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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 724
76R10021 BDH-DBy: Zaffirini
Education
4/16/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

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

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.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 a regional
education service center 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 Texas
Education Agency (agency) a history of providing courses and programs that
meet the requirements of this section.  

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.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1. 

Amends Section 21.0541, Education Code, to authorize a regional education
service center, rather than the agency, to contract certain with public or
private entities. Deletes text requiring the agency to enter into certain
agreements with institutions of higher education.