80R8241 PAM-D

By: Eissler H.B. No. 2495

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the Texas Education Agency's online clearinghouse of information concerning best practices for public schools and open-enrollment charter schools.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 7.009, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 7.009. BEST PRACTICES; CLEARINGHOUSE. (a) In coordination with the Legislative Budget Board, the agency shall establish an online clearinghouse of information relating to best practices of campuses, [and] school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools regarding instruction, public school finance, resource allocation, and business practices. To the extent practicable, the agency shall ensure that information provided through the online clearinghouse is specific, actionable information relating to the best practices of high-performing and highly efficient campuses, [and] school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools rather than general guidelines relating to campus, [and] school district, and open-enrollment charter school operation. The information must be accessible by campuses, school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and interested members of the public.

(b) The agency shall solicit and collect from the Legislative Budget Board, centers for education research established under Section 1.005, [and] exemplary or recognized school districts, campuses, and open-enrollment charter schools, as rated under Section 39.072, and campuses, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools identified under Subsection (c-1) examples of best practices relating to instruction, public school finance, resource allocation, and business practices, including best practices relating to curriculum, scope and sequence, compensation and incentive systems, bilingual education and special language programs, compensatory education programs, and the effective use of instructional technology, including online courses.

(c) The agency shall contract for the services of one or more third-party contractors to develop, implement, and maintain a system of collecting and evaluating the best practices of campuses, [and] school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools as provided by this section. In addition to any other considerations required by law, the agency must consider an applicant's demonstrated competence and qualifications in analyzing campus, [and] school district, and open-enrollment charter school practices in awarding a contract under this subsection.

(c-1) The system developed under Subsection (c) must be capable of evaluating campuses, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools using statistical analyses of performance data of campuses, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools of similar demographics and identify those campuses, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools that are high-performing and highly efficient. The information described by this subsection must be accessible by campuses, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools and presented in a manner that is clear and easy to understand.

(d) The commissioner may purchase from available funds curriculum and other instructional or analytical tools identified under this section to provide for use by school districts and open-enrollment charter schools.

(e) Regional education service centers shall assist school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in:

(1) using any instructional or analytical tools provided by the commissioner under Subsection (d); and

(2) implementing best practices included in the online clearinghouse under this section.

SECTION 2. 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, 2007.