SRC-ARR S.B. 724 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 724
76R4381 BDH-DBy: Zaffirini
Education
4/14/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas offers certain state statewide programs for teacher
continuing education that are targeted at specific groups.  S.B. 724 would
authorizes the Texas Education Agency to contract with public and private
entities for continuing education programs.    

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 724 provides continuing education courses and programs
for public school educators. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Education Coordinating Board
in SECTION 2 (Section 61.051(s), Education Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 21B, Education Code, to add Section 21.0541, as
follows: 

Sec. 21.0541. CONTRACTS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION. Authorizes the Texas
Education Agency (agency) to contract with a public or private entity,
including an entity that receives funds from the National Endowment for the
Humanities under U.S.C. Section 956, for the provision of continuing
education courses and programs that fulfill educators' continuing education
requirements. Requires a continuing education course or program provided
under this section to take certain action. Requires  an entity seeking a
contract with the agency under Subsection (a) to demonstrate to the agency
a history of providing courses and programs that meet the requirements of
this section. Requires an entity contracting with the agency under
Subsection (a) to enter into agreements with institutions of higher
education representing all geographic regions of the state to sponsor and
conduct courses or programs. Sets forth requirements of the agreement.
Requires the agency to pay an entity under a contract under Subsection (a)
from funds appropriated for that purpose. Requires the entity to use money
received under the contract to pay for certain items. Requires an educator
seeking to attend a course or program offered under this section to apply
through the institution of higher education sponsoring the course or
program. Requires an institution providing a course or program under this
section to give preference to applications from educators with 10 or more
years of educator experience and may not admit more than 25 educators for
each course or program. Requires the state auditor to annually audit each
contract entered into under Subsection (a). 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 61.051, Education Code, by adding Subsection (s),
to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules
that require institutions of higher education to give credit as higher
education course work to a continuing education course or program provided
under Section 21.0541. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.  

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.