AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

One of the core functions of regional education service centers (ESCs) is to train and assist in teaching each subject area assessed under the public school accountability system.  ESCs also have the ability to create products and services at a district's request.  Under this purpose and authority, ESCs developed a curriculum management system known as CSCOPE.  This curriculum management system was designed to assist school districts in teaching the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

 

The State Board of Education (SBOE) has oversight of instructional materials in Texas, but because a curriculum management system is not considered as instructional material, there has been no SBOE oversight over CSCOPE content since its inception in the mid-2000s.

 

S.B. 1406 gives SBOE oversight over any service or product by an ESC that is curriculum-related, including instructional materials and curriculum management materials.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1406 amends current law relating to State Board of Education oversight of regional education service center services and products concerning student curriculum.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 8, Education Code, by adding Section 8.0531, as follows:

 

Sec. 8.0531.  STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION OVERSIGHT OF CURRICULUM-RELATED SERVICES AND PRODUCTS.  (a) Requires the State Board of Education, notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter (Powers and Duties) or Section 8.001(c) (relating to authorizing the commissioner of education to decide any matter concerning the operation or administration of the regional education service centers), to maintain oversight and direction of the activities of a regional education service center, acting alone or in collaboration with one or more other regional education service centers, concerning:

 

(1) any service or product related to student curriculum, or;

 

(2) integration of instructional materials with curriculum management materials for delivery of instructional materials and related materials or aids to enable public access, including parental access, in accordance with Section 26.006 (Access to Teaching Materials).

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.