BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.S.B. 826

By: Taylor, Larry

Public Education

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Interested parties suggest that a certain change is needed to the law relating to the sequencing of required English language arts courses and mathematics courses in schools to allow flexibility and personalization of learning for students. C.S.S.B. 826 seeks to make that change for that purpose.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

C.S.S.B. 826 amends Section 28.025(b-2), Education Code, as amended by Chapters 211 (H.B. 5) and 214 (H.B. 2201), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, to harmonize the amendments made by those acts and to remove a student's successful completion of English I, II, and III as a prerequisite to the student complying with the curriculum requirement for an advanced English course and a student's successful completion of Algebra I and geometry as a prerequisite to compliance with the curriculum requirement for an advanced mathematics course, as provided by the State Board of Education. The bill's provisions apply beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.

 

COMPARISON OF SENATE ENGROSSED AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.S.B. 826 may differ from the engrossed in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the engrossed and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

SENATE ENGROSSED

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1. Section 28.025(b-2), Education Code, as amended by Chapter 211 (H.B. 5), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, is amended to read as follows:

(b-2) In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State Board of Education shall provide for a student to comply with the curriculum requirements for an advanced English course under Subsection (b-1)(1) [taken after successful completion of English I, English II, and English III], for an advanced mathematics course under Subsection (b-1)(2) [taken after the successful completion of Algebra I and geometry], and for any advanced science course under Subsection (b-1)(3) by successfully completing a course in the appropriate content area that has been approved as an advanced course by board rule or that is offered as an advanced course for credit without board approval as provided by Section 28.002(g-1).

 

SECTION 1. Section 28.025(b-2), Education Code, as amended by Chapters 211 (H.B. 5) and 214 (H.B. 2201), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, is reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(b-2) In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State Board of Education shall:

(1) provide for a student to comply with the curriculum requirements for an advanced English course under Subsection (b-1)(1) [taken after successful completion of English I, English II, and English III], for an advanced mathematics course under Subsection (b-1)(2) [taken after the successful completion of Algebra I and geometry], and for any advanced science course under Subsection (b-1)(3) by successfully completing a course in the appropriate content area that has been approved as an advanced course by board rule or that is offered as an advanced course for credit without board approval as provided by Section 28.002(g-1); and

(2) allow a student to comply with the curriculum requirements for the third and fourth mathematics credits under Subsection (b-1)(2) or the third and fourth science credits under Subsection (b-1)(3) by successfully completing an advanced career and technical course designated by the State Board of Education as containing substantively similar and rigorous academic content.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

SECTION 2. Same as engrossed version.

 

SECTION 3. 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, 2017.

SECTION 3. Same as engrossed version.