84R14300 PAM-F
 
  By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 2051
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the study of public education performance.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 2, Education Code, is amended
  by adding Chapter 9 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 9. CENTER FOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION
         Sec. 9.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Board" means the Center for Performance
  Information for Public Education Board.
               (2)  "Center" means the Center for Performance
  Information for Public Education.
         Sec. 9.002.  CENTER FOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC
  EDUCATION. (a)  The Center for Performance Information for Public
  Education is created as an independent policy center.
         (b)  The center shall represent business, finance, public
  policy, education, and other interests considered appropriate by
  the center.
         (c)  In performing the duties provided by this chapter, the
  center shall:
               (1)  work directly with the governor, lieutenant
  governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and members of
  the legislature; and
               (2)  work with the agency and other state agencies,
  regional education service centers, school districts, and
  open-enrollment charter schools.
         Sec. 9.003.  CENTER DUTIES.  (a)  The center shall promote
  the use of successful methods to increase performance at the school
  district and campus levels.
         (b)  The center shall evaluate and rank the performance of
  each school district, campus, and open-enrollment charter school
  and provide a progress report and recommendations each year to:
               (1)  the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the
  house of representatives, Legislative Budget Board, commissioner,
  and State Board of Education; and
               (2)  districts, campuses, and open-enrollment charter
  schools.
         (c)  The center may assist the legislature with policy
  studies related to the center's duties. The center may participate
  in collaborative studies with a foundation or organization inside
  or outside this state related to the center's duties.
         (d)  The center shall seek information, data, and best
  practices from state, regional, and national sources to use in
  performing the center's duties provided by this chapter.
         (e)  The center may contract with independent experts,
  academic scholars, and other appropriate professionals in
  performing the center's duties provided by this chapter.
         Sec. 9.004.  BOARD.  (a)  The Center for Performance
  Information for Public Education Board is created as the primary
  policy-making body of the center.
         (b)  The board is composed of three members. The governor,
  lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
  shall each appoint one member. The board members appointed under
  this section must include individuals in the private sector who
  have an interest in improving performance in public education and
  significant experience in organizational management, finance, or
  business. A board member may not:
               (1)  be a member of the board of trustees or an employee
  of a school district or a member of the governing body or an
  employee of or a charter holder of a charter for an open-enrollment
  charter school; or
               (2)  have a financial relationship with a vendor or
  contractor who provides goods or services to any part of the public
  education system of this state.
         (c)  Board members serve four-year terms.
         (d)  Board members shall annually elect one member as the
  presiding officer.
         (e)  A board member may not receive a salary for services as a
  board member but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in
  attending board meetings.
         Sec. 9.005.  BOARD DUTIES. (a)  The board shall study the
  elements of an effective and efficient system of public free
  schools and make recommendations to:
               (1)  improve the performance of the public education
  system to meet the demands of the current century;
               (2)  improve the state's ability to compete
  educationally and economically with other states and countries; and
               (3)  provide the public with information on public
  education performance.
         (b)  The board shall provide a report of the board's study
  and recommendations under Subsection (a) to:
               (1)  the Legislative Budget Board at least once each
  year; and
               (2)  the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the
  house of representatives, legislature, commissioner, and State
  Board of Education before the convening of each regular legislative
  session.
         Sec. 9.006.  SUPPORT FOR PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES. (a)  State
  agencies, regional education service centers, school districts,
  and open-enrollment charter schools shall fully cooperate with and
  assist the center at the board's request.
         (b)  Data and information necessary to perform the center's
  duties under this chapter shall be provided at the board's request
  in a timely manner and at minimal cost. The board and center shall
  require confidentiality and other security measures for student
  data and information consistent with the Family Educational Rights
  and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g).
         Sec. 9.007.  FUNDING. The center may be funded by donations,
  grants, and legislative appropriations.
         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.