Texas House Bill HB1255

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the maximum amount of certain awards made to public school teachers under the Texas Advanced Placement Incentive Program.

Impact

The bill establishes new financial parameters for teacher awards, which include subsidized training not exceeding $450, a one-time award of $250 for teaching an advanced placement course for the first time, and distribution of a share from a teacher bonus pool that is proportional to the number of courses taught. By increasing the financial support available to teachers, this bill aims to improve the overall effectiveness of advanced placement education in Texas, benefiting both educators and students alike.

Summary

House Bill 1255 pertains to the Texas Advanced Placement Incentive Program and seeks to amend the maximum awards that public school teachers can receive under this program. Specifically, the bill updates the provisions found in Section 28.053(d) of the Education Code. It offers various forms of financial support to teachers engaged in advanced placement and international baccalaureate courses, aiming to enhance educator preparation and incentivize high-quality instruction in these rigorous academic programs.

Contention

While the intent behind HB 1255 is to bolster education and provide necessary resources for teachers in advanced placement programs, the discussions surrounding the bill could involve debates about adequate funding for educational initiatives versus other budgetary priorities. Some stakeholders may argue about the sufficiency of the proposed financial awards and whether they truly meet the needs of teachers or if the awards are too modest to impact teacher performance meaningfully. Furthermore, questions could arise regarding equity in how these awards are distributed among different school districts, particularly those in underserved areas.