1-1                                   AN ACT

 1-2     relating to the Ector County Independent School District model

 1-3     career-targeted transition program.

 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-5           SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, is

 1-6     amended by adding Section 29.186 to read as follows:

 1-7           Sec. 29.186.  PILOT PROJECT.  (a)  The Ector County

 1-8     Independent School District may conduct a pilot project for a

 1-9     career-targeted transition program.

1-10           (b)  The program may develop, implement, and assess a high

1-11     school program with an integrated curriculum to provide high school

1-12     graduates with the elements necessary to develop a strong work

1-13     ethic, academic, technological, and communications skills, the

1-14     ability to work as part of a team, and specific career goals and

1-15     skills.  The program must provide students with the information and

1-16     training necessary for competency in curriculum areas and must

1-17     assess student competency.

1-18           (c)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, the

1-19     program shall:

1-20                 (1)  offer a curriculum consistent with Section

1-21     28.002(a);

1-22                 (2)  establish graduation requirements consistent with

1-23     rules adopted under Section 28.025 but which reflect integrated

1-24     curriculum and course requirements;

 2-1                 (3)  administer the assessment instrument required

 2-2     under Section 39.023(b); and

 2-3                 (4)  be exempt from administering assessment

 2-4     instruments required under Section 39.023(c).

 2-5           (d)  Using state funds appropriated for that purpose, the

 2-6     agency shall monitor, evaluate, and assess the development and

 2-7     implementation of the program.

 2-8           (e)  This section expires August 31, 2007.

 2-9           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the

2-10     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

2-11     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

2-12     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

2-13     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,

2-14     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its

2-15     passage, and it is so enacted.

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.B. No. 1468 was passed by the House on May

         10, 1997, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in

         Senate amendments to H.B. No. 1468 on May 28, 1997, by a non-record

         vote; and that the House adopted H.C.R. No. 328 authorizing certain

         corrections in H.B. No. 1468 on May 31, 1997.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

               I certify that H.B. No. 1468 was passed by the Senate, with

         amendments, on May 26, 1997, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays

         0; and that the Senate adopted H.C.R. No. 328 authorizing certain

         corrections in H.B. No. 1468 on June 1, 1997, by a viva-voce vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

         APPROVED:  _____________________

                            Date

                    _____________________

                          Governor