HBA-KMH H.B. 3109 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3109 By: Longoria Higher Education 4/15/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Multicultural Mathematics and Science Education Cooperative (MMSEC), which has been in existence since 1989, provides professional development in mathematics and science for elementary teachers and principals at economically disadvantaged Texas public schools. To date 31 schools have participated in the four-year training program. Due to the program, Texas Assessment of Academic Skills Program scores in mathematics for students of MMSEC teachers have increased on average from a passing rate of 30 percent in 1993 to 74 percent in 1998. The program uses university mathematics and science professors to conduct school-based professional development courses throughout the school year. In addition, participating teachers examine how the cultural and contextual backgrounds of their students and parents relate to the ways the students learn mathematics and science. H.B. 3109 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish the Multicultural Mathematics and Science Education Cooperative with assistance from the University of Texas at Austin. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 (Section 61.851, Education Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Subchapter T, as follows: SUBCHAPTER T. MULTICULTURAL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION COOPERATIVE Sec. 61.851. ESTABLISHMENT OF MULTICULTURAL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION COOPERATIVE. Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to establish a multicultural mathematics and science education cooperative (cooperative) to benefit Texas public elementary school teachers, principals, students, and parents of students. Authorizes the board to adopt rules relating to the operation of the education cooperative. Sec. 61.852. PURPOSE OF COOPERATIVE. Sets for the purpose of the cooperative. Sec. 61.853. FUNDING. Authorizes the board to use available appropriated funds to administer this subchapter if that use is consistent with the purposes for which the appropriation is made. Requires the board to solicit and authorizes the board to accept gifts and grants from any public or private source for the benefit of the cooperative. Sec. 61.854. CONTRACT WITH UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN. Requires the board to contract with the University of Texas at Austin. To assist with the establishment and operation of the cooperative. Authorizes the board, in executing a contract under this section, to provide for the payment of a portion of the contract proceeds based upon the achievement of certain contractual milestones. SECTION 2. Requires the board to take all necessary steps to establish the cooperative and to begin operating the cooperative not later than the beginning of the 2000-2001 school year. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.