HBA-MPM H.B. 1742 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1742 By: Dunnam Public Education 4/12/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Charter schools were introduced because there was a perceived failure of traditional public schools to address the needs of certain populations in Texas schoolchildren. It was hoped that releasing charter schools from the red tape and regulations imposed on public schools would create competition and innovation in Texas schools as a whole. However, although charters are free from many state laws and are free to teach students using innovative educational methods, many are still teaching in a traditional method with a traditional curriculum. In its interim report, the Subcommittee on Charter Schools recommended considering incentives to promote innovation in the education of students within all public schools. House Bill 1742 creates grants for innovative educational programs within the public school system. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to the commissioner of education in SECTION 1 (Section 29.903, Education Code) of this bill. ANALYSIS House Bill 1742 amends the Education Code to require the commissioner of education (commissioner) to make grants to school districts and school campuses from funds appropriated for that purpose for use in providing innovative educational programs, including those that incorporate pilot programs, smaller class sizes, nontraditional applied learning techniques, and emphasis on high technology and entrepreneurship. The bill requires the commissioner to adopt rules to implement the grants, including rules prescribing eligibility criteria for the receipt of a grant and regarding the use of grant funds. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.