83(R) SB 1403 - House Committee Report version

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


April 16, 2013

TO:	Honorable Dan Patrick, Chair, Senate Committee on Education

FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB1403 by Patrick (Relating to public school teachers.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1403, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($1,390,516) through the biennium ending August 31, 2015.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2014	($953,258)
2015	($437,258)
2016	($437,258)
2017	($437,258)
2018	($437,258)

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1	Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2013
2014	($953,258)	2.0
2015	($437,258)	2.0
2016	($437,258)	2.0
2017	($437,258)	2.0
2018	($437,258)	2.0

The bill would stipulate certain requirements for admissions to educator preparation programs including minimum grade point average requirements for previous higher education coursework and minimum required credit hours in the area of certification.

The bill would require that the commissioner of education adopt a framework for teacher appraisal that includes standards for the profession and teacher evaluation, identifies required elements for any teacher evaluation system in the state, and requires that multiple performance measures be incorporated. The bill would require that the commissioner of education adopt a variety of recommended appraisal processes and performance criteria within the adopted framework.

The bill would require that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) conduct an annual analysis of the regional cost of living across the state to determine if teacher salaries are comparable to salaries paid in comparable professions.

The bill would require that TEA conduct periodic audits of professional development requirements for educators to eliminate conflicting and duplicative provisions among state, local, and federal requirements.

The bill would require TEA to produce an annual report on the effectiveness of educator mentoring programs and would establish an advisory committee including members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House to develop guidelines related to teacher induction and mentoring. The bill directs that TEA provide administrative support for the committee.

The bill would establish a Teacher Allotment within the Foundation School Program that would flow an amount per classroom teacher to districts that adopt a strategic compensation plan. The bill does not specify the amount per teacher.

The bill would require TEA, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to jointly review standards applicable to educator preparation programs and develop and implement modifications to reflect current teaching standards.

The bill would require TEA to conduct a statewide survey of working conditions for public school teachers.

The bill would require public schools to conduct annual appraisals for all teachers.

To the extent that provisions related to admissions requirements for educator preparation programs results in decreased enrollment at institutions of higher education, those institutions would have a decrease in tuition revenue and there could be general revenue savings associated with the formula.

TEA indicates it would require 2.0 additional FTEs to implement the provisions of the bill at an estimated cost of $153,258 in FY2014 and $137,258 in each subsequent year from General Revenue Funds inclusive of salary, benefits, and other operating expenses.

TEA estimates a cost of $500,000 in FY2014 and $300,000 in each subsequent year for the annual cost of living analysis required by the bill. TEA estimates a $300,000 cost in FY2014 to contract for the statewide survey of working conditions for public school teachers.

Local Government Impact

School districts would be required to conduct annual appraisals for each teacher. The cost of implementing this provision would vary among districts.