87R16403 MWC-D
 
  By: González of El Paso, Allison, Lozano, H.B. No. 244
      Huberty, Capriglione, et al.
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 244:
 
  By:  Dutton C.S.H.B. No. 244
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a grant program for promoting
  computer science certification and professional development in
  coding, technology applications, cybersecurity, and computer
  science for public school teachers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 21.466 to read as follows:
         Sec. 21.466.  COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS
  PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In this section,
  "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 61.003.
         (b)  The commissioner may establish a competitive
  professional development grant program to encourage teachers to:
               (1)  obtain computer science certification; and
               (2)  continue professional development in coding,
  computational thinking, cybersecurity, and computer science
  education.
         (c)  From any federal funds available for this purpose, the
  commissioner may make grants to eligible providers that offer:
               (1)  professional development for classroom teachers
  to ensure teachers maintain a working knowledge of current computer
  industry standard tools and resources; and
               (2)  training for computer science certification for
  teachers in accordance with certification requirements adopted by
  the State Board for Educator Certification.
         (d)  To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a
  provider must:
               (1)  be an institution of higher education, regional
  education service center, or school district or partnership of
  multiple school districts or a nonprofit entity approved by the
  commissioner that has demonstrated experience in providing
  professional development through a statewide network; and
               (2)  meet eligibility standards established by
  commissioner rule.
         (e)  An eligible provider receiving a grant under this
  section must:
               (1)  provide the training or professional development
  described by Subsection (c) and establish professional development
  hubs in each education service center region;
               (2)  serve high-need campuses;
               (3)  have established partnerships with institution of
  higher education faculty with expertise in cybersecurity,
  computing, and computer science education; and
               (4)  develop partnerships with computer industry
  professionals.
         (f)  The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to
  implement this section.
         SECTION 2.  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, 2021.