BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1363

By: Shapiro

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Texas' required learning standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, lack content specificity.  These broad learning standards lead school districts to design or purchase curriculum management systems in order to further clarify the state's learning standards and meet local needs. 

This ambiguity results in inconsistent implementation of the learning standards across the state.  In addition, districts do not receive assistance or information related to the multiple curriculum management systems used and developed throughout the state.  Smaller and mid-sized districts are more limited in choice and options in regards to designing or purchasing curriculum management systems.  These districts may not have the budget, staffing, or infrastructure to support internal development of a curriculum management system and curricula or funds to purchase externally developed systems and curricula. 

S.B. 1363 requires the Texas Education Agency, in cooperation with the State Board of Education and with the participation of educators, to develop written materials that provide additional specific guidance regarding the essential knowledge and skills of each subject of the required curriculum identified by the board.

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

S.B. 1363 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Education Agency (TEA), in cooperation with the State Board of Education and with the participation of educators, to develop written materials that provide additional specific guidance regarding the essential knowledge and skills of each subject of the required curriculum identified by the board. The bill requires the materials to include appropriate clarifiers such as exemplar activities and qualifying statements. The bill requires TEA, as a resource for school districts, to evaluate curriculum management systems available in Texas, including systems developed by school districts, regional education service centers, and regional education service center cooperatives and to compile a list of curriculum management systems that conform to the essential knowledge and skills of the required curriculum identified by the board.

S.B. 1363 clarifies that it does not make an appropriation, and establishes that a provision that creates a new governmental program, creates a new entitlement, or imposes a new duty on a governmental entity is not mandatory during a fiscal period for which the legislature has not made a specific appropriation to implement the provision. The bill defines "curriculum management system."

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.