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.