S.B. No. 972
AN ACT
relating to training academies for public school teachers who
provide reading comprehension instruction to students in grades
four and five.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.4554 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.4554. READING-TO-LEARN ACADEMIES. (a) The
commissioner shall develop and make available reading-to-learn
academies for teachers who provide reading comprehension
instruction to students at the fourth or fifth grade level.
(b) A reading-to-learn academy developed under this
section:
(1) must include effective instructional practices
that promote student development of reading comprehension and
inferential and critical thinking;
(2) must provide training in the use of empirically
validated instructional methods that are appropriate for
struggling readers;
(3) may include material on writing instruction; and
(4) must provide participating teachers with access to
the academy training materials through the Internet after the
teachers attend the academy.
(c) The commissioner shall adopt criteria for selecting
teachers who may attend a reading-to-learn academy. In adopting
selection criteria under this subsection, the commissioner shall:
(1) require granting a priority to teachers employed
by a school district at a campus at which 50 percent or more of the
students enrolled are educationally disadvantaged; and
(2) provide a process through which a teacher not
employed at a campus described by Subdivision (1) may attend the
academy if the academy has available space and the school district
employing the teacher pays the costs of the teacher's attendance.
(d) From funds appropriated for that purpose, a teacher who
attends a reading-to-learn academy is entitled to receive a stipend
in the amount determined by the commissioner. A stipend received
under this subsection is not considered in determining whether a
district is paying the teacher the minimum monthly salary under
Section 21.402.
(e) On request of the commissioner, regional education
service centers shall assist the commissioner and agency with
training and other activities relating to the development and
operation of reading-to-learn academies.
(f) This section expires September 1, 2027.
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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 972 passed the Senate on
April 23, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 972 passed the House on
May 23, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 103, Nays 37,
one present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor