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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to grants for school districts and campuses providing |
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blended and individualized learning staff development activities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 21.4542 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.4542. BLENDED AND INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING STAFF |
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DEVELOPMENT GRANTS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Blended learning" means learning in an |
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environment in which classroom instruction is supplemented with |
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lectures, exercises, and tutorials that students view online at |
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their own pace, either in the classroom or at home. |
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(2) "Individualized learning" is a mastery-based |
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system of learning in which students advance in their lessons based |
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on demonstrated proficiency instead of amount of time spent in the |
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classroom. |
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(b) From funds appropriated for that purpose, the |
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commissioner by rule shall establish a program under which |
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participating school districts and campuses receive grants to |
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provide staff development activities to prepare educators to |
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implement blended learning and individualized learning |
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initiatives. |
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(c) The commissioner's rules adopted under this section |
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must: |
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(1) require a school district or campus to obtain |
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advance approval from the commissioner for the specific staff |
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development activity to be provided using grant funds; and |
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(2) permit grant funds to be used to pay incidental |
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costs related to travel and lodging associated with an educator's |
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participation in an approved staff development activity. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |