85R5123 MK-D
 
  By: Bohac, Howard, Cyrier H.B. No. 588
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a grant program for promoting
  computer science certification and professional development for
  public school teachers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 21.416 to read as follows:
         Sec. 21.416.  COMPUTER SCIENCE CERTIFICATION GRANT PROGRAM.
  (a) The commissioner shall establish a computer science
  certification grant program to encourage teachers to:
               (1)  become certified as computer science teachers; and
               (2)  continue professional development in computer
  science education.
         (b)  From funds appropriated for that purpose, the
  commissioner shall make grants to eligible providers that offer:
               (1)  training for computer science certification for
  teachers in accordance with certification requirements adopted by
  the State Board for Educator Certification; and
               (2)  professional development for currently certified
  computer science teachers to ensure certified teachers maintain
  working knowledge of current industry standard tools and resources.
         (c)  To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a
  provider must:
               (1)  be:
                     (A)  an institution of higher education;
                     (B)  a regional education service center;
                     (C)  an independent school district or a
  partnership of multiple independent school districts; or
                     (D)  a nonprofit entity approved by the
  commissioner that has demonstrated experience in providing
  professional development in the area of educational technology; and
               (2)  meet eligibility standards established by
  commissioner rule.
         (d)  An eligible provider receiving a grant under this
  section must:
               (1)  provide the training or professional development
  described by Subsection (b) to teachers in at least three high-need
  school districts, as determined by commissioner rule; and
               (2)  in each school year, successfully provide the
  training necessary to enable at least 10 teachers to receive
  computer science certification.
         (e)  The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to
  implement this section.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than December 31, 2017, the
  commissioner of education shall establish the grant program
  required under Section 21.416, Education Code, as added by this
  Act.
         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.