Bill Text: TX HB588 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of a grant program for promoting computer science certification and professional development for public school teachers.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-05-08 - Committee report sent to Calendars [HB588 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HB588-Comm_Sub.html
| 85R5123 MK-D | ||
| By: Bohac, Howard, Cyrier | H.B. No. 588 | |
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| relating to the establishment of a grant program for promoting | ||
| computer science certification and professional development for | ||
| public school teachers. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, is | ||
| amended by adding Section 21.416 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 21.416. COMPUTER SCIENCE CERTIFICATION GRANT PROGRAM. | ||
| (a) The commissioner shall establish a computer science | ||
| certification grant program to encourage teachers to: | ||
| (1) become certified as computer science teachers; and | ||
| (2) continue professional development in computer | ||
| science education. | ||
| (b) From funds appropriated for that purpose, the | ||
| commissioner shall make grants to eligible providers that offer: | ||
| (1) training for computer science certification for | ||
| teachers in accordance with certification requirements adopted by | ||
| the State Board for Educator Certification; and | ||
| (2) professional development for currently certified | ||
| computer science teachers to ensure certified teachers maintain | ||
| working knowledge of current industry standard tools and resources. | ||
| (c) To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a | ||
| provider must: | ||
| (1) be: | ||
| (A) an institution of higher education; | ||
| (B) a regional education service center; | ||
| (C) an independent school district or a | ||
| partnership of multiple independent school districts; or | ||
| (D) a nonprofit entity approved by the | ||
| commissioner that has demonstrated experience in providing | ||
| professional development in the area of educational technology; and | ||
| (2) meet eligibility standards established by | ||
| commissioner rule. | ||
| (d) An eligible provider receiving a grant under this | ||
| section must: | ||
| (1) provide the training or professional development | ||
| described by Subsection (b) to teachers in at least three high-need | ||
| school districts, as determined by commissioner rule; and | ||
| (2) in each school year, successfully provide the | ||
| training necessary to enable at least 10 teachers to receive | ||
| computer science certification. | ||
| (e) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to | ||
| implement this section. | ||
| SECTION 2. Not later than December 31, 2017, the | ||
| commissioner of education shall establish the grant program | ||
| required under Section 21.416, 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, 2017. | ||
