By: Perry, Hall S.B. No. 1412

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of accelerated campus excellence turnaround plans for low-performing schools and the authority of the commissioner of education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 39A.105, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 39A.105. CONTENTS OF CAMPUS TURNAROUND PLAN. (a) A campus turnaround plan must include:

(1) details on the method for restructuring, reforming, or reconstituting the campus;

(2) a detailed description of the academic programs to be offered at the campus, including:

(A) instructional methods;

(B) length of school day and school year;

(C) academic credit and promotion criteria; and

(D) programs to serve special student populations;

(3) if a district charter is to be granted for the campus under Section 12.0522:

(A) the term of the charter; and

(B) information on the implementation of the charter;

(4) written comments from:

(A) the campus-level committee established under Section 11.251, if applicable;

(B) parents; and

(C) teachers at the campus; and

(5) a detailed description of the budget, staffing, and financial resources required to implement the plan, including any supplemental resources to be provided by the school district or other identified sources.

(b) A campus may submit an accelerated campus excellence turnaround plan as provided by this subsection. The plan must provide:

(1) the assignment of a principal to the campus who has demonstrated a history of improvement in student academic growth at campuses in which the principal has previously worked;

(2) that the principal has final authority over personnel decisions at the campus;

(3) that at least 80 percent of the classroom teachers assigned to the campus be teachers who performed in the top quartile of teachers in the district that employed the teacher during the previous school year, with performance determined by:

(A) for a teacher who taught in the district during the previous school year:

(i) the teacher's impact on student growth; and

(ii) an evaluation of the teacher based on classroom observation; and

(B) for a teacher who did not teach in the district during the previous school year, data and other evidence indicating that if the teacher had taught in the district during the previous school year, the teacher would have performed in the top quartile of teachers in the district;

(4) a detailed description of the employment and compensation structures for the principal and classroom teachers, which must include:

(A) significant incentives for a high-performing principal or teacher to remain at the campus; and

(B) a three-year commitment by the district to continue incentives for the principal and teachers;

(5) policies and procedures for the implementation of best practices at the campus, including:

(A) data-driven instructional practices;

(B) a system of observation of and feedback for classroom teachers;

(C) positive student culture on the campus;

(D) family and community engagement, including partnerships with parent and community groups;

(E) extended learning opportunities for students, which may include service or workforce learning opportunities; and

(F) providing student services before or after the instructional day that improve student performance, which may include tutoring, extracurricular activities, counseling services, and offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner to all students at the campus; and

(6) assistance by a third-party provider that is approved by the commissioner in the development and implementation of the district's plan.

(c) The commissioner may provide guidance to districts as necessary to implement an accelerated campus excellence turnaround plan under Subsection (b).

SECTION 2. Section 39A.107, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-3) to read as follows:

(a-3) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the commissioner shall approve a campus turnaround plan that the commissioner determines meets the requirements for an accelerated campus excellence turnaround plan under Section 39A.105(b).

SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 39A, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 39A.116 to read as follows:

Sec. 39A.116. COMMISSIONER AUTHORITY. A decision by the commissioner under this subchapter is final and may not be appealed.

SECTION 4. (a) The commissioner of education shall select one campus that received an unacceptable rating for the 2017-2018 school year, regardless of the number of consecutive years the campus has received an unacceptable rating, to submit an accelerated campus excellence turnaround plan as provided by Section 39A.105(b), Education Code, as added by this Act, for the 2019-2020 school year. The commissioner may adjust timelines established under Chapter 39A, Education Code, for the campus selected by the commissioner under this section for purposes of developing and implementing the accelerated campus excellence turnaround plan.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (a) of this section, this Act applies beginning with the 2020-2021 school year.

SECTION 5. The commissioner of education may adopt rules necessary to implement this Act.

SECTION 6. 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, 2019.