BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.H.B. 572
87R28467 MLH-F	By: Dutton (Lucio)
	Education
	5/24/2021
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

One in five Texas freshmen will not graduate high school, and this number is expected to grow after the 2020 school disruptions. Without a high school diploma, these students represent a loss of potential in their own lives and for the Texas economy at large. Current Texas education law, especially funding, does not allow for much flexibility in creating alternative programs for students who cannot conform to school schedules. Consequently, students with unique circumstances, such as needing to work to provide for their family, find themselves unable to complete high school or to return after failing to graduate.

The committee substitute for H.B. 572 takes a first step toward expanding programs that will help these non-traditional learners by studying the subject of competency-based education programs. The bill directs the Texas Education Agency to study how such programs could be integrated into the state's school finance and accountability systems, and specifically how such programs could best benefit non-traditional students. By studying this unique educational format, the 88th Legislature will be well-positioned to take further action to expand options for adult students to receive their high school diplomas in a setting that meets their challenging circumstances.

C.S.H.B. 572 amends current law relating to a study by the Texas Education Agency on competency-based educational programs.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, by adding Section 29.928, as follows:

Sec. 29.928. STUDY ON COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. (a) Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to conduct a study on the implementation of competency-based educational programs by public schools in the state.

(b) Requires that the study to analyze methods of providing funding for competency-based educational programs that do not rely on average daily attendance, methods of assessing the performance of competency-based educational programs under the public school accountability system, and methods of providing competency-based educational programs to nontraditional students, including adult students.

(c) Authorizes TEA to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source to fund the study.

(d) Requires TEA, not later than December 1, 2022, to prepare and submit to the legislature a report on the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action.

(e) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2023.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.