BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1317
85R8497 MEW-D	By: Uresti
	Education
	3/28/2017
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

State law requires that teachers be employed under contract for a minimum of 187 days; additionally, state law requires that school districts offer at least 180 days of instruction. Over the years, we have seen a phenomenon, as reported by Texas teachers, of school districts requiring teachers to return to work earlier and earlier in the summer; in some cases, several weeks early (i.e., during the second full week of August).

School districts are typically requiring teachers to participate in staff development or meetings during some of this time. School districts should ensure that their teachers are adequately prepared for the upcoming school year through completion of such trainings. However, teachers have seven non-instructional days built into their contracts that provide districts adequate time to use for these purposes.

S.B. 1317 allows districts to require teachers to return to work up to seven business days before the first day of school for students. This requirement would incentivize schools to organize their staff meetings and trainings efficiently and productively within the given time frame.

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S.B. 1317 does not restrict districts' ability to require teacher attendance during any other time of the school year except for before the instructional year begins.

Given the recent number of districts exempting themselves from the school start date law so they can start the school year earlier, there is a compelling reason to implement reasonable expectations on when a teacher should be required to report. This legislation would positively impact teacher morale and streamline teacher training schedules while placing no burden on the school districts.

As proposed, S.B. 1317 amends current law relating to the earliest day a school district may require a teacher to report for service and information regarding required teacher attendance on noninstructional days.

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 Subchapter A, Chapter 21, Education Code, by adding Sections 21.010 and 21.011, as follows:

Sec. 21.010. FIRST DAY OF TEACHER SERVICE. Prohibits a school district from requiring a teacher to report for service at the beginning of a school year earlier than the seventh business day before the first day that instruction will be provided to students.

Sec. 21.011. NOTICE OF REQUIRED MEETINGS OR TRAINING. Requires a school district, not later than the last day for a teacher's resignation under Section 21.105 (Resignations Under Probationary Contract), 21.160 (Resignation Under Continuing Contract), or 21.210 (Resignation Under Term Contract), to notify each district teacher of any meetings or training that the teacher would be required to attend that is scheduled to occur on noninstructional days in the following school year.

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2018-2019 school year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2017.