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Senate Bill 1615 |
Senate Author: Bettencourt et al. |
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Effective: See below. |
House Sponsor: VanDeaver et al. |
Senate Bill 1615 amends the Education Code to rename the adult high school diploma and industry certification charter school program as the adult high school charter school program and to expand the scope of the program from a sole charter granted to a single nonprofit entity charter holder to a regulatory framework for similar charters that may be granted to additional entities. The bill limits the number of adult high school charters that may be granted within a specified initial period and creates an initial enrollment limit for newly chartered programs.
Senate Bill 1615 revises the requirements for an adult education program's instructional model and for associated training and services. The bill, in addition to revising specifications for the program's accountability framework, requires the commissioner of education to adopt a separate accountability framework for an adult education program located in a correctional facility and provides for transitional performance measures for both frameworks. The bill authorizes the revocation of a charter for certain repeated failures to meet performance standards and revises applicable provisions relating to charter eligibility and expansion amendments, appropriate secondary exit‑level testing, and program accountability. The bill raises the age at which a program student becomes ineligible for foundation school program (FSP) funding from 26 to 50 years of age.
Effective September 1, 2021, Senate Bill 1615 provides for transitional FSP funding for students in an applicable adult education program, including by removing a certain age distinction. Effective September 1, 2023, the bill establishes program‑specific methods for calculating relevant FSP funding components, including average daily attendance; the compensatory education allotment; the college, career, or military readiness outcomes bonus; and an additional allotment based on weighted student outcomes. Except as otherwise provided, the bill takes effect May 31, 2021. Implementation of a provision of the bill by the Texas Education Agency is mandatory only if a specific appropriation is made for that purpose.