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, State Board of Education, 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, including  standards and systems relating to career and college readiness.
(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 30 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 a 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 10 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)  The school districts and open-enrollment charter schools participating in the consortium shall submit reports concerning the performance and progress of the consortium to the governor, the legislature, the State Board of Education, and the commissioner not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year. 
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 666 (S.B. 1557), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.
Amended by: 
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 988 (H.B. 18), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2015.