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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an algebra instruction grant program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 29, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 29.092 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 29.092. ALGEBRA INSTRUCTION GRANT PROGRAM. (a) From |
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funds appropriated for that purpose, the commissioner shall |
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establish a program under which grants are awarded to school |
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districts to implement an algebra instruction program. From the |
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funds appropriated for use under Section 28.0211, the commissioner |
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may use not more than $50 million for the grant program provided by |
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this section. |
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(b) The commissioner shall develop a comprehensive |
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intervention plan to assist school districts with a |
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disproportionate number of students who fail to perform |
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satisfactorily on the assessment instrument administered under |
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Section 39.023(a)(1) in grades five through seven. The plan must be |
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based on high-quality research. |
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(c) The commissioner shall establish application criteria |
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for receiving a grant under this section. The criteria must require |
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a school district that applies for a grant to submit a local |
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intervention plan that meets the standards adopted by the |
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commissioner. In awarding grants under this section, the |
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commissioner shall give preference to districts with the lowest |
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rate of satisfactory performance on assessment instruments |
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administered under Section 39.023(a)(1) in grades five through |
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seven. |
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(d) A grant under this section must: |
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(1) support sustained improvement in the school |
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district's pre-algebra mathematics instruction in grades five |
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through eight; and |
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(2) target students who will be administered the |
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Algebra I end-of-course assessment instrument beginning in the |
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2011-2012 school year. |
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(e) A grant awarded under this section may be used for |
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providing: |
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(1) training and payment of state intervention coaches |
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to assist school districts in implementing the grant; |
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(2) training and instructional materials in |
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pre-algebra skills in grades five through eight; |
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(3) professional development of mathematics teachers |
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assigned to grades five through eight; |
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(4) flexibility in the school day for instruction; |
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(5) instructional services; and |
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(6) technology as part of instructional activities. |
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(f) The commissioner may condition a grant on the |
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implementation of the comprehensive intervention plan and may |
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withhold or recover any funds not spent as provided by the plan |
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approved under Subsection (b). A decision of the commissioner |
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under this subsection is final and may not be appealed. |
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(g) The commissioner may require a school district to make |
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financial and other commitments as part of a grant application. |
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(h) The commissioner shall: |
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(1) establish guidelines for implementing the grant |
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program; and |
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(2) adopt rules necessary to administer the grant |
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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, 2009. |
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