SRC-JFA C.S.H.B. 1468 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 1468 By: West (Bivins) Education 5-15-97 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST As the business community in Texas grows, so does the need for a population that is ready and trained to enter the workforce after high school. This bill would authorize the Ector County Independent School District to conduct a pilot project for a career-targeted program for high school graduates. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.H.B. 1468 authorizes the Ector County Independent School District to conduct a pilot project for a career-targeted program for high school graduates. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 29F, Education Code, by adding Section 29.186, as follows: Sec. 29.186. PILOT PROJECT. (a) Authorizes the Ector County Independent School District to conduct a pilot project for a career-targeted program. (b) Authorizes the program to develop, implement, and assess a high school program with an integrated curriculum to provide high school graduates with the elements necessary to develop a strong work ethic, academic, technological, and communications skills, the ability to work as part of a team, and specific career goals and skills. Requires the program to provide students with the information and training necessary for competency in curriculum areas and to assess student competency. (c) Requires the program, notwithstanding any other provision of this code, to offer a curriculum consistent with Section 28.002(a); to establish graduation requirements consistent with rules adopted under Section 28.025 but which reflect integrated curriculum and course requirements; to administer the assessment instrument required under Section 39.023(b); and to be exempt from administering assessment instruments required under Section 39.023(c). (d) Requires the Texas Education Agency, using state funds appropriated for that purpose, to monitor, evaluate and assess the development and implementation of the program. (e) Provides that this section expires August 31, 2007. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 29F, Education Code, to revise proposed Section 28.186. Originally, the proposed section related to a state model career-targeted transition program developed by the Ector County Independent School District (E.C.I.S.D.). The revised proposed section relates to a pilot project for a career-targeted program conducted by E.C.I.S.D. Adds proposed Subsection 28.186(e), providing that the section expires August 31, 2007.