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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to establishment of a pilot program to improve mathematics |
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instruction in public 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 21.4541 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.4541. MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES PILOT |
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PROGRAM. (a) Using funds appropriated for that purpose, the |
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commissioner by rule shall establish a pilot program under which |
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participating school districts and campuses receive assistance in |
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developing the instructional expertise of teachers who instruct |
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students in mathematics at the middle school, junior high school, |
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or high school level. |
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(b) The commissioner shall select school districts and |
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campuses to participate in the pilot program that have relatively |
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low: |
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(1) levels of student performance at the middle |
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school, junior high school, or high school level on the assessment |
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instruments in mathematics required under Section 39.023; and |
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(2) numbers of teachers who are properly certified in |
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mathematics under Subchapter B. |
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(c) The commissioner shall design the pilot program so that |
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each participating school district or campus has access to the |
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services of an individual who is certified under Subchapter B to |
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teach mathematics at the appropriate grade levels and who has |
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significant experience in providing mathematics instruction to |
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students. The individual must be available to provide |
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instructional coaching to district or campus teachers who provide |
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instruction in mathematics at the middle school, junior high |
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school, or high school level. The instructional coaching may |
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include: |
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(1) providing classes to teachers on effective |
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mathematics instruction; |
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(2) providing individual tutoring to teachers |
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regarding effective mathematics instruction; or |
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(3) engaging in any other activities determined by the |
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commissioner as likely to improve the instructional skills of |
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teachers providing mathematics instruction. |
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(d) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to |
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implement the pilot program. |
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SECTION 2. 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. |