SRC-DPW S.B. 980 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 980
76R1820 CAG-DBy: Barrientos
Education
4/19/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Multicultural Mathematics and Science Education Cooperative
(cooperative) provides professional development in mathematics and science
to elementary school teachers and principals in economically disadvantaged
public schools in Texas.  It has been reported that TAAS scores in
mathematics for students of the cooperative teachers have increased on
average from a passing rate of 30 percent in 1993 to 74 percent in 1998.
This bill would establish a multicultural mathematics and science education
cooperative and would set forth provisions regarding the operation and
funding of the cooperative. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 980 establishes a multicultural mathematics and science
education cooperative and sets forth provisions regarding the operation and
funding of the cooperative. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board in SECTION 1 (Section 61.851(b), Chapter 61, Education Code) of this
bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Subchapter T, as
follows: 

SUBCHAPTER T. MULTICULTURAL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION COOPERATIVE

Sec. 61.851. ESTABLISHMENT OF MULTICULTURAL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE
EDUCATION COOPERATIVE.  Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board (board) to establish a multicultural mathematics and science
education cooperative (cooperative).  Authorizes the board to adopt rules
relating to the operation of the education cooperative. 

Sec. 61.852. PURPOSE OF COOPERATIVE.  Requires the cooperative to provide a
four-year training program in mathematics and science for classroom
teachers and principals of elementary schools with a predominance of
educationally disadvantaged students.   

Sec. 61.853. FUNDING. Authorizes the board to use available appropriated
funds to administer this subchapter.  Requires the board to solicit gifts
and grants from any public or private source. 

Sec. 61.854. CONTRACT WITH UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN. Requires the
board to contract with the University of Texas at Austin to assist with the
establishment and operation of the cooperative.  Authorizes the board to
provide for the payment of a portion of the contract proceeds based upon
the achievement of certain contractual milestones. 

SECTION 2. Requires the board to take all steps necessary to establish and
operate the cooperative no later than the beginning of the 2000 - 2001
school year. 

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