BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1553
85R8484 MK-D	By: Lozano (Hinojosa)
	Education
	5/15/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, school districts in Texas are subject to performance standards determined by the Texas Education Code. If a school district fails to meet accreditation criteria, fails to satisfy academic performance standards, or fails to meet any financial accountability standard, the commissioner of education may enforce a range of initiatives to improve performance. If a school district receives an accreditation status of accredited-warned or accredited-probation for two consecutive years, the commissioner may revoke the district's accreditation and order the closure of that school district.

H.B. 1553 adds the option for the commissioner to initiate a partnership between a failing school district and an institution of higher education (IHE) to improve district performance. This legislation does not force school districts and IHEs into partnerships. Rather it gives the commissioner an effective and proven tool to help failing school districts in Texas.

H.B. 1553 amends current law relating to permitting a school district that has failed to satisfy performance standards to partner with an institution of higher education to improve district performance.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 39.102(a), Education Code, as follows:

(a) Requires the commissioner of education (commissioner), if a school district does not satisfy certain standards, to take certain actions, including authorizing the district to enter into a memorandum of understanding with an institution of higher education (IHE) that provides for the assistance of the IHE in improving the district's performance, to the extent the commissioner determines necessary. Redesignates Subdivisions (10) and (11) as Subdivisions (11) and (12), respectively.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 39.111(c), Education Code, to make a conforming change.

SECTION 3. Provides that this Act takes effect beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

SECTION 4.� Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.