SRC-ARR S.B. 875 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 875
By: Shapiro
Education
8/5/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, the school district accountability system is based entirely upon
student performance data. The Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Business
and Education Coalition (a business education advocacy group), and others
are preliminarily studying a "numbers-based" school district financial
accountability system. The financial accountability system being discussed
at a  staff level at TEA does not use the qualitative findings that local
auditors find and put in districts' audited annual financial reports sent
to TEA. S.B. 875 requires the commissioner of education to develop
proposals for a school district accountability rating system. 

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 875 requires financial accountability of school districts.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 39, Education Code, by adding Subchapter I, as
follows: 
 
SUBCHAPTER I. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Sec. 39.201. PROPOSED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY RATING SYSTEM. Requires the
commissioner of education in consultation with the comptroller to develop
proposals for a school district accountability rating system, to be
presented to the legislature no later than December 15, 2000. Provides that
this section expires September 1, 2001. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.