Bill Text: TX HB3069 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of a grant program for promoting computer science certification and professional development in coding, technology applications, and computer science for public school teachers.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-05-10 - Referred to Education [HB3069 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-HB3069-Engrossed.html
| 86R18713 MP-F | ||
| By: González of El Paso, Allison, | H.B. No. 3069 | |
| Capriglione, Longoria, Rose, et al. | ||
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| relating to the establishment of a grant program for promoting | ||
| computer science certification and professional development in | ||
| coding, technology applications, and computer science for public | ||
| school teachers. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is | ||
| amended by adding Section 21.468 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 21.468. COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS | ||
| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In this section, | ||
| "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by | ||
| Section 61.003. | ||
| (b) The commissioner shall establish a competitive | ||
| professional development grant program to encourage teachers to: | ||
| (1) obtain computer science certification; and | ||
| (2) continue professional development in coding, | ||
| computational thinking, and computer science education. | ||
| (c) From funds appropriated for the purpose, the | ||
| commissioner shall make grants to eligible providers that offer: | ||
| (1) professional development for elementary school | ||
| and middle and junior high school teachers to ensure teachers | ||
| maintain a working knowledge of current computer industry standard | ||
| tools and resources; and | ||
| (2) training for computer science certification for | ||
| teachers in accordance with certification requirements adopted by | ||
| the State Board for Educator Certification. | ||
| (d) To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a | ||
| provider must: | ||
| (1) be an institution of higher education, regional | ||
| education service center, or school district or partnership of | ||
| multiple school districts or a nonprofit entity approved by the | ||
| commissioner that has demonstrated experience in providing | ||
| professional development through a statewide network; and | ||
| (2) meet eligibility standards established by | ||
| commissioner rule. | ||
| (e) An eligible provider receiving a grant under this | ||
| section must: | ||
| (1) provide the training or professional development | ||
| described by Subsection (c) and establish professional development | ||
| hubs in each education service center region; | ||
| (2) serve high-need campuses; | ||
| (3) have established partnerships with institution of | ||
| higher education faculty with expertise in computing and computer | ||
| science education; and | ||
| (4) develop partnerships with computer industry | ||
| professionals. | ||
| (f) The total amount of grants awarded under this section | ||
| for a state fiscal biennium may not exceed $4 million. | ||
| (g) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to | ||
| implement this section. | ||
| SECTION 2. Not later than December 31, 2019, the | ||
| commissioner of education shall establish the grant program | ||
| required under Section 21.468, 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, 2019. | ||
