TITLE: Relating to a principal preparation grant program.

SUMMARY: Relating to a principal preparation grant program.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a principal preparation grant program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter I-1 to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER I-1. Principal Preparation Grants Sec. 61.511. PRINCIPAL PREPARATION GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The board shall establish and administer the principal preparation grant program to provide grants to schools of education at higher education institutions and other non-degree granting organizations responsible for developing and implementing innovative principal preparation programs education. The grants shall be used to develop and administer innovative principal preparation programs. (b) The board by rule shall establish reasonable eligibility criteria for grant recipients as appropriate to achieve the purposes of this subchapter. The criteria shall prioritize programs that demonstrate: (1) A defined Competency Framework, including the set of skills, knowledge, and dispositions that a principal must have in order to drive high levels of student achievement for all children, and a recruitment and admission strategy that reflects the competency framework. (2) Strategic, proactive, and targeted recruiting strategies; (3) Highly selective and clear criteria and rigorous processes to evaluate applicants' disposition, skills and knowledge; (4) Experiential training and development; (5) Ongoing support for graduates to help them transition and grow on the job; and (6) A commitment to continuous improvement and using data to access the effectiveness of their principals and their programs. (c) The board by rule shall establish permissible uses for the grants. Permissible uses shall include:: (1) financial aid for students; (2) rigorous assessment of program applicants through leadership simulation experiences rated by trained assessors; (3) acquisition and use of technology to support measures of candidate competencies in the field; (4) recruiting, hiring, and training educational leaders to provide ongoing support to candidates on-site during candidates' residency; and (5) hiring experts to design and instruct in select areas of the program SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.