Honorable Larry Taylor, Chair, Senate Committee on Education
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1839 by Hughes (Relating to the preparation, certification, and classification of public school educators.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1839, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($1,988,268) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2018
($994,134)
2019
($994,134)
2020
($154,000)
2021
($154,000)
2022
($154,000)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Probable Revenue (Loss) from General Revenue Fund 1
2018
($840,134)
($154,000)
2019
($840,134)
($154,000)
2020
$0
($154,000)
2021
$0
($154,000)
2022
$0
($154,000)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require TEA to collect and provide data relating to improving the design and effectiveness of educator preparation programs (EPPs) through PEIMS. The bill would change requirements for individuals certified in other states seeking a Texas certification. The bill would also repeal references to highly qualified teachers under No Child Left Behind Act.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Methodology
EPPs currently submit information to the TEA through the Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs. The agency's analysis estimates a cost of $550,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $550,000 in fiscal year 2019 to develop and implement the systems needed to instead collect data and create reports for EPPs through the Texas Student Data System (TSDS)/PEIMS Platform.
TEA estimates that the initial development and implementation effort to support automating acceptable comparable tests from other states would result in a cost of $290,134 in fiscal year 2018 and $290,134 in fiscal year 2019.
The bill would remove the option for out of state/out of country candidates to receive a Texas certification by taking the Texas educator certification exams. There are approximately 14,000 exams administered to out-of-state and out-of-country test takers annually. SBEC receives $11 per test administered, and as a result, TEA estimates an annual decrease in SBEC revenue of $154,000 ($11 x 14,000).
The bill could result in some ongoing costs to TEA to maintain the systems developed and implemented by the bill, but it is anticipated that these ongoing responsibilities can be absorbed by existing staff and resources.
Technology
The bill would require TEA to develop new applications to support the Educator Certification Online Systems used by EPPs.
Local Government Impact
Local governments that are approved EPPs currently include school districts, charter schools, county districts, education service centers, community colleges, and public universities. If EPP data is collected through TSDS/PEIMS, EPPs may need to develop or purchase technology systems that will be able to interface with the system. TEA estimates each EPP may need to spend $10,000 to get the proper interfacing technology system.