Bill Text: TX HB244 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: 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.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-05-17 - Referred to Education [HB244 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HB244-Engrossed.html
| 87R16403 MWC-D | ||
| By: González of El Paso, Allison, Lozano, | H.B. No. 244 | |
| Huberty, Capriglione, et al. | ||
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| 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. | ||
