BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 1317
85R19996 MEW-D	By: Uresti
	Education
	4/19/2017
	Committee Report (Substituted)

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.

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.

C.S.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. C.S.S.B. 1317 also extends the seven-day requirement to 10 days for teachers who are new to the school district. These requirements would incentivize schools to organize their staff meetings and trainings efficiently and productively within the given time frame. They also give districts the flexibility to provide additional training for new teachers.

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C.S.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, and with many districts shortening their year, 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.

C.S.S.B. 1317 amends current law relating to the earliest day a public school teacher may be required to report for service.

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 Section 21.010, as follows:

Sec. 21.010. FIRST DAY OF TEACHER SERVICE. (a) Prohibits a school district, except as provided by Subsection (b), 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.

(b) Authorizes a school district to require a teacher who is in the teacher's first year of employment with the district to report for service at the beginning of a school year up to 10 business days before the first day that instruction will be provided to students.

SECTION 2. Provides that Section 21.010, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2018-2019 school year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2017.