By: Perry, Hall S.B. No. 1412
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of accelerated campus excellence
turnaround plans for low-performing schools and the authority of
the commissioner of education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 39A.105, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 39A.105. CONTENTS OF CAMPUS TURNAROUND PLAN. (a) A
campus turnaround plan must include:
(1) details on the method for restructuring,
reforming, or reconstituting the campus;
(2) a detailed description of the academic programs to
be offered at the campus, including:
(A) instructional methods;
(B) length of school day and school year;
(C) academic credit and promotion criteria; and
(D) programs to serve special student
populations;
(3) if a district charter is to be granted for the
campus under Section 12.0522:
(A) the term of the charter; and
(B) information on the implementation of the
charter;
(4) written comments from:
(A) the campus-level committee established under
Section 11.251, if applicable;
(B) parents; and
(C) teachers at the campus; and
(5) a detailed description of the budget, staffing,
and financial resources required to implement the plan, including
any supplemental resources to be provided by the school district or
other identified sources.
(b) A campus may submit an accelerated campus excellence
turnaround plan as provided by this subsection. The plan must
provide:
(1) the assignment of a principal to the campus who has
demonstrated a history of improvement in student academic growth at
campuses in which the principal has previously worked;
(2) that the principal has final authority over
personnel decisions at the campus;
(3) that at least 80 percent of the classroom teachers
assigned to the campus be teachers who performed in the top quartile
of teachers in the district that employed the teacher during the
previous school year, with performance determined by:
(A) for a teacher who taught in the district
during the previous school year:
(i) the teacher's impact on student growth;
and
(ii) an evaluation of the teacher based on
classroom observation; and
(B) for a teacher who did not teach in the
district during the previous school year, data and other evidence
indicating that if the teacher had taught in the district during the
previous school year, the teacher would have performed in the top
quartile of teachers in the district;
(4) a detailed description of the employment and
compensation structures for the principal and classroom teachers,
which must include:
(A) significant incentives for a high-performing
principal or teacher to remain at the campus; and
(B) a three-year commitment by the district to
continue incentives for the principal and teachers;
(5) policies and procedures for the implementation of
best practices at the campus, including:
(A) data-driven instructional practices;
(B) a system of observation of and feedback for
classroom teachers;
(C) positive student culture on the campus;
(D) family and community engagement, including
partnerships with parent and community groups;
(E) extended learning opportunities for
students, which may include service or workforce learning
opportunities; and
(F) providing student services before or after
the instructional day that improve student performance, which may
include tutoring, extracurricular activities, counseling services,
and offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner to all students at the
campus; and
(6) assistance by a third-party provider that is
approved by the commissioner in the development and implementation
of the district's plan.
(c) The commissioner may provide guidance to districts as
necessary to implement an accelerated campus excellence turnaround
plan under Subsection (b).
SECTION 2. Section 39A.107, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (a-3) to read as follows:
(a-3) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the commissioner
shall approve a campus turnaround plan that the commissioner
determines meets the requirements for an accelerated campus
excellence turnaround plan under Section 39A.105(b).
SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 39A, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 39A.116 to read as follows:
Sec. 39A.116. COMMISSIONER AUTHORITY. A decision by the
commissioner under this subchapter is final and may not be
appealed.
SECTION 4. (a) The commissioner of education shall select
one campus that received an unacceptable rating for the 2017-2018
school year, regardless of the number of consecutive years the
campus has received an unacceptable rating, to submit an
accelerated campus excellence turnaround plan as provided by
Section 39A.105(b), Education Code, as added by this Act, for the
2019-2020 school year. The commissioner may adjust timelines
established under Chapter 39A, Education Code, for the campus
selected by the commissioner under this section for purposes of
developing and implementing the accelerated campus excellence
turnaround plan.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (a) of this section,
this Act applies beginning with the 2020-2021 school year.
SECTION 5. The commissioner of education may adopt rules
necessary to implement this Act.
SECTION 6. 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, 2019.