85S12681 MEW-F

By: Clardy, et al. H.B. No. 198

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 198:

By: Huberty C.S.H.B. No. 198

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study on an average pay increase for classroom teachers, the creation of certain teacher designations, teacher retention, and a teacher quality allotment under the Foundation School Program.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.010 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.010. STUDY ON AVERAGE PAY INCREASE FOR TEACHERS, TEACHER DESIGNATIONS, TEACHER RETENTION, AND TEACHER QUALITY ALLOTMENT. (a) A committee is established to study and make recommendations regarding an average pay increase for classroom teachers, the creation of certain teacher designations, teacher retention, and a teacher quality allotment under the Foundation School Program.

(b) The committee is composed of 13 members, consisting of:

(1) six members appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(2) six members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(3) the commissioner or the commissioner's designee.

(c) The appointments made by the lieutenant governor must consist of:

(1) three members of the senate;

(2) a leader of the community;

(3) a classroom teacher; and

(4) a superintendent of a school district.

(d) The appointments made by the speaker of the house of representatives must consist of:

(1) three members of the house of representatives;

(2) a leader of the business community;

(3) a classroom teacher; and

(4) an elected member of the board of trustees of a school district.

(e) The lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of representatives shall each designate a co-chair from among the committee members.

(f) The recommendations regarding an average pay increase for classroom teachers must include recommendations on:

(1) a requirement that school districts and open-enrollment charter schools ensure that the average annual pay for classroom teachers employed at the district or school is either:

(A) at least $1,000 more than the average annual pay for classroom teachers employed at that district or school during the school year immediately preceding the previous school year; or

(B) equal to or greater than $51,000; and

(2) exceptions to the requirements described by Subdivision (1).

(g) The recommendations regarding the creation of teacher designations must include recommendations on:

(1) the creation of a tiered approach to teacher designations that includes designations as an accomplished, distinguished, or master teacher;

(2) the eligibility criteria, requirements, and credentials required for designation as an accomplished, distinguished, or master teacher; and

(3) methods of finance for a school district, open-enrollment charter school, or the state to pay for a classroom teacher to pursue a teacher designation.

(h) The recommendations regarding teacher retention must include recommendations on how to retain quality teachers, including mentoring programs.

(i) The recommendations regarding a teacher quality allotment must include recommendations on creating an allotment under the Foundation School Program that provides school districts and open-enrollment charter schools funding for classroom teachers with teacher designations, including increased funding for classroom teachers who are assigned by a school district or open-enrollment charter school to a campus at which a majority of students are educationally disadvantaged or who are employed by a school district or open-enrollment charter school that qualifies as rural.

(j) Not later than September 1, 2018, the committee shall submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives a report on the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action.

(k) This section expires January 1, 2019.

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 on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.