1. (a) The commissioner by rule shall establish:

   1. (1) standards for considering campuses for distinction designations under Section 39.203(c); and
   2. (2) methods for awarding distinction designations to campuses.
2. (b) In adopting rules under this section, the commissioner shall establish a separate committee to develop criteria for each distinction designation under Section 39.203(c).

3. (c) Each committee established under this section must include:

   1. (1) individuals who practice as professionals in the content area relevant to the distinction designation, as applicable;
   2. (2) individuals with subject matter expertise in the content area relevant to the distinction designation;
   3. (3) educators with subject matter expertise in the content area relevant to the distinction designation; and
   4. (4) community leaders, including leaders from the business community.
4. (d) For each committee, the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives may each appoint a person described by each subdivision of Subsection (c).

5. (e) In developing criteria for distinction designations under this section, each committee shall:

   1. (1) identify a variety of indicators for measuring excellence; and

   2. (2) consider categories for distinction designations, with criteria relevant to each category, based on:

      1. (A) the level of a program, whether elementary school, middle or junior high school, or high school; and
      2. (B) the student enrollment of a campus.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 895 (H.B. 3), Sec. 59, eff. June 19, 2009.