Bill Text: TX HB228 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to accountability and standards for districts of innovation.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-04-09 - Left pending in committee [HB228 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB228-Introduced.html
  86R1109 KKA-D
 
  By: Krause H.B. No. 228
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to accountability and standards for districts of
  innovation.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 12A.001, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as
  follows:
         (b)  A school district is eligible for designation as a
  district of innovation only if:
               (1)  the district's most recent performance rating
  under Section 39.054 reflects at least acceptable performance; and
               (2)  the district satisfies eligibility standards
  adopted by the commissioner under Subsection (b-1).
         (b-1)  In addition to the eligibility standard imposed under
  Subsection (b)(1), the commissioner shall adopt objective
  eligibility standards applicable to a school district seeking
  designation as a district of innovation, including academic
  performance eligibility standards and financial accountability
  eligibility standards. The agency shall post the eligibility
  standards adopted under this subsection on the agency's Internet
  website.
         SECTION 2.  Section 12A.003(b), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  A local innovation plan must:
               (1)  provide for a comprehensive educational program
  for the district, which program may include:
                     (A)  innovative curriculum, instructional
  methods, and provisions regarding community participation, campus
  governance, and parental involvement;
                     (B)  modifications to the school day or year;
                     (C)  provisions regarding the district budget and
  sustainable program funding;
                     (D)  accountability and assessment measures that
  exceed the requirements of state and federal law; and
                     (E)  any other innovations prescribed by the board
  of trustees; [and]
               (2)  identify requirements imposed by this code that
  inhibit the goals of the plan and from which the district should be
  exempted on adoption of the plan, subject to Section 12A.004; and
               (3)  establish performance objectives for the district
  under the plan.
         SECTION 3.  The heading to Section 12A.005, Education Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 12A.005.  ADOPTION OF LOCAL INNOVATION PLAN;
  COMMISSIONER DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY [APPROVAL].
         SECTION 4.  Sections 12A.005(a) and (c), Education Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The board of trustees may not vote on adoption of a
  proposed local innovation plan unless:
               (1)  the final version of the proposed plan has been
  available on the district's Internet website for at least 30 days;
               (2)  the board of trustees has notified the
  commissioner of the board's intention to vote on adoption of the
  proposed plan; [and]
               (3)  the district-level committee established under
  Section 11.251 has held a public meeting to consider the final
  version of the proposed plan and has approved the plan by a majority
  vote of the committee members, provided that the meeting required
  by this subdivision may occur immediately before and on the same
  date as the meeting at which the board intends to vote on adoption
  of the proposed plan; and
               (4)  the commissioner has notified the board that the
  district satisfies all eligibility standards adopted by the
  commissioner under Section 12A.001.
         (c)  On adoption of a local innovation plan, the district:
               (1)  is designated as a district of innovation under
  this chapter for the term specified in the plan, subject to Section
  12A.006;
               (2)  shall begin operation in accordance with the plan;
  [and]
               (3)  is exempt from state requirements identified under
  Section 12A.003(b)(2); and
               (4)  shall notify the commissioner of the adoption of
  the plan.
         SECTION 5.  Section 12A.008(a), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The commissioner may terminate a district's designation
  as a district of innovation if the district [receives] for two
  consecutive school years:
               (1)  receives an unacceptable academic performance
  rating under Section 39.054;
               (2)  receives an unacceptable financial accountability
  rating under Section 39.082; [or]
               (3)  receives an unacceptable academic performance
  rating under Section 39.054 for one of the school years and an
  unacceptable financial accountability rating under Section 39.082
  for the other school year; or
               (4)  fails to satisfy any eligibility standards adopted
  by the commissioner under Section 12A.001.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect August 1, 2021.
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