SRC-JJJ C.S.S.B. 3 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 3
By: Bivins
Education
4/23/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)
DIGEST
Currently, there are approximately 7,000 certified reading specialists in
Texas, but of that number, over 40 percent are not working in public
schools. While the number of reading proficient students is improving, the
state has not reached the goal of having all students reading at grade
level. C.S.S.B. 3 would establish conditions regarding master reading
teacher certification and allotments.
PURPOSE
As proposed, C.S.S.B. 3 establishes conditions regarding master reading
teacher certification and allotments.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION
1 (Sections 21.410(f) and (m), Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 21I, Education Code, by adding Section 21.410,
as follows:
Sec. 21.410. MASTER READING TEACHER GRANT PROGRAM. (a) Requires the
commissioner of education (commissioner) to establish a master reading
teacher grant program.
(b) Requires the commissioner to make grants from appropriated funds to
school districts (district) and open-enrollment charter schools (school) to
pay stipends to selected certified master reading teachers who teach at
high-need campuses.
(c) Requires the commissioner, using certain criteria, to identify each
high-need campus. Requires the commissioner to also use the criteria to
rank campuses in order of greatest need.
(d) Authorizes a district or school to apply to the commissioner for
grants for each identified high-need campus to be used to pay stipends to
certified master reading teachers. Provides that each grant is in the
amount of $5,000. Sets forth conditions by which the commissioner shall
approve an application from a district or school.
(e) Provides that a stipend under Subsection (d)(2) is in the amount of
$5,000, unless reduced under Subsection (g) or (i).
(f) Requires the commissioner to adopt rules for the distribution of
grants to districts and schools in years following the initial grant. Sets
forth conditions by which a school or district need not reapply for a grant
for two consecutive school years following the year of the initial grant.
(g) Requires the commissioner to reduce payments to a district or school
proportionately to the extent that the teacher does not meet the
requirements for the entire school year. Establishes conditions regarding
the selection by the board of trustees of the district (board) of certified
master reading teachers that shall receive a stipend in the event that
there are more certified teachers than there are stipends. Provides that
the board's decision is final and may not be appealed. Prohibits the
district or school from apportioning among teachers a stipend paid for with
a grant. Authorizes a school or district to use local money to pay
additional stipends in amounts determined by the district or school.
(h) Sets forth provisions regarding the distribution of the payment of
stipends to school and districts by the commissioner.
(i) Establishes that this section does not create a property right to a
grant or stipend. Entitles a district or school to a grant only to the
extent the commissioner makes the grant. Requires the commissioner to
reduce the grant paid to each district or school if the appropriated funds
are insufficient to fully fund the grant, and each district or school shall
reduce the stipend to each teacher, so that each teacher receives the same
amount of money.
(j) Establishes that the commissioner's decision regarding the amount of
money each district or school receives is the decision of the commissioner
and is final and may not be appealed. Requires the district or school to
provide necessary proof to the commissioner of the master reading teacher
certification of the teacher receiving the stipend.
(k) Authorizes the commissioner to audit the expenditure of appropriated
money. Requires a district's use of the appropriated money to be verified
as part of the district audit.
(l) Provides that the stipend awarded to a teacher is not to be considered
in determining whether the district is paying the teacher the minimum
monthly salary.
(m) Authorizes the commissioner to adopt other rules as necessary to
implement this section.
SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 21B, Education Code, by adding Section 21.0481,
as follows:
Sec. 21.0481. MASTER READING TEACHER CERTIFICATION. Requires the State
Board for Educator Certification (board) to issue a master reading teacher
certificate to each eligible person. Sets forth requirements to be
eligible for a master reading teacher certificate.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 822.201(b), Education Code, to redefine "salary
and wages."
SECTION 4. Requires the State Board for Education Certification to propose
rules establishing requirements and prescribing an examination for master
reading teacher certification, not later than January 1, 2000.
SECTION 5. Emergency clause.
Effective date: upon passage.
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES
SECTION 1.
Amends Section 21.410, Education Code, to establish conditions regarding
the creation of and requirements for a master reading teacher grant
program. Redesignated from proposed SECTION 2 and deletes proposed text
regarding master reading teacher allotments.
SECTION 2.
Amends Section 21.0481, Education Code, to establish certain requirements
to be eligible for a master reading teacher certification. Redesignated
from proposed SECTION 1.
SECTION 4.
Requires the State Board for Education Certification to propose rules
establishing requirements and prescribing an examination for master
reading teacher certification, not later than January 1, 2000. Deletes
proposed SECTION 4.