The commissioner must create a statewide online survey, have it administered by a qualified third party, release the results, and use them to inform agency decisions.
Sec. 7.065. TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS SURVEY. (a) The commissioner shall develop an online survey to be administered statewide at least biennially to superintendents, principals, supervisors, classroom teachers, counselors, and other appropriate full-time professional employees who are required to hold a certificate issued under Subchapter B, Chapter 21. (b) In developing the survey under this section, the commissioner shall ensure that the survey is designed to elicit information relating to the following issues: (1) teaching and learning conditions as predictors of student achievement and growth; (2) the relationship between teaching and learning conditions and teacher retention; (3) the influence of school leadership on teaching and learning conditions, including: (A) meaningful involvement of teachers in determining professional development needs; (B) meaningful involvement of teachers in campus decisions and initiatives; (C) support for teachers in student disciplinary matters; and (D) limiting required meetings for and noninstructional duties of teachers; (4) the relationship between teaching and learning conditions and student attendance and graduation; (5) the appropriate time during the day for collaborative instructional planning; (6) facilities resources needs; and (7) other supports needed for educators to be successful in the classroom. (c) The commissioner shall contract with a third-party entity with appropriate research and evaluation expertise to administer the survey required by this section. The third-party survey administrator shall collect responses and protect the identity of the respondents. The third-party survey administrator shall provide the survey responses to the commissioner or a person designated by the commissioner not later than the 60th day after the date the survey is administered. (d) After the administration of each survey, the commissioner shall: (1) make the survey results available to the public; and (2) provide the survey results to school districts and campuses. (e) Each school district and campus shall use the survey results: (1) to review and revise, as appropriate, district-level or campus-level improvement plans in the manner provided under Subchapter F, Chapter 11; and (2) for other purposes, as appropriate to enhance the district and campus learning environment. (f) The commissioner shall use the survey results to develop, review, and revise: (1) agency professional development offerings; (2) agency initiatives aimed at teacher retention; and (3) standards for principals and superintendents. (g) The commissioner shall carry out duties under this section, including contracting for the administration of the survey, using only available funds and resources from public and private sources. Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1282 (H.B. 2012), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2013. Redesignated from Education Code, Section 7.064 by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1236 (S.B. 1296), Sec. 21.001(7), eff. September 1, 2015.