78R972 BDH-D
By: Grusendorf H.B. No. 317
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to teacher mentor and induction programs in public
schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.005 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.005. TEACHER MENTOR AND INDUCTION PROGRAMS. (a) To
the extent that funds are available, the commissioner shall make
grants to school districts of:
(1) $3,000 for each new teacher employed by the
district who holds a certificate under Section 21.049 or a permit
under Section 21.055; and
(2) $1,000 for each new teacher employed by the
district who holds a certificate under Section 21.044 or 21.052.
(b) A school district shall use money received under
Subsection (a) only to support one or more of the following in the
district:
(1) a mentor or induction program for new teachers;
(2) employment of new teachers under a 12-month
contract that provides training and professional development;
(3) signing bonuses for employment of new teachers in
shortage areas; or
(4) payment of college tuition for appropriate
semester credit hours received by a new teacher.
SECTION 2. Section 824.602(a), Government Code, as amended
by Chapters 567 and 1229, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular
Session, 2001, is amended to read as follows:
(a) Subject to Section 825.506, the retirement system may
not, under Section 824.601, withhold a monthly benefit payment if
the retiree is employed in a Texas public educational institution:
(1) as a substitute only with pay not more than the
daily rate of substitute pay established by the employer and, if the
retiree is a disability retiree, the employment has not exceeded a
total of 90 days in the school year;
(2) in a position, other than as a substitute, on no
more than a one-half time basis for the month;
(3) in one or more positions on as much as a full-time
basis, if the work occurs in not more than six months of a school
year that begins after the retiree's effective date of retirement;
(4) in a position, other than as a substitute, on no
more than a one-half time basis for no more than 90 days in the
school year, if the retiree is a disability retiree;
(5) in a position as a classroom teacher on as much as
a full-time basis, if the retiree has retired under Section
824.202(a), is certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education
Code, to teach the subjects assigned, is teaching in an acute
shortage area as determined by the board of trustees of a school
district as provided by Subsection (m), and has been separated from
service with all public schools for at least 12 months; [or]
(6) in a position as a principal, including as an
assistant principal, on as much as a full-time basis, if the retiree
has retired under Section 824.202(a) without reduction for
retirement at an early age, is certified under Subchapter B,
Chapter 21, Education Code, to serve as a principal, and has been
separated from service with all public schools for at least 12
months; [.]
(7) [(6)] as a bus driver for a school district on as
much as a full-time basis, if the retiree has retired under Section
824.202(a); or
(8) in a position as a mentor for a classroom teacher
on as much as a full-time basis, if the retiree:
(A) retired under Section 824.202(a) without
reduction for retirement at an early age;
(B) is certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21,
Education Code;
(C) has been separated from service with all
public schools for at least 12 months; and
(D) taught in a public school for at least 10
years and demonstrated:
(i) outstanding classroom teaching
ability;
(ii) talent in written and oral
communications;
(iii) the ability to work cooperatively and
effectively with other professional staff; and
(iv) extensive knowledge of a variety of
classroom management and instructional techniques.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and
applies beginning with the 2003-2004 school year.