SRC-DPW C.S.S.B. 876 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 876
76R14757 BDH-FBy: Shapiro
Education
5/6/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law grants the commissioner of education the authority to
"reconstitute" public schools that are rated as "low performing."  During
"reconstitution" all or part of a campus' employees are required to resign
and reapply for jobs with the district.  In Texas, this process is only
used in extreme cases.  This bill would require the commissioner of
education to establish a mandatory reconstitution process for chronic
low-performing schools to attempt to address citizens' concerns over the
plight of students who are unable to leave "low performing" public schools. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 876 sets forth criteria and procedures for restaffing
low-performing public schools. 

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 Section 39.131(b), Education Code, to authorize the
commissioner of education (commissioner) to order that some or all of the
educators employed on a campus, during a time the campus has been rated as
low-performing, for a period of two years or more to be reassigned to other
campuses or other appropriate positions in the school district. 

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 1999 - 2000
school year. 

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage. 



SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 39.131(b), Education Code, to authorize the commissioner to
order that some or all of the educators employed on a campus, during a time
the campus has been rated as lowperforming, for a period or two years or
more, to be reassigned to other campuses or other appropriate positions in
the school district.  Deletes proposed SECTION 1.