SRC-JEC, MSY S.B. 578 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 578
By: Shapiro
Education
6/13/2003
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Although schools which participate in the Advanced Placement (AP) program
receive a $3000 equipment grant and $100 for each student who scores a 3
or higher on an AP test, current law provides no guidelines for
determining the use of those funds.  S.B. 578 requires principals of
schools participating in the AP program to assemble a team of teachers
experienced with the program to determine the use of the award funds.  In
addition, S.B. 578 specifically allows that campus team to direct funds to
award individual teachers in the program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 28.053, Education Code, by adding Subsections
(b) and (c), as follows: 

(b)  Requires funds awarded under Subsection (a) to be used in the manner
determined by the campus team established by the principal under
Subsection (c). 

(c)  Requires the principal of each school participating in the program to
convene, at least once a year, a team of no more than five people,
including at least three teachers, who meet certain requirements for the
purpose of determining the use of funds awarded under Subsection (a).
Prohibits anything in this section from limiting the authority of the team
to direct expenditure of funds awarded under Subsection (a)(2) for awards
of individual teachers participating in the program. 

Creates Subsection (d) from existing text.  Redesignates Subsections
(c)-(g) as (e)-(i).  Makes a nonsubstantive change. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.