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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the quality and accessibility of public school career |
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and technical education programs and to assistance to students |
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concerning postsecondary education and training. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 7.009, Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 7.009. BEST PRACTICES; CLEARINGHOUSE. (a) In |
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coordination with the Legislative Budget Board, the agency shall |
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establish an online clearinghouse of information relating to best |
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practices of campuses, [and] school districts, and open-enrollment |
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charter schools. In addition to information required under |
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Subsection (e), the agency shall determine the appropriate topic |
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categories for which a campus, district, or charter school may |
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submit best [regarding instruction, dropout prevention, public
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school finance, resource allocation, and business] practices. To |
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the extent practicable, the agency shall ensure that information |
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provided through the online clearinghouse is specific, actionable |
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information relating to the best practices of high-performing and |
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highly efficient campuses, [and school] districts, and |
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open-enrollment charter schools and of academically acceptable |
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campuses, districts, and open-enrollment charter schools that have |
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demonstrated significant improvement in student achievement rather |
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than general guidelines relating to campus, [and school] district, |
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and open-enrollment charter school operation. The information must |
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be accessible by campuses, school districts, open-enrollment |
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charter schools, and interested members of the public. |
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(b) The agency shall solicit and collect from the |
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Legislative Budget Board, centers for education research |
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established under Section 1.005, and [exemplary or recognized] |
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school districts, campuses, and open-enrollment charter schools[,
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as rated under Section 39.072,] examples of best practices as |
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determined by the agency under Subsection (a) and as required under |
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Subsection (e) [relating to instruction, dropout prevention,
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public school finance, resource allocation, and business
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practices, including best practices relating to curriculum, scope
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and sequence, compensation and incentive systems, bilingual
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education and special language programs, compensatory education
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programs, and the effective use of instructional technology,
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including online courses]. |
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(c) The agency may [shall] contract for the services of one |
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or more third-party contractors to [develop, implement, and] |
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maintain a system of collecting and evaluating the best practices |
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of campuses, [and] school districts, and open-enrollment charter |
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schools as provided by this section. In addition to any other |
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considerations required by law, the agency must consider an |
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applicant's demonstrated competence and qualifications in |
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analyzing campus, [and] school district, and open-enrollment |
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charter school practices in awarding a contract under this |
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subsection. |
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(d) The commissioner may purchase from available funds |
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curriculum and other instructional tools identified under this |
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section to provide for use by school districts and open-enrollment |
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charter schools. |
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(e) The clearinghouse shall collect and provide information |
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relating to best practices in career and technology education, |
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including: |
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(1) model programs that connect kindergarten through |
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grade 12 to postsecondary employment or higher education in a |
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seamless system that includes the use of quality internship |
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programs; |
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(2) courses that teach, in an applied manner, the |
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required curriculum under Section 28.002; |
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(3) models of course scheduling that allow students to |
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participate in a coherent sequence of career and technology courses |
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while meeting the requirement adopted under Section 28.025 that |
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students complete four courses in each subject of the foundation |
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curriculum under Section 28.002(a)(1); |
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(4) counseling that: |
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(A) assists students in identifying current or |
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emerging high-demand, high-wage occupations appropriate for the |
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student or other occupations appropriate for and of interest to the |
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student; |
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(B) assists students in determining the skills |
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needed for the occupations identified under Paragraph (A); |
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(C) assists students in planning courses and |
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schedules to acquire the needed skills; |
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(D) connects students to employment |
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opportunities and to institutions of higher education; |
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(E) provides a method to assess students' |
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aptitudes or interests; and |
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(F) informs students about career options and |
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levels of education and training needed to obtain entry and |
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advanced levels of employment in current and emerging occupations |
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regionally and statewide; and |
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(5) the integration into and use for the career and |
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technology education course sequences of: |
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(A) Internet courses; |
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(B) interactive television; and |
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(C) other innovative methods of providing |
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instruction. |
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(f) This subsection expires January 31, 2011. Not later |
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than January 1, 2011, the agency shall report to the governor, |
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lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and |
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chair of each standing committee of the legislature with primary |
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jurisdiction over public education recommendations regarding how |
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to use the clearinghouse established under this section as a |
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dynamic technical assistance and support tool. The recommendations |
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must include recommendations regarding: |
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(1) using the clearinghouse to provide classroom |
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teachers, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools |
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with statewide access to high-quality curricula; |
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(2) consolidating access to similar state Internet web |
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portals from a single Internet website; and |
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(3) providing students access to Internet-based |
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academic and career counseling that includes cooperation among the |
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relevant state agencies for the purpose of transitioning students, |
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including students enrolled in a special education program under |
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Subchapter A, Chapter 29, from kindergarten through grade 12 to |
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higher education and postsecondary employment. |
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SECTION 2. Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) Each time the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board |
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revises the Internet database of the coordinating board's official |
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statewide inventory of workforce education courses, the State Board |
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of Education shall by rule revise the essential knowledge and |
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skills of any corresponding career and technology education |
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curriculum as provided by Subsection (c). |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 29.186 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 29.186. HIGH-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS LIST. (a) The Texas |
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Workforce Commission shall develop, in consultation with the Texas |
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Workforce Investment Council, a list of current or emerging |
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high-demand, high-wage, high-skill occupations in this state that |
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require licensure, certification, an associate degree, or a |
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bachelor's degree. The Texas Workforce Commission shall provide |
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the research and technical support for developing the list under |
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this subsection. |
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(b) The Texas Workforce Investment Council shall consider |
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the list developed under Subsection (a) and approve a list for |
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submission to the commissioner. On approval of the list, the Texas |
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Workforce Investment Council shall deliver the list to the |
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commissioner. |
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(c) The commissioner of education, after consultation with |
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the commissioner of higher education, shall consider the list |
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delivered under Subsection (b) and approve a final list of current |
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or emerging high-demand, high-wage, high-skill occupations in this |
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state that require licensure, certification, an associate degree, |
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or a bachelor's degree. |
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(d) The list of current or emerging high-demand, high-wage, |
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high-skill occupations in this state that require licensure, |
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certification, an associate degree, or a bachelor's degree shall be |
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reviewed and approved under the process provided by this section |
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every four years. |
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SECTION 4. Subsections (a) and (c), Section 29.190, |
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Education Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A student is entitled to a subsidy under this section |
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if: |
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(1) the student: |
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(A) [(1)] successfully completes the career and |
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technology program of a school district in which the student |
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receives training and instruction for employment in a current or |
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emerging high-demand, high-wage, high-skill [certain trade or] |
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occupation, as determined under Section 29.186; or |
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(B) is enrolled in a special education program |
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under Subchapter A; |
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(2) the student passes a certification examination to |
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qualify for a license or certificate for the [trade or] occupation; |
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and |
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(3) the student submits to the district a written |
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application in the form, time, and manner required by the district |
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for the district to subsidize the cost of an examination described |
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by Subdivision (2) [demonstrates financial need]. |
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(c) On approval by the commissioner, the agency shall pay |
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each school district [eligible student] an amount equal to the cost |
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paid by the district or student for the certification examination. |
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To obtain reimbursement for a subsidy paid under this section, a |
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district [student] must: |
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(1) pay the fee for the examination or pay the student |
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the amount of the fee paid by the student for the examination; and |
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(2) submit to the commissioner a written application |
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on a form prescribed by the commissioner stating [demonstrating
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financial need and] the amount of the fee paid under Subdivision (1) |
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[by the student] for the certification examination. |
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SECTION 5. Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 33.008 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.008. COUNSELING REGARDING COLLEGE AND CAREER |
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READINESS AND POSTSECONDARY SUCCESS. (a) Each counselor at an |
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elementary or middle or junior high school, including an |
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open-enrollment charter school offering those grades, shall advise |
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students and their parents or guardians regarding: |
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(1) the importance of higher education; |
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(2) coursework designed to prepare students for |
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postsecondary education and training, including career and |
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technology education; |
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(3) the opportunity while in high school to earn |
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college credit and industry certification; and |
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(4) financial aid availability and requirements. |
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(b) The information under Subsection (a) shall be provided |
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in a manner that assists a student in establishing a personal |
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graduation plan that leads to licensure, certification, an |
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associate degree, or a bachelor's degree. |
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(c) During the first school year a student is enrolled in a |
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high school or at the high school level in an open-enrollment |
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charter school, a counselor shall provide to students and their |
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parents or guardians information regarding higher education and |
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coursework designed to prepare students for postsecondary |
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education and training, including career and technology education, |
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as part of any information provided to assist a student in |
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establishing a personal graduation plan that leads to licensure, |
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certification, an associate degree, or a bachelor's degree. |
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(d) The career and technology education information |
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provided under this section must include information regarding: |
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(1) available course and career options, including |
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projected future demand for particular careers; |
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(2) current or emerging high-demand, high-wage, |
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high-skill occupations; |
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(3) information concerning career options and levels |
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of education and training needed to obtain entry and advanced |
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levels of employment; |
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(4) certification requirements, licensing |
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requirements, and higher education and training requirements, |
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including skills needed and coursework required to meet those |
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requirements; |
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(5) the opportunity while in high school to earn |
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college credit and industry certification; |
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(6) obtaining an aptitude or interest assessment; and |
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(7) the advantages of completing the recommended or |
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advanced high school program adopted under Section 28.025(a). |
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SECTION 6. Subsection (a), Section 42.154, Education Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) For each full-time equivalent student in average daily |
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attendance in an approved career and technology education program |
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in grades nine through 12 or in career and technology education |
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programs for students with disabilities in grades seven through 12, |
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a district is entitled to: |
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(1) an annual allotment equal to the adjusted basic |
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allotment multiplied by a weight of 1.35; and |
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(2) $50, if the student is enrolled in: |
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(A) two or more advanced career and technology |
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education classes for a total of three or more credits; or |
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(B) an advanced course as part of a tech-prep |
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program under Subchapter T, Chapter 61. |
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SECTION 7. Subsection (a), Section 54.0065, Education Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A qualified student is eligible for a rebate of a |
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portion of the undergraduate tuition the student has paid if the |
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student: |
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(1) is awarded a baccalaureate degree from a general |
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academic teaching institution within the period prescribed by |
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Section 56.462(1)(A) or (B), as applicable, to qualify for |
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forgiveness of a Texas B-On-time loan; and |
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(2) has attempted no more than three hours in excess of |
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the minimum number of semester credit hours required to complete |
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the degree program: |
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(A) including: |
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(i) transfer credits; and |
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(ii) course credit earned exclusively by |
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examination, except that, for purposes of this subsection, only the |
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number of semester credit hours earned exclusively by examination |
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in excess of nine semester credit hours is treated as hours |
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attempted; and |
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(B) excluding course credit that is earned to |
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satisfy requirements for a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) |
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program or from an articulated or dual credit course for which the |
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student received credit toward a high school diploma but that is not |
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required to complete the degree program. |
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SECTION 8. Subsection (d), Section 61.0595, Education Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(d) The following are not counted for purposes of |
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determining whether the student has previously earned the number of |
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semester credit hours specified by Subsection (a): |
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(1) semester credit hours earned by the student before |
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receiving a baccalaureate degree that has previously been awarded |
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to the student; |
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(2) semester credit hours earned by the student by |
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examination or under any other procedure by which credit is earned |
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without registering for a course for which tuition is charged; |
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(3) credit for a remedial education course, a |
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technical course, a workforce education course funded according to |
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contact hours, an articulated or dual credit course for which the |
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student received credit toward a high school diploma, or another |
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course that does not count toward the student's specific [a] degree |
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program [at the institution]; and |
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(4) semester credit hours earned by the student at a |
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private institution or an out-of-state institution. |
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SECTION 9. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 61.0663 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 61.0663. ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY. (a) To assess the |
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economic benefits and preparation for employment provided by public |
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primary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education, |
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the board shall identify students enrolled in the public education |
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system and collect data on which postsecondary program, if any, the |
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students enroll in and the type of employment the students obtain |
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following completion of high school or the program, as applicable. |
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(b) The board, in consultation with the Texas Education |
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Agency, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the comptroller, shall |
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use the education and employment data collected under Subsection |
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(a), and any additional relevant data, to assess the economic |
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impact of secondary and postsecondary training and education. The |
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information must be produced in a manner that: |
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(1) demonstrates patterns of postsecondary enrollment |
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and employment placement; |
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(2) provides an assessment of the economic benefits of |
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institutions of higher education and programs at those institutions |
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to students and the state; and |
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(3) provides an assessment of the economic benefit of |
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public education programs that prepare students who transition |
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directly to postsecondary employment. |
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(c) The information produced under this section must be |
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capable of electronic dissemination and made available to the |
|
public in a format that assists students in making decisions |
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regarding education and career choices. |
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(d) This section does not authorize the disclosure of |
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student information that may not be disclosed under the Family |
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Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section |
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1232g). The board, in conjunction with the commissioner of |
|
education, the comptroller, and the Texas Workforce Commission, |
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shall adopt rules to protect the confidentiality of student |
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information. |
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SECTION 10. Section 61.0762, Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 61.0762. PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE STUDENT SUCCESS. (a) To |
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implement the college readiness and success strategic action plan |
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adopted under Section 61.0761 and to enhance the success of |
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students at institutions of higher education, the board by rule |
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shall develop: |
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(1) summer higher education bridge programs in the |
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subject areas of mathematics, science, and English language arts; |
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(2) incentive programs for institutions of higher |
|
education that implement research-based, innovative developmental |
|
education initiatives; |
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(3) financial assistance programs for educationally |
|
disadvantaged students, as defined by Section 5.001, who take |
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college entrance and college readiness assessment instruments; |
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(4) professional development programs for faculty of |
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institutions of higher education on college readiness standards and |
|
the implications of such standards on instruction; and |
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(5) other programs as determined by the board that |
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support the participation and success goals in "Closing the Gaps," |
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the state's master plan for higher education. |
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(b) As one of the programs adopted under Subsection (a)(5), |
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the board, in coordination with the commissioner of education, |
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shall establish education resource centers to create within school |
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communities interest in and information concerning attendance at |
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institutions of higher education. Each center must attempt to |
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coordinate among students, parents, school counselors, and |
|
institutions of higher education in providing access to resources |
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helpful in preparation for attendance at and admission to |
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institutions of higher education. One or more persons associated |
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with each center shall be trained and able to assist the families of |
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high school students to complete the Free Application for Federal |
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Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Each center shall provide information |
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concerning career and technical education, including certification |
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and licensing requirements and available course and career options |
|
and degree programs. A center under this subsection may be located |
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on a high school or middle school campus or at a site within a |
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community that is conveniently located to many students, such as a |
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public library or local workforce or community center, or may be a |
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mobile center that visits schools or other places where students |
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are likely to gather. |
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(c) The board shall conduct ongoing evaluations of programs |
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developed under Subsection (a) and any other programs developed to |
|
provide information concerning postsecondary educational or |
|
employment opportunities to determine the effectiveness of the |
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programs in meeting the goals of "Closing the Gaps," the state's |
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master plan for higher education. |
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(d) In conjunction with the comptroller and the Texas |
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Workforce Commission, the board shall develop an Internet website |
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for the purpose of providing information to the public about |
|
postsecondary educational and employment opportunities. The |
|
website shall provide information in English and Spanish |
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concerning: |
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(1) career and technical education programs that |
|
integrate academic, technical, and career skills that lead to a |
|
license, certificate, or postsecondary degree; |
|
(2) available employment opportunities and the |
|
educational requirements needed for employment at entry and |
|
advanced levels; |
|
(3) which occupations are considered high-demand or |
|
emerging under Section 29.186; |
|
(4) the skills needed and the available avenues for |
|
obtaining employment in a high-demand or emerging occupation; and |
|
(5) how to obtain financial aid and what forms of |
|
financial aid are available to students entering certain |
|
occupations. |
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(e) For the purpose of developing the Internet website under |
|
Subsection (d), the board may require the Texas Education Agency to |
|
provide information on educational programs and outcomes and the |
|
Texas Workforce Commission to provide information on workforce |
|
programs and outcomes. |
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(f) As one of the programs adopted under Subsection (a)(5), |
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the board, in conjunction with the comptroller and the Texas |
|
Workforce Commission, shall establish mobile career centers that |
|
visit schools or other places where students are likely to gather. |
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The mobile career centers shall provide students information on |
|
various occupations, including: |
|
(1) the potential future employment demand for the |
|
occupation; |
|
(2) the earning potential for a person employed in the |
|
occupation; |
|
(3) the skills and training needed for employment in |
|
the occupation; |
|
(4) a list of courses applicable to the occupation, |
|
including courses offered in high school, for dual credit, on the |
|
Internet, and at institutions of higher education, and the extent |
|
to which those courses are available to the student; and |
|
(5) information concerning post-entry-level |
|
employment opportunities in the occupation and, to the extent |
|
feasible, information concerning the education required to access |
|
those future opportunities. |
|
(g) The mobile career centers established under Subsection |
|
(f): |
|
(1) shall be operated, to the extent practicable, in |
|
coordination with one or more other governmental entities providing |
|
mobile programs; and |
|
(2) may be funded only with private gifts, grants, or |
|
donations. |
|
SECTION 11. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 61.0764 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 61.0764. ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In |
|
this section, "pilot program" means the adult basic education pilot |
|
program established under this section. |
|
(b) Using funds appropriated for the purpose, the board by |
|
rule shall establish a pilot program under which participating |
|
junior college districts and public technical institutes receive |
|
funding to establish adult education programs that focus on: |
|
(1) the provision of developmental education to |
|
support the transition from high school to college or a career; and |
|
(2) dropout recovery. |
|
(c) To participate in the pilot program, a junior college |
|
district or public technical institute must apply to the board in |
|
the manner prescribed by the board. The application must include a |
|
detailed plan developed by the junior college district or public |
|
technical institute for the district's or institute's adult |
|
education program. The board may select for participation in the |
|
pilot program those junior college districts and public technical |
|
institutes whose plans serve the purposes of the pilot program as |
|
determined by the board. |
|
(d) The board may adopt rules necessary to administer this |
|
section. |
|
SECTION 12. Subtitle G, Title 3, Education Code, is amended |
|
by adding Chapter 134 to read as follows: |
|
CHAPTER 134. JOBS AND EDUCATION FOR TEXANS (JET) GRANT PROGRAM |
|
Sec. 134.001. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter, "public |
|
junior college" and "public technical institute" have the meanings |
|
assigned by Section 61.003. |
|
Sec. 134.002. JOBS AND EDUCATION FOR TEXANS (JET) FUND. |
|
(a) The comptroller shall establish and administer the Jobs and |
|
Education for Texans (JET) fund as a dedicated account in the |
|
general revenue fund. |
|
(b) The following amounts shall be deposited in the fund: |
|
(1) any amounts appropriated by the legislature for |
|
the fund for purposes of this subchapter; |
|
(2) interest earned on the investment of money in the |
|
fund; and |
|
(3) gifts, grants, and other donations received for |
|
the fund. |
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Sec. 134.003. ADVISORY BOARD. (a) An advisory board of |
|
education and workforce stakeholders is created to assist the |
|
comptroller in administering this chapter. |
|
(b) The advisory board is composed of seven members who |
|
serve two-year terms and are appointed as follows: |
|
(1) one member appointed by the governor; |
|
(2) one member appointed by the lieutenant governor; |
|
(3) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of |
|
representatives; |
|
(4) one member appointed by the Texas Higher Education |
|
Coordinating Board; |
|
(5) one member appointed by the Texas Workforce |
|
Commission; |
|
(6) one member of the public appointed by the |
|
comptroller; and |
|
(7) the comptroller, who serves as the chairperson. |
|
(c) The advisory board shall meet at least once each quarter |
|
to review received applications and recommend awarding grants under |
|
this subchapter. |
|
Sec. 134.004. JOBS AND EDUCATION FOR TEXANS (JET) GRANT |
|
PROGRAM. The comptroller shall establish and administer the Jobs |
|
and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program to provide grants to |
|
public junior colleges, public technical institutes, and eligible |
|
nonprofit organizations that apply to the advisory board in the |
|
manner prescribed by the advisory board. The comptroller shall |
|
award the grants on the advice and recommendations of the advisory |
|
board. Grants may be awarded under this subchapter from the JET |
|
fund for the following purposes: |
|
(1) to expand and support programs that meet the |
|
requirements of Section 134.005 and that prepare low-income |
|
students for careers in high-demand occupations; |
|
(2) to defray the startup costs associated with the |
|
development of new career and technical education programs that |
|
meet the requirements of Section 134.006; and |
|
(3) to provide scholarships for students in career and |
|
technical education programs who meet the requirements of Section |
|
134.007. |
|
Sec. 134.005. GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR |
|
INNOVATIVE AND SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS. (a) The comptroller may award |
|
a grant to a nonprofit organization eligible under Subsection (b) |
|
for the development, support, or expansion of programs to prepare |
|
low-income students for careers in high-demand occupations. |
|
(b) To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a |
|
nonprofit organization must: |
|
(1) provide a program to offer assistance to |
|
low-income students in preparing for, applying to, and enrolling in |
|
a public junior college or public technical institute; |
|
(2) be governed by a board or other governing |
|
structure that includes recognized leaders of broad-based |
|
community organizations and members of the local business |
|
community; |
|
(3) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the advisory |
|
board that the organization's program has achieved or will achieve |
|
the following measures of success among program participants, to |
|
the extent applicable to the type of program the organization |
|
provides: |
|
(A) above average completion of developmental |
|
education among participating public junior college or public |
|
technical institute students; |
|
(B) above average persistence rates among |
|
participating public junior college or public technical institute |
|
students; |
|
(C) above average certificate or degree |
|
completion rates by participating students within a three-year |
|
period compared to demographically comparable public junior |
|
college and public technical institute students; and |
|
(D) employment of participating students at an |
|
average full-time starting wage that is equal to or greater than the |
|
prevailing wage for the occupation entered; and |
|
(4) provide matching funds in accordance with rules |
|
adopted under Section 134.008. |
|
(c) The matching funds required under Subsection (b)(4) may |
|
be obtained from any source available to the nonprofit |
|
organization, including in-kind contributions, community or |
|
foundation grants, individual contributions, and local |
|
governmental agency operating funds. |
|
(d) Grants awarded under this section must be awarded in a |
|
manner that takes a balanced geographical distribution into |
|
consideration. |
|
Sec. 134.006. GRANTS TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR CAREER |
|
AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (a) The comptroller may award a |
|
grant for the development of new career and technical education |
|
courses or programs at public junior colleges and public technical |
|
institutes. |
|
(b) A grant received under this section may be used only: |
|
(1) to support courses or programs that prepare |
|
students for career employment in occupations that are identified |
|
by local businesses as being in high demand; |
|
(2) to finance initial costs of career and technical |
|
education course or program development, including the costs of |
|
constructing or renovating facilities, purchasing equipment, and |
|
other expenses associated with the development of a new course; and |
|
(3) to finance a career and technical education course |
|
or program that leads to a license, certificate, or postsecondary |
|
degree. |
|
(c) In awarding a grant under this section, the comptroller |
|
shall primarily consider the potential economic returns to the |
|
state from the development of the career and technical education |
|
course or program, and may consider whether the course or program is |
|
part of a new, emerging industry or high-demand occupation. |
|
(d) To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a |
|
public junior college or public technical institute must provide |
|
matching funds in accordance with rules adopted under Section |
|
134.008. The matching funds may be obtained from any source |
|
available to the college, including in-kind contributions, |
|
industry consortia, community or foundation grants, individual |
|
contributions, and local governmental agency operating funds. |
|
Sec. 134.007. SCHOLARSHIPS. (a) The comptroller may award |
|
a scholarship to a public junior college or public technical |
|
institute student. |
|
(b) To be eligible to receive a scholarship under this |
|
section, a student must: |
|
(1) demonstrate financial need; and |
|
(2) be enrolled in a training program for a |
|
high-demand occupation, as determined by the comptroller on the |
|
recommendation of the advisory board. |
|
Sec. 134.008. RULES. The comptroller shall adopt rules as |
|
necessary for the administration of this chapter. |
|
SECTION 13. Subsection (b), Section 29.190, Education Code, |
|
is repealed. |
|
SECTION 14. The change in law made by this Act to Subsection |
|
(a), Section 54.0065, Education Code, applies to a tuition rebate |
|
regardless of the date a student enters a general academic teaching |
|
institution as a first-time freshman. |
|
SECTION 15. The change in law made by this Act to Subsection |
|
(d), Section 61.0595, Education Code, applies beginning with the |
|
funding recommendations made under Section 61.059, Education Code, |
|
for the 2011-2012 academic year. |
|
SECTION 16. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board |
|
shall adopt the rules required by Section 61.0764, Education Code, |
|
as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after this Act takes |
|
effect. For that purpose, the coordinating board may adopt the |
|
initial rules in the manner provided by law for emergency rules. |
|
SECTION 17. Sections 4, 5, and 6 of this Act apply beginning |
|
with the 2009-2010 school year. |
|
SECTION 18. This Act does not make an appropriation. This |
|
Act takes effect only if a specific appropriation for the |
|
implementation of the Act is provided in a general appropriations |
|
act of the 81st Legislature. |
|
SECTION 19. Except as provided by Section 18 of this Act, |
|
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. If this Act does not |
|
receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes |
|
effect September 1, 2009, except as provided by Section 18 of this |
|
Act. |