BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1474

By: Duncan

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties point to a need for a process for school districts to follow before any major curriculum initiative is adopted in order to give the districts the opportunity to obtain feedback while deciding if any proposed curriculum meets district needs. S.B. 1474 seeks to address this issue.

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

S.B. 1474 amends the Education Code to require a school district, before the adoption of a major curriculum initiative, including the use of a curriculum management system, to use a process that includes teacher input; provides district employees with the opportunity to express opinions regarding the initiative; and includes a meeting of the district's board of trustees at which information regarding the initiative is presented, including the cost of the initiative and any alternatives that were considered, and at which members of the public and district employees are given the opportunity to comment regarding the initiative.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.