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

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

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

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

Download: Texas-2019-HB228-Introduced.html

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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.