By: Shapiro S.B. No. 1460

(In the Senate - Filed March 6, 2009; March 17, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Education; April 17, 2009, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 1; April 17, 2009, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1460 By: Shapiro

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to professional development academies designed for public school teachers who provide instruction to certain students of limited English proficiency.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.4553 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.4553. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMIES FOR TEACHERS OF CERTAIN STUDENTS OF LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY. (a) The commissioner shall design, establish, and make available professional development academies for teachers who provide instruction to students of limited English proficiency at the seventh grade level or above.

(b) A professional development academy established under this section must be designed to include training for teachers in research-based practices for:

(1) improving general English language development in students of limited English proficiency;

(2) teaching students of limited English proficiency at the seventh grade level or above the English language, including specific vocabulary, as necessary for the students to understand and succeed academically in reading and other English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies; and

(3) improving access to learning by students of limited English proficiency.

(c) The commissioner by rule shall require a teacher for whom an area of deficiency related to the instruction of students of limited English proficiency has been identified under the recommended or locally developed appraisal system under Section 21.352(c) to attend a professional development academy established under this section if the teacher provides instruction:

(1) at the seventh grade level or above;

(2) at a campus at which, as determined by the commissioner in accordance with commissioner rule, the academic performance of students of limited English proficiency needs improvement; and

(3) in a bilingual education or special language program or to students of limited English proficiency in reading, English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies.

(d) The commissioner by rule shall adopt criteria for the selection of teachers, other than teachers described by Subsection (c), who may attend a professional development academy established under this section, giving priority to teachers providing instruction at the seventh grade level or above in a bilingual education or special language program or to students of limited English proficiency in reading, English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies at campuses described by Subsection (c)(2).

(e) From funds appropriated for the purpose, a teacher who attends a professional development academy established under this section is entitled to receive a stipend in the amount determined by the commissioner. A stipend received under this subsection is not considered in determining whether a district is paying the teacher the minimum monthly salary under Section 21.402.

(f) On request of the commissioner, regional education service centers shall assist the commissioner and agency with activities related to the design, establishment, and operation of professional development academies under this section. The commissioner may seek additional assistance from other public and private providers.

(g) From funds appropriated for purposes of this section, the commissioner shall conduct or contract with a public or private entity to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the professional development academies established under this section. The evaluation must:

(1) use qualitative, quantitative, and expert review methodologies, including:

(A) direct observations;

(B) follow-up interviews and surveys with participating teachers and administrators; and

(C) analysis of student data submitted through the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) and student assessment results to measure academic progress achieved by students receiving instruction from teachers who have attended a professional development academy established under this section in comparison to:

(i) academic progress achieved by those students in preceding years; and

(ii) academic progress achieved by students of limited English proficiency receiving instruction from teachers who have not attended a professional development academy; and

(2) include an analysis of financial data to assess the cost-effectiveness of the professional development academies.

(h) Not later than December 1, 2012, the commissioner shall prepare and deliver to each member of the legislature a report describing the results of the evaluation required by Subsection (g). Subsection (g) and this subsection expire September 1, 2013.

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, 2009.

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