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Texas Statutes (Last Updated: January 4, 2014) |
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EDUCATION CODE |
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Title 2. PUBLIC EDUCATION |
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Subtitle D. EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS |
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Chapter 21. EDUCATORS |
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Subchapter J. STAFF DEVELOPMENT |
Sec. 21.4541. MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES PILOT PROGRAM
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(a) From funds appropriated for that purpose, the commissioner by rule shall establish a pilot program under which participating school districts and campuses receive grants to provide assistance in developing the content knowledge and instructional expertise of teachers who instruct students in mathematics at the middle school, junior high school, or high school level.
(b) A school district or campus is eligible to participate in the pilot program under this section if the district or campus meets the eligibility criteria established as provided by Section 39.408.
(c) A grant awarded under this section may be used to support intensive instructional coaching and professional development from a service provider approved by the commissioner. Approved service providers may include:
(1) academies and training centers established in conjunction with a Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (T-STEM) center;
(2) regional education service centers;
(3) institutions of higher education; and
(4) private organizations with significant experience in providing mathematics instruction, as determined by the commissioner.
(d) An instructional coaching or professional development program supported by a grant under this section must demonstrate significant past effectiveness in improving mathematics instruction in middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools serving a significant number of students identified as students at risk of dropping out of school, as described by Section 29.081(d). An instructional coaching or professional development program may include:
(1) providing classes to teachers on effective mathematics instruction;
(2) providing tutoring or mentoring to teachers regarding effective mathematics instruction;
(3) providing incentives to teachers to participate in the program; or
(4) engaging in any other activities determined by the commissioner as likely to improve the instructional skills of teachers providing mathematics instruction.
(e) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to implement the pilot program.