Bill Text: TX HB2871 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Relating to the establishment by The University of Texas at Austin of a program to promote computer science education capacity in this state.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-3)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-05-04 - Left pending in committee [HB2871 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB2871-Engrossed.html

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88R17613 CXP-F
By: González of El Paso, Capriglione, Button, H.B. No. 2871
Bucy, Lalani, et al.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment by The University of Texas at Austin
of a program to promote computer science education capacity in this
state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 67, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 67.28 to read as follows:
Sec. 67.28. COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION CAPACITY PROMOTION
PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "institution of higher education"
has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) From money appropriated or otherwise available for the
purpose, the university shall design, develop, and implement a
program to support and streamline computer science education and
professional development for educators.
(c) Under the program, the university shall:
(1) provide public primary and secondary schools and
institutions of higher education with access to evidence-based and
accredited computer science professional development resources
provided by institutions of higher education, nonprofit
organizations, or other accredited providers;
(2) recruit educators to the field of computer science
education by providing continued professional development for
existing and aspiring educators and certification stipends for
newly certified educators; and
(3) provide stipends to educators who gain new skills
through professional development or who successfully obtain an
accredited or evidence-based computer science education
certification.
(d) The university shall prioritize providing services
under the program to educators from:
(1) public school campuses that lack certified
computer science educators; and
(2) other underserved geographic locations and
demographic communities.
(e) The board shall adopt policies for the implementation
and administration of the program.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, The University of Texas at Austin shall establish the
computer science education capacity promotion program required by
Section 67.28, 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, 2023.