By Flores                                             H.B. No. 2770
         77R9176 ESH-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to cooperative distance learning programs in public
 1-3     schools.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Section 29.903 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 29.903.  COOPERATIVE DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMS.
 1-8     (a)  Two or more school districts may form a cooperative distance
 1-9     learning program under this section.
1-10           (b)  A cooperative distance learning program may offer:
1-11                 (1)  high school level mathematics and science courses;
1-12     and
1-13                 (2)  college advanced placement courses, as defined by
1-14     Section 28.051.
1-15           (c)  As agreed to by the school districts that form a
1-16     distance learning program, the districts shall share the cost of
1-17     the salary of program teachers.  A program teacher who teaches for
1-18     the minimum number of hours prescribed by Section 5.001(2), whether
1-19     those hours are in a regular classroom or in a distance learning
1-20     environment, is entitled to the minimum salary prescribed by
1-21     Section 21.402.
1-22           (d)  To facilitate communication between school districts,
1-23     the commissioner may adopt rules establishing technical standards
1-24     for distance learning programs.
 2-1           SECTION 2. Section 29.903, Education Code, as added by this
 2-2     Act, applies beginning with the 2001-2002 school year.
 2-3           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
 2-4     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
 2-5     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
 2-6     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
 2-7     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.