HBA-LCA H.B. 2322 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2322
By: Dukes
Public Education
4/12/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The role of an educational paraprofessional or aide (aide) has evolved from
a clerical one to one that is more of a teaching assistant.  It is
estimated that there are nearly 54,000 of these aides assisting Texas
students during part or all of the school day. 

Current State Board of Education rules only require an aide to register and
pay a fee to receive certification.  H.B. 2322 provides for a task force to
study the role of educational aides, and to make recommendations in a
written report to the governor, the legislature, and the State Board for
Educator Certification, who may then determine a new certification process
for these aides. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  TASK FORCE ON EDUCATIONAL AIDES.  Creates a Task Force on
Educational Aides (task force) to identify and review the role of
educational aides and the needs of public school students, including
special education students. 

SECTION 2.  COMPOSITION.  Sets forth the composition of the 23-member task
force and designates a presiding officer for the task force. 

SECTION 3.  MEETINGS.  Requires the task force to meet at the call of the
presiding officer. 

SECTION 4.  STAFF AND EXPENSES.  (a)  Requires the Texas Education Agency
(agency) to provide support staff to the task force. 

(b)  Entitles task force members who are not members of the legislature to
reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while performing duties under
this Act, subject to limitations in the General Appropriations Act on
travel by state employees.  Entitles members of the legislature to
reimbursement for task force duties in the same manner as for other
legislative duties. 

SECTION 5.  DUTIES OF TASK FORCE.  (a)  Requires the task force to develop
recommendations regarding educational aides,  including minimum entrance
standards, minimum knowledge and skill requirements for different programs
and levels; certification; and any other matter as determined by the task
force. 

(b)  Requires the task force, in developing recommendations, to review and
analyze the use of educational aides by school districts; the programs in
which educational aides participate; and the standards and laws governing
the employment and use of educational aides. 

SECTION 6.  REPORT.  Requires the task force to submit a written report of
its recommendations to the governor, the legislature, and the State Board
for Educator Certification by January 1, 2001. 

 SECTION 7.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 8.  Provides that this Act expires and the Task Force on
Educational Aides is abolished September 1, 2001. 

SECTION 9.  Emergency clause.