BILL ANALYSIS
By: Van de Putte
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
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.
This bill requires the State Board of Education (board) 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
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
This bill relates to the Employers for Education Excellence Award.
The bill amends Subchapter D, Chapter 7, Education Code, by adding Section 7.113 to provide that the board shall create the Employers for Education Excellence Award to honor employers that implement a policy to encourage and support employees who actively participate in activities of schools. An employer that meets the criteria described below may apply for consideration to receive the award. The board shall establish the following levels of recognition for employers: bronze for an employer that implements a policy to encourage and support employees who attend parent-teacher conferences; silver for an employer that: meets the requirements of bronze; and implements a policy to encourage and support employees who volunteer in school activities; and gold for an employer that: meets the requirements of silver; and implements a policy to encourage and support employees who participate in student mentoring programs in schools. The board shall establish criteria to certify businesses to receive the Employers for Education Excellence Award at the appropriate level of recognition. The Commissioner of Education (commissioner) shall review the applications submitted by employers and make recommendations to the board regarding businesses that should be recognized and the level at which a business should be recognized. The board may approve or modify the commissioner's recommendation. The board shall honor the recipient of an Employers for Education Excellence Award by presenting the recipient with a suitable certificate that includes the business's level of recognition and other appropriate information.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.