85R5123 MK-D
By: Bohac, Howard, Cyrier H.B. No. 588
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a grant program for promoting
computer science certification and professional development for
public school teachers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.416 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.416. COMPUTER SCIENCE CERTIFICATION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) The commissioner shall establish a computer science
certification grant program to encourage teachers to:
(1) become certified as computer science teachers; and
(2) continue professional development in computer
science education.
(b) From funds appropriated for that purpose, the
commissioner shall make grants to eligible providers that offer:
(1) training for computer science certification for
teachers in accordance with certification requirements adopted by
the State Board for Educator Certification; and
(2) professional development for currently certified
computer science teachers to ensure certified teachers maintain
working knowledge of current industry standard tools and resources.
(c) To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a
provider must:
(1) be:
(A) an institution of higher education;
(B) a regional education service center;
(C) an independent school district or a
partnership of multiple independent school districts; or
(D) a nonprofit entity approved by the
commissioner that has demonstrated experience in providing
professional development in the area of educational technology; and
(2) meet eligibility standards established by
commissioner rule.
(d) An eligible provider receiving a grant under this
section must:
(1) provide the training or professional development
described by Subsection (b) to teachers in at least three high-need
school districts, as determined by commissioner rule; and
(2) in each school year, successfully provide the
training necessary to enable at least 10 teachers to receive
computer science certification.
(e) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to
implement this section.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 31, 2017, the
commissioner of education shall establish the grant program
required under Section 21.416, Education Code, as added by this
Act.
SECTION 3. 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.