S.B. No. 578




AN ACT

relating to awards granted under the Texas Advanced Placement 
Incentive Program.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 28.053, Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:   
	Sec. 28.053.  TYPES OF AWARDS.  (a)  A school participating 
in the program may be awarded:
		(1)  a one-time $3,000 equipment grant for providing a 
college advanced placement course or international baccalaureate 
course to be paid to a school based on need as determined by the 
commissioner; and
		(2)  $100 for each student who scores a three or better 
on a college advanced placement test or four or better on an 
international baccalaureate examination.
	(b)  Funds awarded under Subsection (a) shall be used in the 
manner determined by the campus team established, by the principal, 
under Subsection (c).
	(c)  The principal of each school participating in the 
program shall convene, at least annually, a team composed of not 
more than five members, with not fewer than three teachers, to 
include at least one teacher participating in the program and at 
least one teacher who teaches students in preparation for their 
participation in the program, for the purpose of determining the 
use of funds awarded under Subsection (a).  Nothing in this section 
limits the authority of the team to direct expenditure of funds 
awarded under Subsection (a)(2) for awards to individual teachers 
participating in the program.
	(d)  A teacher participating in the program may be awarded:             
		(1)  subsidized teacher training, not to exceed $450 
for each teacher, for a college advanced placement course or an 
international baccalaureate course;
		(2)  a one-time award of $250 for teaching a college 
advanced placement course or an international baccalaureate course 
for the first time; and
		(3)  a share of the teacher bonus pool, which shall be 
distributed by the teacher's school in shares proportional to the 
number of courses taught.
	(e) [(c)]  To be eligible for an award under Subsection (d) 
[(b)], a teacher must teach a college advanced placement course or 
an international baccalaureate course.
	(f) [(d)]  Fifty dollars may be deposited in the teacher 
bonus pool for each student enrolled in the school that scores a 
three or better on a college advanced placement test or four or 
better on an international baccalaureate examination.
	(g) [(e)]  A student receiving a score of three or better on 
a college advanced placement test or four or better on an 
international baccalaureate examination may receive reimbursement, 
not to exceed $65, for the testing fee.  The reimbursement shall be 
reduced by the amount of any subsidy awarded by the college board or 
the International Baccalaureate Organization or under Section 
28.054.
	(h) [(f)]  The commissioner may enter into agreements with 
the college board and the International Baccalaureate Organization 
to pay for all examinations taken by eligible public school 
students.  An eligible student is one who takes a college advanced 
placement or international baccalaureate course at a public school 
or who is recommended by the student's principal or teacher to take 
the test.
	(i) [(g)]  The commissioner shall analyze and adjust, as 
needed, the sum of and number of awards to ensure that the purpose 
of the program is realized.
	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.

                                                                              




______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 578 passed the Senate on 
March 12, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 578 passed the House on 
May 28, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 133, Nays 0, two 
present not voting.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor