79R9620 SLO-D
By: Shapiro S.B. No. 1394
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to performance standards for gifted and talented programs
in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.124 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.124. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS; STATE FUNDING. (a)
The commissioner shall adopt the performance standards developed by
the agency under the pilot project required by Rider 52, page
III-17, Chapter 1330, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular
Session, 2003 (the General Appropriations Act), for assessing the
performance in English language arts, mathematics, science, and
social studies of students in a program for gifted and talented
students. The commissioner may adopt performance standards for
assessing the performance in other subjects or at other grade
levels of students in a program for gifted and talented students.
The commissioner shall establish the minimum level of student
performance necessary to comply with the performance standards and
may periodically raise the minimum level as the commissioner
determines necessary.
(b) A school district is not required to use the performance
standards adopted under Subsection (a).
(c) From funds appropriated for that purpose, for each
student who meets the minimum level of performance on the
performance standards adopted under Subsection (a), a school
district is entitled to $100. A school district must use funds
received under this subsection in providing a program for gifted
and talented students under this subchapter. The amount
appropriated for any fiscal year for purposes of this subsection
may not exceed $6 million.
(d) The commissioner may adopt rules necessary to
administer this section.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2005-2006
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 September 1, 2005.