SRC-JEC, MSY C.S.S.B. 815 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 815
78R15005 SLO-FBy: Van de Putte
Education
5/7/2003
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a school district is required to offer both foundation and
enrichment curricula. However, as a condition of accreditation, a school
district is required to provide instruction using the Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in the foundation curriculum, whereas in the
enrichment curriculum, the TEKS standards are only required to be used as
guidelines. C.S.S.B. 815 repeals language describing the requirements for
the enrichment curriculum and provides that a school district must provide
instruction of certain essential knowledge and skills in the enrichment
curriculum as a condition of accreditation.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of education
in SECTION  1 (Section 28.002, Education Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 28.002, Education Code, by amending Subsection
(c) and adding Subsection (c-1), as follows: 

(c) Amends a reference to the "foundation curriculum" to read "required
curriculum." 

(c-1)  Authorizes a district to apply to the commissioner of education
(commissioner) for an extension in complying with the rules adopted by the
State Board of Education (SBOE) under Subsection (c), as amended by this
Act.  Authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules as necessary for the
implementation of this subsection.  Provides that this subsection expires
September 1, 2005. 

SECTION 2.  Repealer:  Section 28.002(d), Education Code (requiring SBOE
to identify essential knowledge and skills of each subject of the
enrichment curriculum, and requiring each district to use the knowledge
and skills identified SBOE as instructional guidelines). 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.