85S12681 MEW-F
By: Clardy, et al. H.B. No. 198
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 198:
By: Huberty C.S.H.B. No. 198
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study on an average pay increase for classroom
teachers, the creation of certain teacher designations, teacher
retention, and a teacher quality allotment under the Foundation
School Program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.010 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.010. STUDY ON AVERAGE PAY INCREASE FOR TEACHERS,
TEACHER DESIGNATIONS, TEACHER RETENTION, AND TEACHER QUALITY
ALLOTMENT. (a) A committee is established to study and make
recommendations regarding an average pay increase for classroom
teachers, the creation of certain teacher designations, teacher
retention, and a teacher quality allotment under the Foundation
School Program.
(b) The committee is composed of 13 members, consisting of:
(1) six members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(2) six members appointed by the speaker of the house
of representatives; and
(3) the commissioner or the commissioner's designee.
(c) The appointments made by the lieutenant governor must
consist of:
(1) three members of the senate;
(2) a leader of the community;
(3) a classroom teacher; and
(4) a superintendent of a school district.
(d) The appointments made by the speaker of the house of
representatives must consist of:
(1) three members of the house of representatives;
(2) a leader of the business community;
(3) a classroom teacher; and
(4) an elected member of the board of trustees of a
school district.
(e) The lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of
representatives shall each designate a co-chair from among the
committee members.
(f) The recommendations regarding an average pay increase
for classroom teachers must include recommendations on:
(1) a requirement that school districts and
open-enrollment charter schools ensure that the average annual pay
for classroom teachers employed at the district or school is
either:
(A) at least $1,000 more than the average annual
pay for classroom teachers employed at that district or school
during the school year immediately preceding the previous school
year; or
(B) equal to or greater than $51,000; and
(2) exceptions to the requirements described by
Subdivision (1).
(g) The recommendations regarding the creation of teacher
designations must include recommendations on:
(1) the creation of a tiered approach to teacher
designations that includes designations as an accomplished,
distinguished, or master teacher;
(2) the eligibility criteria, requirements, and
credentials required for designation as an accomplished,
distinguished, or master teacher; and
(3) methods of finance for a school district,
open-enrollment charter school, or the state to pay for a classroom
teacher to pursue a teacher designation.
(h) The recommendations regarding teacher retention must
include recommendations on how to retain quality teachers,
including mentoring programs.
(i) The recommendations regarding a teacher quality
allotment must include recommendations on creating an allotment
under the Foundation School Program that provides school districts
and open-enrollment charter schools funding for classroom teachers
with teacher designations, including increased funding for
classroom teachers who are assigned by a school district or
open-enrollment charter school to a campus at which a majority of
students are educationally disadvantaged or who are employed by a
school district or open-enrollment charter school that qualifies as
rural.
(j) Not later than September 1, 2018, the committee shall
submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
house of representatives a report on the results of the study and
any recommendations for legislative or other action.
(k) This section expires January 1, 2019.
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 on the 91st day after the last day of the
legislative session.