|
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to the administration of mathematics, science, and |
|
technology teacher preparation academies at institutions of higher |
|
education. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Section 21.462, Education Code, is transferred |
|
to Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, redesignated as |
|
Section 61.0766, Education Code, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 61.0766 [21.462]. MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, AND |
|
TECHNOLOGY TEACHER PREPARATION ACADEMIES. (a) From funds |
|
appropriated for that purpose, the board [Texas Higher Education
|
|
Coordinating Board] shall establish academies at institutions of |
|
higher education to improve the instructional skills of teachers |
|
certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, and train students |
|
enrolled in a teacher preparation program to perform at the highest |
|
levels in mathematics, science, and technology. The |
|
[coordinating] board may adopt rules as necessary to administer |
|
this section. |
|
(b) Before an institution of higher education establishes |
|
an academy under this section, the institution must apply through a |
|
competitive process, as determined by the board [Texas Higher
|
|
Education Coordinating Board], and meet any requirements |
|
established by the [coordinating] board for designation as an |
|
academy under this section and continued funding. The |
|
institution of higher education must have a teacher preparation |
|
program approved by the State Board for Educator Certification or |
|
be affiliated with a program approved by the State Board for |
|
Educator Certification [board]. |
|
(c) A participant in an academy program must be: |
|
(1) an experienced teacher who: |
|
(A) is recommended by a school district; and |
|
(B) has at least two [five] years experience |
|
teaching mathematics, science, or technology in assignments for |
|
which the teacher met all certification requirements; or |
|
(2) a teacher preparation program candidate who has or |
|
will graduate with a degree in mathematics, science, or technology. |
|
(d) An academy program shall: |
|
(1) offer a masters-level degree as part of the |
|
program on a schedule that allows a teacher participant to complete |
|
the program and degree while employed as a teacher; |
|
(2) coordinate with the mathematics, science, and |
|
technology departments of the institution of higher education |
|
operating the program to facilitate the ability of: |
|
(A) academy participants to take advanced |
|
courses and qualify for degrees; and |
|
(B) teacher preparation program candidates |
|
pursuing mathematics, science, or technology degrees to |
|
participate in academy programs; |
|
(3) integrate advanced subject-matter coursework with |
|
instructional methodology and curriculum delivery; and |
|
(4) focus on strengthening instructional skills. |
|
(e) An academy program may: |
|
(1) provide financial assistance for the purpose of |
|
allowing participants to complete the program and obtain a master |
|
teacher certificate under Section 21.0482, 21.0483, or 21.0484; |
|
(2) include programs in leadership skills to develop |
|
training, mentoring, and coaching skills; |
|
(3) deliver coursework electronically for some or all |
|
of the program; and |
|
(4) provide for ongoing professional development and |
|
coordination with specific public school instructional programs. |
|
SECTION 2. Section 39.363, Education Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 39.363. FUNDING FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS. (a) From funds |
|
appropriated, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall |
|
allocate $8.75 million each year to establish mathematics, science, |
|
and technology teacher preparation academies under Section 61.0766 |
|
[21.462] and implement and administer the program under Section |
|
29.098. |
|
(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall |
|
establish mathematics, science, and technology teacher preparation |
|
academies under Section 61.0766 [21.462] and implement and |
|
administer the program under Section 29.098 in a manner consistent |
|
with the goals of this subchapter and the goals in "Closing the |
|
Gaps," the state's master plan for higher education. |
|
SECTION 3. Subsection (b), Section 39.365, Education Code, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) Not later than March 1 and September 1 of each year, the |
|
commissioner of education shall prepare and deliver a progress |
|
report to the presiding officers of the standing committees of each |
|
house of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over public |
|
education, the Legislative Budget Board, and the Governor's Office |
|
of Policy and Planning on: |
|
(1) the implementation of Sections 7.031, 21.4511, |
|
21.4541, [21.462,] 28.008(d-1), 28.0212(d), 29.095-29.098, 29.911, |
|
29.917-29.919, and 39.115 and this subchapter; |
|
(2) the programs supported by grants approved under |
|
this subchapter; and |
|
(3) the alignment of grants and programs to the |
|
strategic plan adopted under Section 39.357. |
|
SECTION 4. 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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
______________________________ |
|
President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
|
|
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2262 passed the Senate on |
|
April 30, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Secretary of the Senate |
|
|
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2262 passed the House on |
|
May 27, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 148, Nays 0, one |
|
present not voting. |
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
|
|
|
|
|
Approved: |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Governor |