By:  Grusendorf                                                   H.B. No. 2217



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the use of funds for schools designated recognized or 
exemplary by the State Board of Education.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter H, Chapter 21, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 21.402(i) to read as follows:
	(i)  Consistent with Section 2113, Public Law 107-110, the 
education commissioner may exempt a school district that has been 
recognized or exemplary for at least two years from this section for 
the purposes of:
		(1)  developing or assisting local educational 
agencies in creating teacher advancement initiatives that promote 
professional growth and emphasize multiple career paths, such as 
paths to becoming a master or mentor teacher, and pay 
differentiation.  Compensation plans may also be created to include 
market-based compensation plans or enhanced compensation 
opportunities for senior teachers.
		(2)  to be eligible for an exemption, each school 
district must submit a compensation plan that must be approved by 
the commissioner.
	SECTION 2.  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.