C.S.H.B. 1024 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 1024
By: Crownover
Public Education
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND
 
In the 1995 rewrite of the Education Code, the Texas Legislature supported
a state accountability system that focused on outcomes and left the
methods up to the discretion of local school districts. Currently, the
Education Code, Section 21.451, mandates at least five types of staff
development and enables the local school districts to determine the scope
of the staff development. These mandates often restrict local school
districts' ability to focus staff development on other issues, such as
student learning and educational improvement.  


PURPOSE

C.S.H.B. 1024 removes state mandated types of staff development, removes
the authority of the commissioner of education to develop minimum staff
development standards, and  provides school districts the discretion to
establish the standards and the types of staff development. 
 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 


ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1024 amends the Education Code by providing that staff
development provided by a school district must be conducted in accordance
with minimum standards developed by the district rather than the
commissioner of education. The bill deletes the provisions requiring the
commissioner of education to develop minimum public school staff
development requirements. The bill requires that staff development be
designed to improve education in the district. The bill deletes provisions
that describes what is required to be included in staff development
programs. The bill also deletes provisions that list what activities may
be included in campus staff development programs.  

These provisions apply beginning with the 2003-2004 school year.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1024 modifies the original version by deleting provisions in
Section 21.451(b) that list activities campus staff development may
include. C.S.H.B. 1024 modifies the original version by removing the
repeal of Sections 21.451(b) and (c), Education Code. 

          
EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.