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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a grant program for promoting |
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computer science certification and professional development for |
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public school teachers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 21.417 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.417. COMPUTER SCIENCE CERTIFICATION GRANT PROGRAM. |
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(a) The commissioner shall establish a computer science |
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certification grant program to encourage teachers to: |
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(1) become certified as computer science teachers; and |
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(2) continue professional development in computer |
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science education. |
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(b) From funds appropriated for that purpose, the |
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commissioner shall make grants to eligible providers that offer: |
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(1) training for computer science certification for |
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teachers in accordance with certification requirements adopted by |
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the State Board for Educator Certification; and |
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(2) professional development for currently certified |
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computer science teachers to ensure certified teachers maintain |
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working knowledge of current industry standard tools and resources. |
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(c) To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a |
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provider must: |
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(1) be: |
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(A) an institution of higher education; |
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(B) a regional education service center; or |
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(C) an independent school district or a |
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partnership of multiple independent school districts; and |
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(2) meet eligibility standards established by |
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commissioner rule. |
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(d) An eligible provider receiving a grant under this |
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section must: |
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(1) provide the training or professional development |
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described by Subsection (b) to teachers in at least three high-need |
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school districts, as determined by commissioner rule; and |
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(2) in each school year, successfully provide the |
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training necessary to enable at least 10 teachers to receive |
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computer science certification. |
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(e) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to |
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implement this section. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 31, 2015, the |
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commissioner of education shall establish the grant program |
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required under Section 21.417, Education Code, as added by this |
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Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |