HBA-MPM S.B. 724 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 724
By: Zaffirini
Public Education
5/12/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas offers certain statewide programs for teacher continuing
education that are targeted at specific groups.  S.B. 724 authorizes a
regional education service center to contract with public and private
entities for continuing education programs. 

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 2 (Section 61.051, Education Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, by adding
Section 21.0541, as follows: 

Sec. 21.0541.  CONTRACTS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION.  (a) Authorizes a
regional education service center (ESC) to contract with a public or
private entity, including one receiving funds from the National Endowment
for the Humanities under 20 U.S.C., Section 956 (Support and Scholarship in
Humanities and Arts; Museum Services), for the provision of continuing
education courses and programs that fulfill the educator's continuing
education requirements. 

(b)  Provides that a continuing education course or program provided under
this section must adhere to certain requirements with respect to
curriculum, number of hours, credit for course work completed, and must be
taught by certain faculty members. 

(c)  Provides that an entity seeking a contract with the Texas Education
Agency (agency) under Subsection (a) must demonstrate a history of
providing courses and programs which meet the requirements of this section. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 61.051, Education Code, by adding Subsection
(s), as follows: 

(s)  Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules
requiring institutions of higher education to give credit as higher
education course work to a continuing education course or program provided
under Section 21.0541, Education Code. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.