PUBLIC ACCESS TO PEIMS DATA.

(a) The commissioner with the assistance of an advisory panel described by Subsection (b) shall develop a request for proposal for a qualified third-party contractor to develop and implement procedures to make available, through the agency Internet website, all financial and academic performance data submitted through the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) for school districts and campuses.

(b) The commissioner shall appoint an advisory panel to assist the commissioner in developing requirements for a system that is easily accessible by the general public and contains information of primary relevance to the public. The advisory panel shall consist of:

(1) educators;

(2) interested stakeholders;

(3) business leaders; and

(4) other interested members of the public.

(c) The procedures developed under this section must provide:

(1) a summarized format easily understood by the public for reporting financial and academic performance information on the agency Internet website; and

(2) the ability for those who access the Internet website to view and download state, district, and campus level information.

(d) This section does not authorize the disclosure of student information that may not be disclosed under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g). The commissioner shall adopt rules to protect the confidentiality of student information.

(e) Expired.