79R4786 PAM-F

By:  Hamilton                                                     H.B. No. 1016



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to reducing certain burdens imposed on classroom teachers 
and other school district employees.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 7, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 7.060 to read as follows:
	Sec. 7.060.  REDUCING PAPERWORK.  (a)  The commissioner 
shall annually review and, to the greatest extent practicable, 
reduce written reports and other paperwork required of a school 
district by the agency.
	(b)  The commissioner shall adopt a policy that limits 
written reports and other paperwork that a principal or classroom 
teacher may be required to complete.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 21.4011 to read as follows:
	Sec. 21.4011.  MAXIMUM WORKDAY; MEETINGS.  (a)  A workday for 
a classroom teacher may not be more than 30 minutes longer than the 
instructional day.
	(b)  Except in the case of an emergency, a classroom teacher 
must be given at least 24 hours' notice of any meeting that is held 
outside of the teacher's regular workday as provided under 
Subsection (a).  The commissioner by rule shall define an emergency 
for purposes of this subsection.
	(c)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, a 
classroom teacher may not be required to attend more than one 
meeting each week that is held outside of the teacher's regular 
workday as provided under Subsection (a).
	SECTION 3.  Section 21.404, Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:   
	Sec. 21.404.  PLANNING AND PREPARATION TIME.  (a) Each 
classroom teacher is entitled to at least 450 minutes within each 
two-week period for instructional preparation, including 
parent-teacher conferences, evaluating students' work, and 
planning.  A planning and preparation period under this section may 
not be less than 45 minutes within the instructional day.  During a 
planning and preparation period, a classroom teacher may not be 
required to participate in any other activity.
	(b)  Each school district shall schedule at least one 
two-hour period each month during the regular workday for teachers 
to plan and collaborate with other teachers who teach the same 
subject or grade level.
	(c)  To allow teachers additional preparation and planning 
time, each school district and school shall establish a volunteer 
program under which volunteers perform most routine nonteaching 
duties, including performing clerical duties, monitoring students 
in the cafeteria, and performing routine before-school and 
after-school duties such as monitoring students at bus stops.
	SECTION 4.  Section 39.075(a), Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
	(a)  The commissioner shall authorize special accreditation 
investigations to be conducted:
		(1)  when excessive numbers of absences of students 
eligible to be tested on state assessment instruments are 
determined;
		(2)  when excessive numbers of allowable exemptions 
from the required state assessment are determined;
		(3)  in response to complaints submitted to the agency 
with respect to alleged violations of civil rights or other 
requirements imposed on the state by federal law or court order;
		(4)  in response to established compliance reviews of 
the district's financial accounting practices and state and federal 
program requirements;
		(5)  when extraordinary numbers of student placements 
in alternative education programs, other than placements under 
Sections 37.006 and 37.007, are determined;
		(6)  in response to an allegation involving a conflict 
between members of the board of trustees or between the board and 
the district administration if it appears that the conflict 
involves a violation of a role or duty of the board members or the 
administration clearly defined by this code;
		(7)  when excessive numbers of students in special 
education programs under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, are assessed 
through assessment instruments developed or adopted under Section 
39.023(b); [or]
		(8)  in response to a complaint submitted to the agency 
concerning imposition of excessive paperwork requirements on 
classroom teachers; or
		(9)  as the commissioner otherwise determines 
necessary.             
	SECTION 5.  Sections 2-4 of this Act apply beginning with the 
2005-2006 school year.
	SECTION 6.  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, 2005.