TITLE: Relating to the use of calculator applications in place of graphing calculators in public schools.

SUMMARY: Relating to the use of calculator applications in place of graphing calculators in public schools.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the use of calculator applications in place of graphing calculators in public schools. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 25, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 25.904 to read as follows: Sec. 25.904. USE OF CALCULATOR APPLICATION IN PLACE OF GRAPHING CALCULATOR. (a) A school district shall permit a student enrolled in a course that requires the student to use a graphing calculator to use a calculator application on a computing device, including a personal, laptop, or tablet computer, that provides the same functionality, unless the district makes available to the student a graphing calculator at no cost to the student. (b) A school district may adopt policies related to student use of a computing device under this section. (c) To the extent this section conflicts with Section 37.082, this section prevails. SECTION 2. The Texas Education Agency is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the Texas Education Agency may, but is not required to, implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. SECTION 4. 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.