79R5262 PAM-F

By:  Van de Putte                                                 S.B. No. 493



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to reducing paperwork required of school districts and 
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.  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 repeated complaints submitted to 
the agency concerning imposition of excessive paperwork 
requirements on classroom teachers; or
		(9)  as the commissioner otherwise determines 
necessary.             
	SECTION 3.  Section 39.075(a), Education Code, as amended by 
this Act, applies beginning with the 2005-2006 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, 2005.