By Solis of Cameron H.B. No. 2727
76R4558 ESH-F
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to tech-prep education.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
1-5 Subchapter T to read as follows:
1-6 SUBCHAPTER T. TECH-PREP EDUCATION
1-7 Sec. 61.851. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
1-8 (1) "Articulation agreement" means a written
1-9 commitment between the participants in a tech-prep consortium to a
1-10 program designed to provide students with a nonduplicative sequence
1-11 of progressive achievement leading to degrees or certificates in a
1-12 tech-prep education program.
1-13 (2) "Division" means the Community and Technical
1-14 Colleges Division of the coordinating board or its successor
1-15 division.
1-16 (3) "Junior college" means an institution of higher
1-17 education that awards associate degrees as provided by Chapter 130.
1-18 (4) "Tech-prep consortium" means a regional
1-19 collaboration of school districts, institutions of higher
1-20 education, businesses, labor organizations, and other participants
1-21 to work together to effectively implement a regional tech-prep
1-22 program.
1-23 (5) "Technical college" means a campus of the Texas
1-24 State Technical College System established under Chapter 135.
2-1 Sec. 61.852. TECH-PREP PROGRAM. (a) A tech-prep program is
2-2 a program of study that:
2-3 (1) combines at least two years of secondary education
2-4 with at least two years of postsecondary education in a
2-5 nonduplicative, sequential course of study based on the recommended
2-6 high school program adopted by the State Board of Education under
2-7 Section 28.025(a);
2-8 (2) integrates academic instruction and vocational and
2-9 technical instruction;
2-10 (3) uses work-based and worksite learning where
2-11 available and appropriate;
2-12 (4) provides technical preparation in a career field
2-13 such as engineering technology, applied science, a mechanical,
2-14 industrial, or practical art or trade, agriculture, health
2-15 occupations, business, or applied economics;
2-16 (5) builds student competence in mathematics, science,
2-17 reading, writing, communications, economics, and workplace skills
2-18 through applied, contextual academics and integrated instruction
2-19 in a coherent sequence of courses;
2-20 (6) leads to an associate or baccalaureate degree or a
2-21 postsecondary certificate in a specific career field; and
2-22 (7) leads to placement in appropriate employment or to
2-23 further education.
2-24 (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(1), a tech-prep
2-25 consortium is encouraged to include four years of secondary
2-26 education in a tech-prep program.
2-27 Sec. 61.853. REGIONAL TECH-PREP CONSORTIA: GOVERNING BOARD;
3-1 DIRECTOR; FISCAL AGENT. (a) Each regional tech-prep consortium is
3-2 governed by a governing board composed of private sector and public
3-3 sector leaders in the ratio agreed to by the participants in the
3-4 consortium.
3-5 (b) The governing board shall determine the policies of the
3-6 tech-prep consortium.
3-7 (c) The governing board shall select a consortium director
3-8 to manage the consortium's affairs. The consortium director serves
3-9 at the will of the governing board.
3-10 (d) The governing board shall select a junior college,
3-11 technical college, university, regional education service center,
3-12 independent school district, council of governments, or private
3-13 industry council to act as the tech-prep consortium's fiscal agent
3-14 and to provide human resource and business office services for the
3-15 consortium. The fiscal agent serves at the direction of the
3-16 governing board and under the terms of an agreement between the
3-17 governing board and the fiscal agent.
3-18 Sec. 61.854. TECH-PREP CONSORTIUM ALLOTMENT. (a) In each
3-19 fiscal year, the division, as the agent of the Texas Education
3-20 Agency, shall allot the federal tech-prep implementation money this
3-21 state receives to the regional tech-prep consortia for regional
3-22 administration according to regionally developed plans designed to
3-23 meet regional goals. The division shall allot the money to
3-24 tech-prep consortia in accordance with a formula adopted by the
3-25 coordinating board that addresses the differing needs of consortia
3-26 due to urban or rural populations, special populations, number of
3-27 tech-prep programs and students, and other factors determined by
4-1 the coordinating board each year.
4-2 (b) An eligible tech-prep consortium that desires assistance
4-3 under this section must submit an application to the division on a
4-4 form prescribed by the division for that purpose. The form must
4-5 address the formula adopted by the coordinating board under
4-6 Subsection (a).
4-7 (c) If a tech-prep consortium has a completed application on
4-8 file under Subsection (b), the division shall make a payment in the
4-9 amount of the consortium's allotment under Subsection (a) to the
4-10 consortium's fiscal agent.
4-11 Sec. 61.855. GRANTS FOR TECH-PREP EDUCATION. (a) From
4-12 amounts made available under Section 61.854, the division, in
4-13 accordance with this subchapter and with a formula adopted by the
4-14 coordinating board, shall award grants to tech-prep consortia for
4-15 tech-prep programs described by Subsection (c).
4-16 (b) To be eligible for a grant, a tech-prep consortium must
4-17 be composed of:
4-18 (1) a local educational agency, intermediate
4-19 educational agency, area vocational and technical education school
4-20 serving secondary school students, or a secondary school funded by
4-21 the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
4-22 (2) one of the following institutions of higher
4-23 education:
4-24 (A) a nonprofit institution of higher education
4-25 that offers:
4-26 (i) a two-year associate degree program or
4-27 a two-year certificate program and that is qualified as a junior
5-1 college or technical college to award associate degrees under
5-2 Chapter 130 or 135, including an institution receiving assistance
5-3 under the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of
5-4 1978 (25 U.S.C. Section 1801 et seq.) and its subsequent amendments
5-5 as a tribally controlled postsecondary vocational or technical
5-6 institution; or
5-7 (ii) a two-year apprenticeship program
5-8 that follows secondary instruction, if the nonprofit institution of
5-9 higher education is not prohibited from receiving assistance under
5-10 Part B, Title IV, of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
5-11 Section 1071 et seq.) and its subsequent amendments as provided by
5-12 Section 435(a) of that Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1085(a)) and its
5-13 subsequent amendments;
5-14 (B) a proprietary institution of higher
5-15 education that offers a two-year associate degree program and that:
5-16 (i) is qualified as an institution of
5-17 higher education under Section 102 of the Higher Education Act of
5-18 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section 1002) and its subsequent amendments; and
5-19 (ii) is not subject to a default
5-20 management agreement plan required by the United States Secretary
5-21 of Education; or
5-22 (C) an institution of higher education that
5-23 awards a baccalaureate degree; and
5-24 (3) employers or labor organizations.
5-25 (c) A tech-prep program must:
5-26 (1) be implemented under an articulation agreement;
5-27 (2) consist of two to four years of secondary school
6-1 preceding graduation and:
6-2 (A) two or more years of higher education; or
6-3 (B) two or more years of apprenticeship
6-4 following secondary instruction;
6-5 (3) have a common core of required proficiency based
6-6 on the recommended high school program adopted by the State Board
6-7 of Education under Section 28.025(a), with proficiencies in
6-8 mathematics, science, reading, writing, communications, and
6-9 technologies designed to lead to an associate's degree or
6-10 postsecondary certificate in a specific career field;
6-11 (4) include the development of tech-prep program
6-12 curricula for both secondary and postsecondary participants in the
6-13 consortium that:
6-14 (A) meets academic standards developed by the
6-15 state;
6-16 (B) links secondary schools and two-year
6-17 postsecondary institutions, and, if practicable, four-year
6-18 institutions of higher education through nonduplicative sequences
6-19 of courses in career fields, including the investigation of
6-20 opportunities for tech-prep students to enroll concurrently in
6-21 secondary and postsecondary coursework;
6-22 (C) uses, if appropriate and available,
6-23 work-based or worksite learning in conjunction with business and
6-24 all aspects of an industry; and
6-25 (D) uses educational technology and distance
6-26 learning, as appropriate, to involve each consortium participant
6-27 more fully in the development and operation of programs;
7-1 (5) include in-service training for teachers that:
7-2 (A) is designed to train vocational and
7-3 technical teachers to effectively implement tech-prep programs;
7-4 (B) provides for joint training for teachers in
7-5 the tech-prep consortium;
7-6 (C) is designed to ensure that teachers and
7-7 administrators remain informed regarding current needs,
7-8 expectations, and methods of business and of all aspects of an
7-9 industry;
7-10 (D) focuses on training postsecondary education
7-11 faculty in the use of contextual and applied curricula and
7-12 instruction; and
7-13 (E) provides training in the use and application
7-14 of technology;
7-15 (6) include training programs for counselors designed
7-16 to enable counselors to more effectively:
7-17 (A) provide information to students regarding
7-18 tech-prep programs;
7-19 (B) support student progress in completing
7-20 tech-prep programs;
7-21 (C) provide information on related employment
7-22 opportunities;
7-23 (D) ensure that tech-prep students are placed in
7-24 appropriate employment; and
7-25 (E) remain informed regarding current needs,
7-26 expectations, and methods of business and of all aspects of an
7-27 industry;
8-1 (7) provide equal access to the full range of
8-2 tech-prep programs for individuals who are members of special
8-3 populations, including by the development of tech-prep program
8-4 services appropriate to the needs of special programs; and
8-5 (8) provide for preparatory services that assist
8-6 participants in tech-prep programs.
8-7 (d) A tech-prep consortium that receives a grant under this
8-8 section must use the money awarded to develop and operate a
8-9 tech-prep program described in Subsection (c).
8-10 (e) A tech-prep program may:
8-11 (1) provide for the acquisition of tech-prep program
8-12 equipment;
8-13 (2) acquire technical assistance from state or local
8-14 entities that have designed, established, and operated tech-prep
8-15 programs that have effectively used educational technology and
8-16 distance learning to deliver curricula and services and to develop
8-17 an articulation agreement; and
8-18 (3) establish articulation agreements with
8-19 institutions of higher education, labor organizations, or
8-20 businesses located in or out of the region served by the tech-prep
8-21 consortium, especially with regard to using distance learning and
8-22 educational technology to provide for the delivery of services and
8-23 programs.
8-24 Sec. 61.856. GRANT APPLICATION. (a) Each regional
8-25 tech-prep consortium that desires to obtain a grant under this
8-26 subchapter must submit an application to the division at the time
8-27 and in the manner the division prescribes.
9-1 (b) An application under this section must:
9-2 (1) contain a five-year plan for the development and
9-3 implementation of tech-prep programs;
9-4 (2) show that the application has been approved by the
9-5 tech-prep consortium's governing board; and
9-6 (3) show that the entity selected as the consortium's
9-7 fiscal agent has agreed to serve in that capacity.
9-8 (c) The division shall approve the application if the
9-9 application meets the requirements of this section and Section
9-10 61.854(b).
9-11 (d) The division shall give special consideration to an
9-12 application for a tech-prep program that:
9-13 (1) provides for effective employment placement
9-14 activities for students or for the transfer of students to
9-15 baccalaureate degree programs;
9-16 (2) is developed in consultation with business,
9-17 industry, institutions of higher education, and labor
9-18 organizations;
9-19 (3) effectively addresses the issues of school dropout
9-20 prevention, returning to school after dropping out, and the needs
9-21 of special populations;
9-22 (4) provides education or training in areas or skills
9-23 in which there are significant workforce shortages, including the
9-24 information technology industry; and
9-25 (5) demonstrates how tech-prep programs may help
9-26 students achieve high academic and employability competencies.
9-27 (e) In awarding grants under this subchapter, the division
10-1 shall ensure an equitable distribution of assistance between urban
10-2 and regional consortium participants.
10-3 Sec. 61.857. REPORT; REVIEW OF FIVE-YEAR PLAN. (a) Each
10-4 regional tech-prep consortium that receives a grant under this
10-5 subchapter shall annually prepare and submit to the division a
10-6 written report on the effectiveness of the tech-prep programs for
10-7 which the consortium received assistance. The report must include
10-8 a description of the manner in which the consortium awarded any
10-9 subgrants in the region served by the consortium.
10-10 (b) After the second year of the five-year plan required
10-11 under Section 61.856(b)(1), the consortium shall review the plan
10-12 and make any changes necessary.
10-13 Sec. 61.858. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS. (a) From funds
10-14 appropriated for the purpose, each fiscal year the division may
10-15 award grants to regional tech-prep consortia described by Section
10-16 61.855(b) to enable the consortia to establish and implement
10-17 tech-prep demonstration programs.
10-18 (b) A tech-prep demonstration program under this section:
10-19 (1) must involve the location of a secondary school on
10-20 the site of a junior college;
10-21 (2) must involve a business as a participant in the
10-22 tech-prep consortium;
10-23 (3) must include the voluntary participation of
10-24 secondary school students in the tech-prep program; and
10-25 (4) may provide summer internships at a business for
10-26 students or teachers.
10-27 (c) A regional tech-prep consortium that desires to obtain a
11-1 grant under this section must submit an application to the division
11-2 at the time and in the manner the division prescribes. The
11-3 application must include the information required by the board.
11-4 (d) A tech-prep demonstration program must:
11-5 (1) be implemented under an articulation agreement;
11-6 (2) consist of two to four years of secondary school
11-7 preceding graduation and:
11-8 (A) two or more years of higher education; or
11-9 (B) two or more years of apprenticeship
11-10 following secondary instruction;
11-11 (3) have a common core of required proficiency based
11-12 on the recommended high school program adopted by the State Board
11-13 of Education under Section 28.025(a), with proficiencies in
11-14 mathematics, science, reading, writing, communications, and
11-15 technologies designed to lead to an associate degree or
11-16 postsecondary certificate in a specific career field;
11-17 (4) include the development of tech-prep program
11-18 curricula for both secondary and postsecondary participants in the
11-19 consortium that:
11-20 (A) meets academic standards developed by the
11-21 state;
11-22 (B) links secondary schools and two-year
11-23 postsecondary institutions;
11-24 (C) uses, if appropriate and available,
11-25 work-based or worksite learning in conjunction with business and
11-26 all aspects of an industry; and
11-27 (D) uses educational technology and distance
12-1 learning, as appropriate, to involve each consortium participant
12-2 more fully in the development and operation of programs;
12-3 (5) include in-service training for teachers that:
12-4 (A) is designed to train vocational and
12-5 technical teachers to effectively implement tech-prep programs;
12-6 (B) provides for joint training for teachers in
12-7 the tech-prep consortium;
12-8 (C) is designed to ensure that teachers and
12-9 administrators remain informed regarding current needs,
12-10 expectations, and methods of business and of all aspects of an
12-11 industry;
12-12 (D) focuses on training postsecondary education
12-13 faculty in the use of contextual and applied curricula and
12-14 instruction; and
12-15 (E) provides training in the use and application
12-16 of technology;
12-17 (6) include training programs for counselors designed
12-18 to enable counselors to more effectively:
12-19 (A) provide information to students regarding
12-20 tech-prep programs;
12-21 (B) support student progress in completing
12-22 tech-prep programs;
12-23 (C) provide information on related employment
12-24 opportunities;
12-25 (D) ensure that tech-prep students are placed in
12-26 appropriate employment; and
12-27 (E) remain informed regarding current needs,
13-1 expectations, and methods of business and of all aspects of an
13-2 industry;
13-3 (7) provide equal access to the full range of
13-4 tech-prep programs for individuals who are members of special
13-5 populations, including by the development of tech-prep program
13-6 services appropriate to the needs of special programs; and
13-7 (8) provide for preparatory services that assist
13-8 participants in tech-prep programs.
13-9 (e) The division shall give special consideration to an
13-10 application for a tech-prep demonstration program that:
13-11 (1) provides for effective employment placement
13-12 activities for students;
13-13 (2) effectively addresses the issues of school dropout
13-14 prevention, returning to school after dropping out, and the needs
13-15 of special populations;
13-16 (3) provides education or training in areas or skills
13-17 in which there are significant workforce shortages, including the
13-18 information technology industry; and
13-19 (4) demonstrates how tech-prep programs may help
13-20 students achieve high academic and employability competencies.
13-21 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
13-22 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
13-23 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
13-24 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
13-25 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
13-26 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.