Commissioner's Rules
Adopted Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 102, Educational Programs, Subchapter BB, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Master Teacher Grant Programs
Attachments:
I. Statutory Citations (PDF)
II. Text of Adopted Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 102, Educational Programs, Subchapter BB, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Master Teacher Grant Programs (PDF)
SUMMARY:
The rule action presented in this item will be filed as adopted with the Texas Register under the commissioner's rulemaking authority. This item adopts revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 102, Educational Programs, Subchapter BB, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Master Teacher Grant Programs. The revisions include an increase in the number of master teacher stipends an eligible campus can receive from two to three per campus for each subject area. The revisions also include a new rule to establish the Master Technology Teacher Grant Program. No changes were made to the rules since published as proposed.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
Texas Education Code (TEC), §§21.410-21.413.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
February 15, 2010.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES:
The Master Reading Teacher Grant Program was created by House Bill (HB) 2307, 76th Texas Legislature, 1999. The Master Mathematics Teacher Grant Program was created by HB 1144, 77th Texas Legislature, 2001. The Master Science Teacher Grant Program was created by HB 411, 78th Texas Legislature, 2003. Through 19 TAC §§102.1011, 102.1013, and 102.1015, the commissioner exercised rulemaking authority to adopt rules for implementation of these grant programs and to make grants to school districts to pay stipends to selected certified master reading, mathematics, and science teachers who teach at high-need campuses as identified in rule. The adopted revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 102, Subchapter BB, update the subchapter as follows.
Adopted amendments to 19 TAC §102.1011, Master Reading Teacher Grant Program, §102.1013, Master Mathematics Teacher Grant Program, and §102.1015, Master Science Teacher Grant Program, revise subsection (e)(1) in each rule to increase the number of master teacher stipends allowed per eligible campus from two to three for each master teacher grant program. Minor technical corrections were also made in subsection (f) of each rule.
Adopted new 19 TAC §102.1017, Master Technology Teacher Grant Program, establishes in rule the program to award grants to school districts to pay stipends to selected certified master technology teachers who teach at high-need campuses as identified in the rule. The adopted new rule defines terms and sets forth the procedures for school district applications and administration of a grant program for master technology teachers consistent with the grant programs for master reading, mathematics, and science teachers; however, implementation of the Master Technology Teacher Grant Program is not anticipated for the 2009-2011 biennium since no funds were appropriated for that program. Therefore, the adoption establishes a rule for the program with implementation contingent upon future funding.
No changes were made to the rules since published as proposed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Texas Education Agency has determined that there are no fiscal implications to persons or entities required to comply with the rule action. In addition, there is no direct adverse economic impact for small business and microbusinesses; therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis, specified in Texas Government Code, §2006.002, is required.
The adopted amendments that increase the number of master teacher stipends from two to three per eligible campus will result in an economic benefit to school districts. School districts will experience an increase in funds for reading, mathematics, and science master teacher stipends. However, funding for the technology master teacher stipend will be contingent on a legislative or other appropriation.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT:
The adopted rule actions will facilitate continuous implementation of the master teacher grant programs. The programs are intended to encourage teachers to become certified as master teachers and work with other teachers and with students, particularly those in identified high-need campuses, to improve student achievement.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS:
The adopted revisions have no implications on procedural and reporting requirements.
LOCALLY MAINTAINED PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS:
The adopted revisions have no new locally maintained paperwork requirements.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The public comment period on the proposal began October 16, 2009, and ended November 16, 2009. No public comments were received.
ALTERNATIVES:
None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES:
None.
Staff Members Responsible:
Jerel Booker, Associate Commissioner, Educator and Student Policy Initiatives
Julie Harris-Lawrence, Deputy Associate Commissioner, Educator Performance and Student Affairs
Carla Valadez, Director, Educator Initiatives and Performance
For additional information, email rules@tea.state.tx.us.