education performance.
(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, 2015.