BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 21

By: Shelton

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that some parents and school administrators claim that students deserve to have the most talented and effective teachers leading classes. Interested parties assert that current law could potentially mandate that a talented teacher with 15 years of experience would be laid off before a teacher with 16 years of experience who is a poor performer. The parties observe that this is not always in the best interest of students.

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

The bill amends the Education Code § 21.157 to read as follows:

A teacher employed under a continuing contract may be released at the end of a school year and the teacher's employment with the school district terminated at that time because of a necessary reduction of personnel by the school district.

The bill also amends the Education Code § 21.157 by striking, with those reductions made in the reverse order of seniority in the specific teaching fields.

EFFECTIVE DATE

91st day after the last day of the legislative session.