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AN ACT
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relating to an intensive mathematics and algebra intervention pilot |
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program in public schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 29, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 29.095 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 29.095. INTENSIVE MATHEMATICS AND ALGEBRA |
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INTERVENTION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "intervention |
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program" means the intensive mathematics and algebra intervention |
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pilot program. |
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(b) The commissioner by rule shall establish an |
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intervention pilot program in which a participating district will |
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provide: |
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(1) intensive mathematics intervention for students |
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who are not performing at grade level in mathematics in grades four |
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through seven; and |
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(2) algebra readiness intervention for students who |
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are not performing at grade level in mathematics in grade eight. |
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(c) Districts may implement the intensive mathematics and |
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algebra intervention pilot program at a campus whose population of |
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at-risk students exceeds the state average proportion of at-risk |
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students. |
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(d) A participating campus shall identify a student who does |
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not perform at grade level on an assessment instrument administered |
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under Section 39.023(a)(1), or an equivalent assessment instrument |
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administered under Section 39.023(l), as a student eligible for |
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participation in the intervention program. During a student's |
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placement in the intervention program, a campus shall use progress |
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monitoring assessments to ensure that a student is making |
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appropriate progress in the program. |
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(e) The commissioner shall adopt a list of mathematics and |
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algebra intervention programs that may be implemented by a school |
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district and funded under this program. Programs placed on the |
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commissioner's list will be reviewed and recommended by a panel of |
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recognized experts in mathematics education. |
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(f) The commissioner shall adopt minimum criteria that a |
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program must meet to be included on the list adopted by the |
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commissioner. The criteria must: |
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(1) include comprehensive course plans and teacher |
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guides that are organized around the essential knowledge and skills |
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curriculum for mathematics; |
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(2) include technology-based supplementary |
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instruction that can diagnose and address areas in which a student |
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is identified to need improvement; |
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(3) include at least three cumulative days of |
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training, professional development, and mentoring for teachers; |
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(4) provide students individual access to |
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technology-based supplementary instruction at least 90 minutes |
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each week; |
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(5) provide teachers daily access to required |
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technology; |
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(6) demonstrate significant effectiveness in schools |
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serving students identified as being at risk of dropping out of |
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school, as described by Section 29.081(d); and |
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(7) be selected in consultation with the teachers at |
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the affected campus from the list adopted pursuant to Subsection |
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(e). |
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(g) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to |
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implement this section. |
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(h) Program Evaluation. The commissioner of education |
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shall contract for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the |
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intervention program established under this section. The |
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commissioner may consider centers for education research to conduct |
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this evaluation. The evaluation shall describe progress under the |
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assessment instruments administered under Section 39.023(a)(1) or |
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equivalent assessment instruments administered under Section |
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39.023(l) to students participating in the intervention program. |
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(i) Report to the Legislature. Not later than December 1 of |
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each even-numbered year, the commissioner shall prepare and deliver |
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a report to the legislature that recommends any statutory changes |
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the commissioner considers appropriate to promote improved |
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mathematics and algebra readiness in Texas schools. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 2504 was passed by the House on May 7, |
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2007, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 0, 1 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 2504 was passed by the Senate on May |
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18, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |