BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1433

                                                                                                                                By: Van de Putte

Education

6/6/2007

Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Texas has implemented many policies that further the state’s mission to develop a strong, decisive, community-based constituency of parents, teachers, and community leaders who work to improve student achievement throughout the state.  These policies recognize that parental involvement in a child’s schooling is one of the most important factors in determining school success.  Yet many parents, particularly low-income parents, may risk job loss or professional hardship if they take time off to attend a parent-teacher conference or other school function.

S.B. 1433 requires the State Board of Education to create the Employers for Education Excellence Award, to encourage businesses to implement policies that allow their employees to attend parent-teacher conferences, volunteer at schools, and participate in mentoring programs.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 7, Education Code, by adding Section 7.113, as follows:

Sec. 7.113.  EMPLOYERS FOR EDUCATION EXCELLENCE AWARD.  (a)  Requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to create the Employers for Education Excellence Award (award), to honor employers that implement a policy to encourage and support employees who actively participate in school activities.

(b)  Authorizes an employer meeting the criteria described by this section to apply for consideration to receive the award.

(c)  Requires SBOE to establish the levels of recognition for employers as set forth in this subsection.

(d)  Requires SBOE to establish criteria to certify businesses to receive the award at the appropriate recognition level.  Requires the commissioner of education (commissioner) to review the applications submitted by employers under Subsection (b) and make recommendations to SBOE regarding which businesses should be recognized and at which level.  Authorizes SBOE to approve or modify the commissioner’s recommendation.

(e)  Requires SBOE to honor the recipient of an award by presenting the recipient with a suitable certificate including the business's level of recognition and other appropriate information.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.