BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 789
88R23070 TSS-D	By: Johnson
	Education
	4/19/2023
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Texas Education Agency (TEA) school ratings indicate, among other things, how well a school prepares its students for success after high school in college, the workforce, or the military. Currently, Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) track completion is not a factor in determining these ratings. This educational model was researched and designated to target and serve students who might not otherwise attend college. Districts that go through the process to receive this designation benefit their students and the state by facilitating work experience and certifications that align with regional workforce needs, and guiding students into high-demand, high-wage careers.

Current law requires TEA to evaluate schools across three domains. In the student achievement domain, Section 39.053(c-1), Education Code, high school campuses must be evaluated based on many indicators including student Advanced Placement test performance, dual-course credits earned by students, students who enlist in the armed forces, students who earn industry certifications, and students who are awarded an associate's degree.

S.B. 789 would add completion of a P-TECH, or another early college high school, program to TEA's student achievement domain, which contributes to a school's A-F rating. S.B. 789 would also ensure that schools get credit for their P-TECH programs in the form of distinction designations they may receive under Section 39.202, Education Code. These schools should receive credit for their students who complete a P-TECH program. This will not only reward the 108 current P-TECH schools for their success, but encourage more schools to pursue this particular TEA-supported model. 

The committee substitute to S.B. 789 strikes sections one and two of the introduced bill and highlights the addition of completion of a P-TECH program to the list of academic distinction designation for districts and campuses. The committee substitute would also increase the P-TECH allotment cap from $50 to $150.

C.S.S.B. 789 amends current law relating to academic distinction designations under the public school accountability system and the career and technology allotment under the Foundation School Program.

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 Section 39.202, Education Code, as follows:

Sec. 39.202. ACADEMIC DISTINCTION DESIGNATION FOR DISTRICTS AND CAMPUSES. Requires the commissioner of education to adopt criteria for the designation under this section, including:

(1) makes no changes to this subdivision;

(2) percentages of:

(A)-(C) makes no changes to these paragraphs;

(D) makes a nonsubstantive change to this paragraph;

(E) makes no changes to this paragraph;

(F) students who completed a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program established under Subchapter N (Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) Program), Chapter 29, or another early college high school program; and

(3) makes no changes to this subdivision.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 48.106(a-1), Education Code, as follows:

(a-1) Provides that a district, in addition to the amounts under Subsection (a) (relating to providing a district is entitled to� an annual allotment equal to a certain amount for each full-time equivalent student in average daily attendance in an approved career and technology education program in grades 7 through 12), for each student in average daily attendance, is entitled to $150, rather than $50, for certain campuses in which the student is enrolled.

SECTION 3. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2023�2024 school year.

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.