By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 934

(In the Senate - Filed March 4, 2015; March 9, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Education; April 16, 2015, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 11, Nays 0; April 16, 2015, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 934 By: Kolkhorst

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to providing training academies for public school teachers who provide mathematics instruction to students in kindergarten through grade three.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.4553 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.4553. TEACHER MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMIES. (a) The commissioner shall develop and make available mathematics achievement academies for teachers who provide mathematics instruction to students at the kindergarten or first, second, or third grade level.

(b) A mathematics achievement academy developed under this section must include training in effective and systematic instructional practices in mathematics, including measurement, problem solving, and analyzing and describing geometric shapes, figures, and patterns.

(c) The commissioner shall adopt criteria for selecting teachers who may attend a mathematics achievement academy. In adopting selection criteria under this subsection, the commissioner shall require granting a priority to teachers employed by a school district at a campus at which 50 percent or more of the students enrolled are educationally disadvantaged.

(d) From funds appropriated for that purpose, a teacher who attends a mathematics achievement academy is entitled to receive a stipend in the amount determined by the commissioner. A stipend received under this subsection is not considered in determining whether a district is paying the teacher the minimum monthly salary under Section 21.402.

(e) On request of the commissioner, regional education service centers shall assist the commissioner and agency with training and other activities relating to the development and operation of mathematics achievement academies.

SECTION 2. 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, 2015.

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