78R3523 BDH-D

By:  Crownover                                                    H.B. No. 1024



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to staff development requirements in public schools.                 
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 21.451(a), Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
	[(a)]  The staff development provided by a school district 
must be:
		(1)  conducted in accordance with [minimum] standards 
developed by the district; and
		(2)  designed to improve education in the district
[commissioner for program planning, preparation, and improvement.  
The staff development:
		[(1)  must include training in:                              
			[(A)  technology;                                           
			[(B)  conflict resolution; and                              
			[(C)  discipline strategies, including classroom 
management, district discipline policies, and the student code of 
conduct adopted under Section 37.001 and Chapter 37;
		[(2)  must include training that:                            
			[(A)  relates to instruction of students with 
disabilities;  and
			[(B)  is designed for educators who work primarily 
outside of the area of special education;  and
		[(3)  may include instruction as to what is permissible 
under law, including opinions of the United States Supreme Court, 
in regard to prayers in public school].
	SECTION 2.  Sections 21.451(b) and (c), Education Code, are 
repealed.        
	SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 
school year.       
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.