81R7046 CAS-F

By: Weber H.B. No. 4015

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to reducing the written information that public school educators can be required to provide.

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

SECTION 1. Section 7.060(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The commissioner shall adopt a policy that limits written reports and other paperwork that a principal or classroom teacher may be required by the agency to complete. The policy must include a provision that any rule adopted by the commissioner must state whether the rule requires a principal or classroom teacher to complete a written report or other paperwork.

SECTION 2. Section 11.164, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a) The board of trustees of each school district shall limit redundant requests for information and the number and length of written reports that a classroom teacher is required to prepare. A classroom teacher may not be required to prepare any written information other than:

(1) any report concerning the health, safety, or welfare of a student;

(2) a report of a student's grade on an assignment or examination;

(3) a report of a student's academic progress in a class or course to the extent required in carrying out Section 28.022;

(4) a report of a student's grades at the end of each grade reporting period;

(5) a textbook report;

(6) a unit or weekly lesson plan that outlines, in a brief and general manner, the information to be presented during each period at the secondary level or in each subject or topic at the elementary level;

(7) an attendance report;

(8) any report required for accreditation review;

(9) any information required by a school district that relates to a complaint, grievance, or actual or potential litigation and that requires the classroom teacher's involvement; or

(10) any information specifically required by law, rule, or regulation.

(a-1) For purposes of this section, preparation of written information includes the submission or compilation of information using a computer program, Internet website, or other electronic method.

SECTION 3. Section 39.075(b-1), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b-1) The commissioner may authorize special accreditation investigations to be conducted in response to repeated complaints submitted to the agency concerning imposition of excessive paperwork requirements on classroom teachers. The commissioner shall establish and publicize among classroom teachers and any other appropriate persons a process by which complaints can be made concerning imposition of excessive paperwork requirements on classroom teachers.

SECTION 4. Not later than January 31, 2010, the commissioner of education shall adopt a policy as required by Section 7.060(b), Education Code, as amended by this Act. A provision that is included in the policy to comply with Section 7.060(b), Education Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to a rule adopted by the commissioner of education on or after the date the provision takes effect.

SECTION 5. Not later than January 31, 2010, the commissioner of education shall establish and publicize, as required by Section 39.075(b-1), Education Code, as amended by this Act, a process by which complaints can be made concerning imposition of excessive paperwork requirements on classroom teachers.

SECTION 6. 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, 2009.