85R11669 MEW-D
By: Lucio III H.B. No. 2914
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to instruction in and an allotment for technology
applications courses in computer programming.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.0490 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.0490. COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM PROVIDER. (a) With
approval from the commissioner, a school district or
open-enrollment charter school may contract with a computer science
program provider to provide instruction in a technology
applications course in computer programming to students in grades
two through eight.
(b) An instructor employed through an approved computer
science program provider providing instruction to students in a
technology applications course in computer programming is not
required to hold a teaching certificate.
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 42, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 42.1543 to read as follows:
Sec. 42.1543. COMPUTER PROGRAMMING COURSE ALLOTMENT. (a)
For each student in average daily attendance in an approved
technology applications course in computer programming in grades
two through eight, a district is entitled to an annual allotment of
$50.
(b) Funds allocated under this section must be used to
provide technology applications courses in computer programming to
students in grades two through eight.
SECTION 3. Not later than March 1, 2018, the State Board of
Education shall review and update the essential knowledge and
skills of the technology applications curriculums in grades two
through eight to ensure that the essential knowledge and skills
incorporate relevant standards for computer programming.
SECTION 4. This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018
school year.
SECTION 5. 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, 2017.