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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to teacher retention demonstration projects in public |
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schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 21.460 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.460. TEACHER RETENTION DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS. |
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(a) From funds appropriated to the agency for purposes of this |
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section, the commissioner may provide grants to school districts to |
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design and implement teacher retention demonstration projects that |
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employ innovative, research-based practices to identify and retain |
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highly effective teachers. |
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(b) A school district may use funds received under this |
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section to: |
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(1) implement teacher recruitment and selection |
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strategies focused on attracting new and experienced teachers who |
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have deep content knowledge and a commitment to long-term |
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participation in the teaching profession; |
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(2) implement alternative certification programs that |
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prepare individuals who have deep content knowledge and outstanding |
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academic or professional achievement for long-term participation |
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in the teaching profession; |
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(3) implement induction and mentoring programs that |
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incorporate research-based practices, including common planning |
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times and collaboration among new and experienced teachers; |
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(4) implement campus governance models that engage |
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teachers in leading campus management activities, including |
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student assessment data analysis, professional development |
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planning, instructional coaching, and resource allocation; |
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(5) implement differentiated compensation plans that |
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address teaching shortages in specific subject areas, |
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instructional weaknesses at underperforming campuses, limited |
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advanced academic course offerings, or other critical needs |
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identified by the district; or |
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(6) to the extent approved by the commissioner, |
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implement other research-based strategies designed to improve |
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teacher retention rates. |
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(c) The commissioner shall develop and implement an |
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evaluation plan to identify the teacher retention demonstration |
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projects most effective in increasing the retention of effective |
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teachers. The evaluation must include an analysis of the |
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relationship between specific teacher preparation models and |
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teacher effectiveness and retention. The commissioner shall |
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disseminate evaluation findings through a statewide communication |
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initiative. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |