Bill Text: TX HB244 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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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-Introduced.html

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87R2889 MWC-F
By: González of El Paso 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, 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 shall 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, and computer science education.
(c) From money appropriated for the purpose, the
commissioner shall make grants to eligible providers that offer:
(1) professional development for elementary school
and middle and junior high school 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 computing and computer
science education; and
(4) develop partnerships with computer industry
professionals.
(f) The total amount of grants awarded under this section
for a state fiscal biennium may not exceed $4 million.
(g) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to
implement this section.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 31, 2021, the
commissioner of education shall establish the grant program
required under Section 21.466, 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, 2021.