S.B. No. 1557
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the Texas High Performance Schools Consortium.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 7, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 7.0561 to read as follows:
         Sec. 7.0561.  TEXAS HIGH PERFORMANCE SCHOOLS CONSORTIUM.
  (a)  In this section, "consortium" means the Texas High Performance
  Schools Consortium established under this section.
         (b)  The Texas High Performance Schools Consortium is
  established to inform the governor, legislature, and commissioner
  concerning methods for transforming public schools in this state by
  improving student learning through the development of innovative,
  next-generation learning standards and assessment and
  accountability systems.
         (c)  From among school districts and eligible
  open-enrollment charter schools that apply using the form and in
  the time and manner established by commissioner rule, the
  commissioner may select not more than 20 participants for the
  consortium. The districts selected by the commissioner must
  represent a range of district types, sizes, and diverse student
  populations, as determined by the commissioner in accordance with
  commissioner rule. To be eligible to participate in the
  consortium, an open-enrollment charter school must have been
  awarded an exemplary distinction designation under Subchapter G,
  Chapter 39, during the preceding school year.
         (d)  The number of students enrolled in consortium
  participants may not be greater than a number equal to five percent
  of the total number of students enrolled in public schools in this
  state according to the most recent agency data.
         (e)  The application process under Subsection (c) must
  require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools
  applying to participate in the consortium to submit a detailed plan
  designed to both support improved instruction of and learning by
  students and provide evidence of the accurate assessment of the
  quality of learning on campuses. The plan submitted by a school
  district may designate the entire district or one or more district
  campuses as proposed consortium participants.  The plan submitted
  by a district or open-enrollment charter school must include:
               (1)  a clear description of each assessed curricular
  goal included in the learning standards adopted in accordance with
  Subsection (f)(2);
               (2)  a plan for acquiring resources to support teachers
  in improving student learning;
               (3)  a description of any waiver of an applicable
  prohibition, requirement, or restriction the district or charter
  school would want to apply for; and
               (4)  any other provisions required by the commissioner.
         (f)  In consultation with interested school districts,
  open-enrollment charter schools, and other appropriate interested
  persons, the commissioner shall adopt rules applicable to the
  consortium, according to the following principles for a next
  generation of higher performing public schools:
               (1)  engagement of students in digital learning,
  including engagement through the use of electronic textbooks and
  instructional materials adopted under Subchapters B and B-1,
  Chapter 31, and courses offered through the state virtual school
  network under Subchapter 30A;
               (2)  emphasis on learning standards that focus on
  high-priority standards identified in coordination with districts
  and charter schools participating in the consortium;
               (3)  use of multiple assessments of learning capable of
  being used to inform students, parents, districts, and charter
  schools on an ongoing basis concerning the extent to which learning
  is occurring and the actions consortium participants are taking to
  improve learning; and
               (4)  reliance on local control that enables communities
  and parents to be involved in the important decisions regarding the
  education of their children.
         (g)  The commissioner shall convene consortium leaders
  periodically to discuss methods to transform learning
  opportunities for all students, build cross-district and
  cross-school support systems and training, and share best practices
  tools and processes.
         (h)  The commissioner or a school district or
  open-enrollment charter school participating in the consortium
  may, for purposes of this section, accept gifts, grants, or
  donations from any source, including a private entity or
  governmental entity.
         (i)  To cover the costs of administering the consortium, the
  commissioner may charge a fee to a school district or
  open-enrollment charter school participating in the consortium.
         (j)  With the assistance of the school districts and
  open-enrollment charter schools participating in the consortium,
  the commissioner shall submit reports concerning the performance
  and progress of the consortium to the governor and the legislature
  not later than December 1, 2012, and not later than December 1,
  2014. The report submitted not later than December 1, 2012, must
  include any recommendation by the commissioner concerning
  legislative authorization for the commissioner to waive a
  prohibition, requirement, or restriction that applies to a
  consortium participant. That report must also include a plan for an
  effective and efficient accountability system for consortium
  participants that balances academic excellence and local values to
  inspire learning and, at the state level, contingent on any
  necessary waiver of federal law, may incorporate use of a
  stratified random sampling of students or other objective
  methodology to hold consortium participants accountable while
  attempting to reduce the number of state assessment instruments
  that are required to be administered to students.  The commissioner
  shall seek a federal waiver, to any extent necessary, to prepare for
  implementation of the plan if enacted by the legislature.  This
  subsection expires January 1, 2018.
         SECTION 2.  (a)  Not later than January 1, 2012, the
  commissioner of education shall adopt rules as required under
  Section 7.0561, Education Code, as added by this Act.
         (b)  Not later than March 1, 2012, the commissioner of
  education shall make available to school districts and
  open-enrollment charter schools the application forms required
  under Section 7.0561, Education Code, as added by this Act. The
  commissioner of education shall require school districts and
  open-enrollment charter schools that intend to apply to participate
  in the Texas High Performance Schools Consortium to submit
  applications not later than June 1, 2012.
         (c)  Not later than July 1, 2012, the commissioner of
  education shall formally select participants for the Texas High
  Performance Schools Consortium established under Section 7.0561,
  Education Code, as added by this Act.  The consortium must begin
  operating not later than the beginning of the 2012-2013 school
  year.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1557 passed the Senate on
  May 3, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 29, Nays 2.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1557 passed the House on
  May 23, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 142, Nays 0, one
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor