1-1 By: Luna S.B. No. 1158
1-2 (In the Senate - Filed March 11, 1997; March 17, 1997, read
1-3 first time and referred to Committee on Education; April 3, 1997,
1-4 reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 11, Nays 0;
1-5 April 3, 1997, sent to printer.)
1-6 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-7 AN ACT
1-8 relating to regional education service centers.
1-9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-10 SECTION 1. Chapter 8, Education Code, is amended to read as
1-11 follows:
1-12 CHAPTER 8. REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE CENTERS
1-13 SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1-14 Sec. 8.001. ESTABLISHMENT. (a) The commissioner [agency]
1-15 shall provide for the establishment and operation of a system of
1-16 [not more than 20] regional education service centers.
1-17 (b) Regional education service centers shall be located
1-18 throughout the state so that each school district has the
1-19 opportunity to be served by and to participate, [in an approved
1-20 center] on a voluntary basis, in a center that meets the
1-21 accountability standards established by the commissioner.
1-22 (c) The commissioner may decide any matter concerning the
1-23 operation or administration of the system of regional education
1-24 service centers, including:
1-25 (1) the number and location of centers;
1-26 (2) the regional boundaries of centers; and
1-27 (3) the allocation among centers of state and federal
1-28 funds administered by the agency.
1-29 (d) This chapter does not:
1-30 (1) limit a school district's freedom to purchase
1-31 services from any regional education service center; or
1-32 (2) require a school district to purchase services
1-33 from a regional education service center.
1-34 Sec. 8.002. PURPOSE. The system of regional [(a) Regional]
1-35 education service centers shall:
1-36 (1) [, at the direction of the commissioner, provide
1-37 services to] assist school districts in improving student
1-38 performance in each region of the system;
1-39 (2) enable school districts to operate more
1-40 efficiently and economically; and
1-41 (3) implement initiatives assigned by the legislature
1-42 or the commissioner [increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of
1-43 school operations].
1-44 [(b) In addition to core services a regional education
1-45 service center is required to offer under Section 8.051, a school
1-46 district or campus may purchase any other available service from
1-47 any center.]
1-48 Sec. 8.003. GOVERNANCE. (a) Each regional education
1-49 service center is governed by a board of directors composed of
1-50 seven members.
1-51 (b) The commissioner shall adopt [recommend to the State
1-52 Board of Education for adoption uniform] rules to provide for the
1-53 local selection, appointment, and continuity of membership of
1-54 regional education service center boards of directors.
1-55 (c) A vacancy on a regional education service center board
1-56 of directors shall be filled by appointment by the remaining
1-57 members of the board for the unexpired term.
1-58 (d) A member of the board is not entitled to compensation
1-59 from the regional education service center but is entitled to
1-60 reimbursement with center funds for necessary expenses incurred in
1-61 performing duties as a board member.
1-62 (e) Each regional education service center board of
1-63 directors shall develop policies to ensure the sound management and
1-64 operation of the center consistent with Section 8.002. [The board
2-1 of directors shall be directly involved in the planning and
2-2 evaluation of programs and activities developed and offered to
2-3 school districts and campuses under Section 8.051 or 8.052.]
2-4 (f) Each regional education service center board of
2-5 directors shall adopt an annual budget for the following year after
2-6 conducting a public hearing on the center's performance during the
2-7 preceding year on standards established by the commissioner under
2-8 Section 8.101.
2-9 Sec. 8.004. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. The regional education
2-10 service center board of directors shall employ an executive
2-11 director. The selection and dismissal of the executive director is
2-12 subject to the approval of the commissioner. The executive
2-13 director is the chief executive officer of the regional education
2-14 service center and may employ personnel as necessary to carry out
2-15 the functions of the center.
2-16 Sec. 8.005. EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION. A regional education
2-17 service center and its employees are subject to or exempt from
2-18 taxation in the same manner as a school district and school
2-19 district employees.
2-20 Sec. 8.006. IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY. An employee or
2-21 volunteer of a regional education service center is immune from
2-22 liability to the same extent as an employee or volunteer of a
2-23 school district.
2-24 Sec. 8.007. PERSONAL LEAVE. (a) A regional education
2-25 service center may accept personal leave accrued by a center
2-26 employee:
2-27 (1) under state law by an employee who was formerly
2-28 employed by the state; or
2-29 (2) under Section 22.003 by an employee who was
2-30 formerly employed by a school district.
2-31 (b) A school district or the state shall accept the personal
2-32 leave accrued by an employee who was formerly employed by a
2-33 regional education service center.
2-34 SUBCHAPTER B. POWERS AND DUTIES
2-35 Sec. 8.051. [CORE] SERVICES TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE.
2-36 (a) Each regional education service center shall use funds
2-37 distributed to the center under Section 8.121 to develop, maintain,
2-38 and deliver services identified under this section to improve
2-39 student and school district performance.
2-40 (b) Each regional education service center shall annually
2-41 develop and submit to the commissioner for approval a plan for
2-42 improvement. Each plan must include the purposes and description
2-43 of the services the center will provide to:
2-44 (1) campuses identified as low-performing based on the
2-45 indicators adopted under Section 39.051;
2-46 (2) the lowest-performing campuses in the region; and
2-47 (3) other campuses.
2-48 (c) Each regional education service center shall provide
2-49 services that enable school districts to operate more efficiently
2-50 and economically [for developing and maintaining core services for
2-51 purchase by school districts and campuses. The core services are:]
2-52 [(1) training and assistance in teaching each subject
2-53 area assessed under Section 39.023;]
2-54 [(2) training and assistance in providing each program
2-55 that qualifies for a funding allotment under Section 42.151,
2-56 42.152, 42.153, or 42.156;]
2-57 [(3) assistance specifically designed for a school
2-58 district rated academically unacceptable under Section 39.072(a) or
2-59 a campus whose performance is considered unacceptable based on the
2-60 indicators adopted under Section 39.051;]
2-61 [(4) training and assistance to teachers,
2-62 administrators, members of district boards of trustees, and members
2-63 of site-based decision-making committees; and]
2-64 [(5) assistance in complying with state laws and
2-65 rules].
2-66 Sec. 8.052. STATE INITIATIVES. As directed by the
2-67 commissioner, each regional education service center shall, as
2-68 necessary, use funds distributed under Section 8.123 to implement
2-69 initiatives identified by the legislature.
3-1 Sec. 8.053. ADDITIONAL SERVICES. In addition to the [core]
3-2 services provided [listed] under Section 8.051 and the initiatives
3-3 implemented under Section 8.052, a regional education service
3-4 center may offer any service requested and purchased by any school
3-5 district or campus in the state.
3-6 [Sec. 8.053. PLANNING AND REPORTING. Each regional
3-7 education service center shall:]
3-8 [(1) prepare a quantitative summary, by school
3-9 district and campus, of services delivered under Sections 8.051 and
3-10 8.052;]
3-11 [(2) report audited financial and performance
3-12 information using the uniform system adopted by the commissioner;
3-13 and]
3-14 [(3) perform any other duty the commissioner
3-15 determines is necessary under Subchapter C.]
3-16 Sec. 8.054. PROHIBITION ON REGULATORY FUNCTION. A regional
3-17 education service center may not perform a regulatory function
3-18 regarding a school district. This section does not prohibit a
3-19 regional education service center from offering training or other
3-20 assistance to a school district in complying with a state or
3-21 federal law, rule, or regulation.
3-22 Sec. 8.055. REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER PROPERTY.
3-23 (a) Each regional education service center may purchase or lease
3-24 property or acquire property through lease-purchase and may incur
3-25 debts for that purpose. The board of directors may, with the
3-26 commissioner's approval, approve a transaction under this
3-27 subsection.
3-28 (b) Each regional education service center may dispose of
3-29 property in the manner and on the terms that the board of directors
3-30 determines.
3-31 SUBCHAPTER C. EVALUATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
3-32 Sec. 8.101. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND INDICATORS. The
3-33 commissioner shall establish performance standards and indicators
3-34 for regional education service centers that measure the achievement
3-35 of the objectives in Section 8.002. Performance standards and
3-36 indicators must at least measure a center's:
3-37 (1) assistance to school districts in improving
3-38 student performance;
3-39 (2) promotion of more efficient and economical school
3-40 district operations, including operations in the areas of
3-41 curriculum and instruction, data processing, purchasing, staff
3-42 development, technology support, and administrative services; and
3-43 (3) implementation of initiatives assigned by the
3-44 legislature and the commissioner.
3-45 Sec. 8.102. DATA REPORTING. Each regional education service
3-46 center shall report audited or budgeted financial information and
3-47 any other information requested by the commissioner for use in
3-48 assessing the performance of the center. The commissioner shall
3-49 develop a uniform system for regional education service centers to
3-50 report audited financial data, to report information on the
3-51 indicators adopted under Section 8.101, and to provide information
3-52 on client satisfaction with services provided under Subchapter B
3-53 [and performance data].
3-54 Sec. 8.103 [8.102]. ANNUAL EVALUATION. The commissioner
3-55 shall conduct an annual evaluation of each executive director and
3-56 regional education service center. Each evaluation must include:
3-57 (1) an audit of the center's finances [and
3-58 management];
3-59 (2) a review of the center's performance on the
3-60 [academic excellence] indicators adopted under Section 8.101
3-61 [identified in Section 39.051 of each school district and campus in
3-62 the center's region]; [and]
3-63 (3) a review of client satisfaction with services
3-64 provided under Subchapter B; and
3-65 (4) a review of any other factor the commissioner
3-66 determines to be appropriate.
3-67 Sec. 8.104 [8.103]. SANCTIONS. The commissioner shall
3-68 develop [recommend to the State Board of Education for approval] a
3-69 system of corrective actions to require of a regional education
4-1 service center that the commissioner determines to be deficient in
4-2 an accountability measure under Section 8.103 [8.102]. The actions
4-3 must include, in increasing order of severity:
4-4 (1) conducting an on-site investigation of the center;
4-5 (2) requiring the center to send notice of each
4-6 deficiency to each school district and campus in the center's
4-7 region or served by the center the previous year;
4-8 (3) [(2)] requiring the center to prepare for the
4-9 commissioner's approval a plan to address each area of deficiency;
4-10 [(3) conducting an on-site investigation of the
4-11 center;]
4-12 (4) appointing a master to oversee the operations of
4-13 the center;
4-14 (5) replacing the executive director or board of
4-15 directors; and
4-16 (6) in the case of deficient performance in two
4-17 consecutive years, closing the center.
4-18 SUBCHAPTER D. FUNDING
4-19 Sec. 8.121. FUNDING FOR [CORE] SERVICES TO IMPROVE
4-20 PERFORMANCE. (a) Regional education service centers receive state
4-21 financial support for services provided under Section 8.051 from
4-22 money appropriated for [to] the Foundation School Program [for that
4-23 purpose]. The commissioner shall distribute money to each regional
4-24 education service center for basic costs of providing those [core]
4-25 services according to an annual allotment set by the commissioner
4-26 based on:
4-27 (1) the minimum amount of money necessary for the
4-28 operation of a center; [and]
4-29 (2) an additional amount of money that reflects the
4-30 size and number of campuses served by the center under Section
4-31 8.051; and
4-32 (3) an additional amount of money that reflects [the
4-33 number of students in a center's service area and] the impact of
4-34 the geographic size of a center's service area on the cost of
4-35 providing [core] services under Section 8.051.
4-36 (b) The allotments authorized by Subsection (a) in any year
4-37 may not be less than 0.4 percent of the amount appropriated for
4-38 purposes of the Foundation School Program for that year.
4-39 (c) Each regional education service center shall use money
4-40 distributed to it under this section for the provision of [core]
4-41 services required under Section 8.051 or for payment of necessary
4-42 administrative and operational expenses of the center related to
4-43 the provision of those [core] services.
4-44 Sec. 8.122. INCENTIVE FUNDING FOR DISTRICT EFFICIENCIES.
4-45 (a) The legislature may appropriate money from the foundation
4-46 school fund to establish an incentive fund to encourage efficiency
4-47 in the provision of services by the system of regional education
4-48 service centers.
4-49 (b) The commissioner may submit to each regular session of
4-50 the legislature an incentive funding report and plan that:
4-51 (1) demonstrates that regional education service
4-52 centers are providing the services required or permitted by law;
4-53 (2) defines efficiencies of scale in measurable terms;
4-54 (3) proposes the size of and payment schedule for the
4-55 incentive fund; and
4-56 (4) establishes a method for documenting and computing
4-57 efficiencies.
4-58 (c) The commissioner shall determine the method by which
4-59 money appropriated under this section is distributed to regional
4-60 education service centers.
4-61 (d) The board of trustees of a school district may delegate
4-62 purchasing or other administrative functions to a regional
4-63 education service center to the extent necessary to achieve
4-64 efficiencies under this section. [PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS FOR
4-65 ADDITIONAL SERVICES. (a) After providing for the payment of basic
4-66 costs of providing core services under Section 8.121, the
4-67 commissioner may distribute the remaining money appropriated to the
4-68 Foundation School Program and money from other sources to regional
4-69 education service centers or school districts for the costs of
5-1 providing additional services.]
5-2 [(b) The commissioner may designate the amount of money
5-3 available for distribution under Subsection (a) and the purposes
5-4 for which the money may be used. In determining the allocation of
5-5 money distributed under Subsection (a), the commissioner shall
5-6 consider:]
5-7 [(1) the scope and cost-effectiveness of the services
5-8 involved;]
5-9 [(2) the number of students in a school district or in
5-10 an area served by a regional education service center, as
5-11 applicable; and]
5-12 [(3) the impact of the geographic size of a school
5-13 district or of an area served by a regional education service
5-14 center on the cost of providing services.]
5-15 [(c) As soon as possible after enactment of the General
5-16 Appropriations Act each biennium, the commissioner shall notify
5-17 each school district and regional education service center of the
5-18 amount of money available for distribution under this section and
5-19 the purposes for which the money may be used.]
5-20 [(d) If a school district requests direct distribution of
5-21 money under this section to provide an additional service, the
5-22 commissioner and district may enter into a performance contract
5-23 that specifies the purpose for which the money will be used and the
5-24 expected results of the expenditure. After entering into a
5-25 performance contract with a school district, the commissioner shall
5-26 distribute to the district 90 percent of the funds available for
5-27 the service and distribute the remaining 10 percent to the regional
5-28 education service center for the region in which the district is
5-29 located. The school district may provide the service specified in
5-30 the performance contract independently, in cooperation with one or
5-31 more other school districts, or through a contract with one or more
5-32 public or private entities, including a regional education service
5-33 center for a region other than the region in which the district is
5-34 located.]
5-35 [(e) If a district elects to receive an additional service
5-36 from the regional education service center for the region in which
5-37 the district is located, the district shall execute a performance
5-38 contract with the center, subject to approval by the commissioner,
5-39 that specifies the purpose for which the money will be used and the
5-40 expected results of the expenditure. The commissioner shall
5-41 distribute the entire amount of money available for the service to
5-42 the regional education service center in accordance with the
5-43 performance contract.]
5-44 Sec. 8.123. FUNDING FOR STATE INITIATIVES [GRANTS].
5-45 (a) The legislature may appropriate money from the foundation
5-46 school fund or other sources to implement initiatives identified by
5-47 the legislature.
5-48 (b) The commissioner may adopt rules governing:
5-49 (1) the strategies, programs, projects, and regions
5-50 eligible for funding under this section; and
5-51 (2) the amount of funds that may be distributed to a
5-52 regional education service center for a specific initiative.
5-53 Sec. 8.124. INNOVATIVE AND EMERGENCY GRANTS. (a) The
5-54 legislature may appropriate money from the foundation school fund
5-55 or other sources for grants to regional education service centers.
5-56 Money appropriated under this section shall be distributed to
5-57 regional education service centers as:
5-58 (1) competitive grants for developing and implementing
5-59 innovative regional strategies or programs; or
5-60 (2) emergency grants for providing adequate [core]
5-61 services under Section 8.051 to small and isolated school districts
5-62 or, in extreme circumstances, other school districts.
5-63 (b) The commissioner may adopt rules governing:
5-64 (1) the strategies, programs, and regions eligible for
5-65 funding under this section; and
5-66 (2) the amount of money that may be distributed to a
5-67 regional education service center for a specific purpose.
5-68 Sec. 8.125 [8.124]. CONTRACTS FOR GRANTS. Each regional
5-69 education service center board of directors, under rules adopted by
6-1 the commissioner [State Board of Education], may enter into a
6-2 contract for a grant from a public or private organization and may
6-3 spend grant funds in accordance with the terms of the contract.
6-4 SECTION 2. Section 7.102, Education Code, is amended to read
6-5 as follows:
6-6 Sec. 7.102. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION POWERS AND DUTIES.
6-7 (a) The board may perform only those duties relating to school
6-8 districts or regional education service centers assigned to the
6-9 board by the constitution of this state or by this subchapter or
6-10 another provision of this code.
6-11 (b) The board has the [following] powers and duties provided
6-12 by Subsection (c), which shall be carried out with the advice and
6-13 assistance of the commissioner.
6-14 (c)[:](1) The board shall develop and update a long-range
6-15 plan for public education.
6-16 (2) The board may enter into contracts relating to or
6-17 accept grants for the improvement of educational programs
6-18 specifically authorized by statute.
6-19 (3) The board may accept a gift, donation, or other
6-20 contribution on behalf of the public school system or agency and,
6-21 unless otherwise specified by the donor, may use the contribution
6-22 in the manner the board determines.
6-23 (4) The board shall establish curriculum and
6-24 graduation requirements.
6-25 (5) The board shall establish a standard of
6-26 performance considered satisfactory on student assessment
6-27 instruments.
6-28 (6) [The board shall adopt rules to provide for
6-29 regional education service center boards of directors as provided
6-30 by Section 8.003 and rules under which a regional education service
6-31 center may receive and spend grants under Section 8.124.]
6-32 [(7)] The board may create special-purpose school
6-33 districts under Chapter 11.
6-34 (7) [(8)] The board shall provide for a training
6-35 course for school district trustees under Section 11.159.
6-36 (8) [(9)] The board shall adopt a procedure to be used
6-37 for placing on probation or revoking a home-rule school district
6-38 charter as required by Subchapter B, Chapter 12, and may place on
6-39 probation or revoke a home-rule school district charter as provided
6-40 by that subchapter.
6-41 (9) [(10)] The board may grant an open-enrollment
6-42 charter or approve a charter revision as provided by Subchapter D,
6-43 Chapter 12.
6-44 (10) [(11)] The board shall adopt rules establishing
6-45 criteria for certifying hearing examiners as provided by Section
6-46 21.252.
6-47 (11) [(12)] The board shall adopt rules to carry out
6-48 the curriculum required or authorized under Section 28.002.
6-49 (12) [(13)] The board shall establish guidelines for
6-50 credit by examination under Section 28.023.
6-51 (13) [(14)] The board shall adopt transcript forms and
6-52 standards for differentiating high school programs for purposes of
6-53 reporting academic achievement under Section 28.025.
6-54 (14) [(15)] The board shall adopt guidelines for
6-55 determining financial need for purposes of the Texas Advanced
6-56 Placement Incentive Program under Subchapter C, Chapter 28, and may
6-57 approve payments as provided by that subchapter.
6-58 (15) [(16)] The board shall adopt criteria for
6-59 identifying gifted and talented students and shall develop and
6-60 update a state plan for the education of gifted and talented
6-61 students as required under Subchapter D, Chapter 29.
6-62 (16) [(17)] The board shall adopt rules for approving
6-63 adult education programs as required under Section 29.253 and may
6-64 establish an adult education advisory committee under Section
6-65 29.254.
6-66 (17) [(18)] The board shall adopt rules relating to
6-67 community education development projects as required under Section
6-68 29.257.
6-69 (18) [(19)] The board may approve the plan to be
7-1 developed and implemented by the commissioner for the coordination
7-2 of services to children with disabilities as required under Section
7-3 30.001.
7-4 (19) [(20)] The board shall establish a date by which
7-5 each school district and state institution shall provide to the
7-6 commissioner the necessary information to determine the district's
7-7 share of the cost of the education of a student enrolled in the
7-8 Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the Texas
7-9 School for the Deaf as required under Section 30.003 and may adopt
7-10 other rules concerning funding of the education of students
7-11 enrolled in the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired or
7-12 the Texas School for the Deaf as authorized under Section 30.003.
7-13 (20) [(21)] The board shall adopt rules prescribing
7-14 the form and content of information school districts are required
7-15 to provide concerning programs offered by state institutions as
7-16 required under Section 30.004.
7-17 (21) [(22)] The board shall adopt rules concerning
7-18 admission of students to the Texas School for the Deaf as required
7-19 under Section 30.057.
7-20 (22) [(23)] The board shall carry out powers and
7-21 duties related to regional day school programs for the deaf as
7-22 provided under Subchapter D, Chapter 30.
7-23 (23) [(24)] The board shall adopt and purchase or
7-24 license textbooks as provided by Chapter 31 and adopt rules
7-25 required by that chapter.
7-26 (24) [(25)] The board shall develop and update a
7-27 long-range plan concerning technology in the public school system
7-28 as required under Section 32.001 and shall adopt rules and policies
7-29 concerning technology in public schools as provided by Chapter 32.
7-30 (25) [(26)] The board shall conduct feasibility
7-31 studies related to the telecommunications capabilities of school
7-32 districts and regional education service centers as provided by
7-33 Section 32.033.
7-34 (26) [(27)] The board shall appoint a board of
7-35 directors of the center for educational technology under Section
7-36 32.034.
7-37 (27) [(28)] The board shall adopt rules relating to
7-38 extracurricular activities under Section 33.081 and approve,
7-39 disapprove, or modify University Interscholastic League rules and
7-40 procedures under Section 33.083.
7-41 (28) [(29)] The board shall approve a program for
7-42 testing students for dyslexia and related disorders as provided by
7-43 Section 38.003.
7-44 (29) [(30)] The board shall perform duties in
7-45 connection with the public school accountability system as
7-46 prescribed by Chapter 39.
7-47 (30) [(31)] The board shall perform duties in
7-48 connection with the Foundation School Program as prescribed by
7-49 Chapter 42.
7-50 (31) [(32)] The board may invest the permanent school
7-51 fund within the limits of the authority granted by Section 5,
7-52 Article VII, Texas Constitution, and Chapter 43.
7-53 (32) [(33)] The board shall adopt rules concerning
7-54 school district budgets and audits of school district fiscal
7-55 accounts as required under Subchapter A, Chapter 44.
7-56 (33) [(34)] The board shall adopt an annual report on
7-57 the status of the guaranteed bond program and may adopt rules as
7-58 necessary for the administration of the program as provided under
7-59 Subchapter C, Chapter 45.
7-60 (34) [(35)] The board shall prescribe uniform bid
7-61 blanks for school districts to use in selecting a depository bank
7-62 as required under Section 45.206.
7-63 (d) [(c)] The board may adopt rules relating to school
7-64 districts or regional education service centers only as required to
7-65 carry out the specific duties assigned to the board by the
7-66 constitution or under Subsection (c) [(b)].
7-67 (e) [(d)] An action of the board to adopt a rule under this
7-68 section is effective only if the board includes in the rule's
7-69 preamble a statement of the specific authority under Subsection (c)
8-1 [(b)] to adopt the rule.
8-2 (f) [(e)] Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a
8-3 rule adopted by the board under this section does not take effect
8-4 until the beginning of the school year that begins at least 90 days
8-5 after the date on which the rule was adopted. The rule takes
8-6 effect earlier if the rule's preamble specifies an earlier
8-7 effective date and the reason for that earlier date and:
8-8 (1) the earlier effective date is a requirement of:
8-9 (A) a federal law; or
8-10 (B) a state law that specifically refers to this
8-11 section and expressly requires the adoption of an earlier effective
8-12 date; or
8-13 (2) on the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
8-14 members of the board, the board makes a finding that an earlier
8-15 effective date is necessary.
8-16 SECTION 3. Section 39.183, Education Code, is amended to
8-17 read as follows:
8-18 Sec. 39.183. REGIONAL AND DISTRICT LEVEL REPORT. The agency
8-19 shall prepare and deliver to the governor, the lieutenant governor,
8-20 the speaker of the house of representatives, each member of the
8-21 legislature, the Legislative Budget Board, and the clerks of the
8-22 standing committees of the senate and house of representatives with
8-23 primary jurisdiction over the public school system a regional and
8-24 district level report covering the preceding two school years and
8-25 containing:
8-26 (1) a summary of school district compliance with the
8-27 student/teacher ratios and class-size limitations prescribed by
8-28 Sections 25.111 and 25.112, including the number of districts
8-29 granted an exception from Section 25.112;
8-30 (2) a summary of the exemptions and waivers granted to
8-31 school districts under Section 7.056 or 39.112 and a review of the
8-32 effectiveness of each campus or district following deregulation;
8-33 and
8-34 (3) an evaluation of the performance of the system of
8-35 [a summary of the services offered by] regional education service
8-36 centers based on the indicators adopted under Section 8.101 and
8-37 client satisfaction with services provided under Subchapter B,
8-38 Chapter 8 [with an evaluation of the effectiveness of those
8-39 services].
8-40 SECTION 4. Section 59, Chapter 260, Acts of the 74th
8-41 Legislature, 1995, is repealed.
8-42 SECTION 5. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
8-43 section, this Act takes effect immediately.
8-44 (b) Section 8.121, Education Code, as amended by this Act,
8-45 takes effect September 1, 1997.
8-46 SECTION 6. The importance of this legislation and the
8-47 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
8-48 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
8-49 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
8-50 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
8-51 and that this Act take effect and be in force according to its
8-52 terms, and it is so enacted.
8-53 * * * * *