HBA-MPM, CCH H.B. 1960 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1960
By: Shields
Public Education
4/2/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Children spend a significant amount of their day in the classroom, and the
lessons they learn there may help shape the way in which they make
decisions for the rest of their lives.  Character education curriculum
introduces children to the character traits important for participation in
a civil society, including honesty, responsibility, respect, initiative,
and compassion, and may complement the guidance of a child's parents. More
schools and school districts might be encouraged to implement such a
curriculum if they were given official recognition for their efforts.
House Bill 1960 includes the percentage of schools in a school district
with a character education program among the academic excellence
indicators.   

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1960 amends the Education Code to provide that the State Board
of Education's academic excellence indicators must include the percentage
of schools in the school district that offer a character education program.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. 
This Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002 school year.