79S30811 SLO-F

By:  Delisi                                                       H.B. No. 84 



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to teacher retention demonstration projects in public 
schools.     
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 21.459 to read as follows:
	Sec. 21.459.  TEACHER RETENTION DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.  (a) 
In this section, "charter school" means an open-enrollment charter 
school or a college or university charter school established under 
Subchapter E, Chapter 12.
	(b)  From funds appropriated to the agency for purposes of 
this section, the commissioner may provide grants to school 
districts and charter schools to design and implement teacher 
retention demonstration projects that employ innovative, 
research-based practices to identify and retain highly effective 
teachers.
	(c)  A school district or charter school may use funds 
received under this section to:
		(1)  implement teacher recruitment and selection 
strategies focused on attracting new and experienced teachers who 
have deep content knowledge and a commitment to long-term 
participation in the teaching profession;
		(2)  implement alternative certification programs that 
prepare individuals who have deep content knowledge and outstanding 
academic or professional achievement for long-term participation 
in the teaching profession;
		(3)  implement induction and mentoring programs that 
incorporate research-based practices, including common planning 
times and collaboration among new and experienced teachers;
		(4)  implement campus governance models that engage 
teachers in leading campus management activities, including 
student assessment data analysis, professional development 
planning, instructional coaching, and resource allocation;
		(5)  implement differentiated compensation plans that 
address teaching shortages in specific subject areas, 
instructional weaknesses at underperforming campuses, limited 
advanced academic course offerings, or other critical needs 
identified by the district or charter school; or
		(6)  to the extent approved by the commissioner, 
implement other research-based strategies designed to improve 
teacher retention rates.
	(d)  The commissioner shall develop and implement an 
evaluation plan to identify the teacher retention demonstration 
projects most effective in increasing the retention of effective 
teachers.  The evaluation must include an analysis of the 
relationship between specific teacher preparation models and 
teacher effectiveness and retention.  The commissioner shall 
disseminate evaluation findings through a statewide communication 
initiative.
	SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2006-2007 
school year.       
	SECTION 3.  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 on the 91st day after the last day of the 
legislative session.