By: Lucio III	H.B. No. 3706

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to certain alternative education programs designed to
	address workforce development needs for at risk students.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 29.081, Education Code, is amended by
	amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsections (e-1) and (e-2) to
	read as follows:
	(e)  A school district may use a private or public
	community-based dropout recovery education program to provide
	alternative education programs for students at risk of dropping out
	of school.  The program may be offered:
	(1)  at a campus; or
	(2)  through the use of an Internet online program that
	leads to a high school diploma and prepares the student to enter the
	workforce.
	(e-1)  A campus-based dropout recovery education program
	[The programs] must:
	(1)  provide not less than four hours of instructional
	time per day;
	(2)  employ as faculty and administrators persons with
	baccalaureate or advanced degrees;
	(3)  provide at least one instructor for each 28
	students;
	(4)  perform satisfactorily according to performance
	indicators and accountability standards adopted for alternative
	education programs by the commissioner; and
	(5)  comply with this title and rules adopted under
	this title except as otherwise provided by this subsection.
	(e-2)  An Internet online dropout recovery education program
	must:
	(1)  include as a part of its curriculum credentials,
	certifications, or other course offerings that relate directly to
	employment opportunities in the state;
	(2)  employ as faculty and administrators persons with
	baccalaureate or advanced degrees;
	(3)  provide an academic coach and local advocate for
	each student;
	(4)  use an individual learning plan to monitor each
	student's progress;
	(5)  establish satisfactory requirements for the
	monthly progress of students according to standards set by the
	commissioner;
	(6)  provide a monthly report to the student's school
	district regarding the student's progress;
	(7)  perform satisfactorily according to performance
	indicators and accountability standards adopted for alternative
	education programs by the commissioner; and
	(8)  comply with this title and rules adopted under
	this title except as otherwise provided by this subsection.
	SECTION 2.  Sections 29.0822(b) and (c), Education Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(b)  To enable a school district to provide a program under
	this section that meets the needs of students described by
	Subsection (a), a school district that meets application
	requirements may:
	(1)  provide flexibility in the number of hours each
	day a student attends;
	(2)  provide flexibility in the number of days each
	week a student attends; [or]
	(3)  allow a student to enroll in less than or more than
	a full course load; or
	(4)  allow a student to enroll in a dropout recovery
	program in which courses are conducted online.
	(c)  Except in the case of a course designed for a student
	described by Subsection (a)(3) or enrolled in a course described by
	Subsection (b)(4), a course offered in a program under this section
	must provide for at least the same number of instructional hours as
	required for a course offered in a program that meets the required
	minimum number of instructional days under Section 25.081 and the
	required length of school day under Section 25.082.
	SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018
	school year.
	SECTION 4.  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, 2017.