BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 490
85R1253 SRS-D	By: Lucio
	Education
	3/14/2017
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Data collected via the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) is regularly used by the legislature to inform policymaking related to public schools. However, PEIMS does not currently include data on the number of school counselors in our districts, makings it difficult for lawmakers to make informed policy decisions related to these important staff members. It also reduces transparency, depriving parents of access to meaningful information about the public school system.

S.B. 490 adds reporting of the number of counselors to the information school districts already submit to the Texas Education Agency through PEIMS. Documenting the presence of school counselors in public schools will ensure that future policy proposals are informed by current data and are better designed to positively impact Texas students. Increased transparency will enable parents to more effectively advocate for their children and make choices regarding their public education.

As proposed, S.B. 490 amends current law relating to information regarding the number of school counselors in public schools.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION 1 (Section 42.006, Education Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 42.006, Education Code, by adding Subsection (a-2), as follows:

(a-2) Requires the commissioner of education (commissioner), by rule, to require each school district and open-enrollment charter school to report through the Public Education Information Management System information regarding the availability of school counselors at each campus. Requires the commissioner's rules to require a district or school to report the number of full-time equivalent school counselors providing counseling services at a campus. Defines "full-time equivalent school counselor." Requires the Texas Education Agency to maintain the information provided in accordance with this subsection.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.