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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a grant program for promoting |
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computer science certification and professional development in |
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coding, technology applications, and computer science for public |
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school teachers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 21.466 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.466. COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS |
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In this section, |
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"institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 61.003. |
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(b) The commissioner shall establish a competitive |
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professional development grant program to encourage teachers to: |
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(1) obtain computer science certification; and |
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(2) continue professional development in coding, |
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computational thinking, and computer science education. |
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(c) From money appropriated for the purpose, the |
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commissioner shall make grants to eligible providers that offer: |
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(1) professional development for elementary school |
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and middle and junior high school teachers to ensure teachers |
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maintain a working knowledge of current computer industry standard |
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tools and resources; and |
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(2) training for computer science certification for |
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teachers in accordance with certification requirements adopted by |
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the State Board for Educator Certification. |
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(d) To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a |
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provider must: |
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(1) be an institution of higher education, regional |
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education service center, or school district or partnership of |
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multiple school districts or a nonprofit entity approved by the |
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commissioner that has demonstrated experience in providing |
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professional development through a statewide network; and |
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(2) meet eligibility standards established by |
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commissioner rule. |
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(e) An eligible provider receiving a grant under this |
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section must: |
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(1) provide the training or professional development |
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described by Subsection (c) and establish professional development |
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hubs in each education service center region; |
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(2) serve high-need campuses; |
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(3) have established partnerships with institution of |
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higher education faculty with expertise in computing and computer |
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science education; and |
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(4) develop partnerships with computer industry |
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professionals. |
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(f) The total amount of grants awarded under this section |
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for a state fiscal biennium may not exceed $4 million. |
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(g) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to |
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implement this section. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 31, 2021, the |
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commissioner of education shall establish the grant program |
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required under Section 21.466, Education Code, as added by this |
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Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |