SRC-MAX S.B. 1221 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1221 By: Luna Education 4-12-97 As Filed DIGEST Due to the recodification of the Education Code, the paperwork limitation statute that had been in law for a decade was deleted. This statute reduced the amount of paperwork teachers were required to complete. This bill reenacts certain paperwork reduction standards and shifts the administration of this program from the State Board of Education to the Commissioner of Education. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1221 restricts the number of written reports required from public school employees. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the board of trustees of each school district in SECTION 2 (Sec. 21.410, Education Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 7.055, Education Code, by adding Subsection (c), to require the commissioner of education (commissioner) to prescribe a uniform system of forms, reports, and records, under Subsection (a)(4) in a manner that provides for simplifying and reducing the number and length of the written reports the agency requires from school districts and school district employees. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 7C, Education Code, by adding Section 7.058, as follows: Sec. 7.058. REVIEW OF WRITTEN REPORTS. Requires the commissioner, biennially, to conduct a comprehensive review of all the written reports required from school districts and school district employees in an effort to reduce the number and length of reports. Requires the commissioner to report to the legislature the number of written reports required of school districts and school district employees, the length of each of those reports, and any effort made to reduce reporting requirements. SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 21I, Education Code, by adding Section 21.410, as follows: Sec. 21.410. RESTRICTING WRITTEN REPORTS. Requires the board of trustees of each school district to adopt a policy to limit the number and length of written reports that a classroom teacher is required to prepare. Prohibits a classroom teacher from being required to prepare certain written reports. SECTION 4. Provides that SECTION 3 of this Act applies beginning with the 1997-1998 school year. SECTION 5. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.