SRC-JEC H.B. 242 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 242 78R8264 BDH-DBy: Seaman (Van de Putte) Education 4/14/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Many students who do not earn a four-year college degree find themselves inadequately prepared for the increasingly technological job market. H.B. 242 addresses career and technology education issues in several ways, including broadening the participation of industry and business representatives in educational planning activities; allowing a school district to recognize a student's achievement in a career and technology program through an award; encouraging the governor to recognize school districts with successful career and technology programs; allowing wealthy school districts to partner with poor districts for the creation of career and technology programs that can serve more than one district; and requiring information about awards and incentives for business participation in career and technology education to be publicized. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the State Board of Education in SECTION 2 (Section 28.002, Education Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 11.251(b), Education Code, to require business representatives to be included in district- and campus-level planning and decision-making committees to establish and review the district's and campuses' educational plans, goals, performance objectives, and major classroom instructional programs. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 28.002, Education Code, by adding Subsection (n), to authorize the State Board of Education (SBOE) by rule to develop and implement a plan designed to incorporate foundation curriculum requirements into the career and technology education curriculum under Subsection (a)(2)(F). SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, by adding Section 29.187, as follows: Sec. 29.187. AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT IN CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION; PROGRAM. (a) Authorizes the board of trustees of a school district, in addition to the authority granted under Section 29.183 (Career and Technology and Other Educational Programs), to develop and offer a program that provides a rigorous course of study consistent with the required curriculum under Section 28.002 and under which a student may receive specific education in a career and technology profession that meets certain criteria, and obtain from the district an award for distinguished achievement in career and technology education and a note on the student's transcript indicating receipt of the award. (b) Provides that an award under this section is not in lieu of a diploma or certificate of coursework completion issued under Section 28.025 (High School Diploma and Certificate; Academic Achievement Record). (c) Requires the board of trustees of a school district, in developing a program under this section, to consider the state plan for career and technology education required under Section 29.182 (State Plan for Career and Technology Education). (d) Authorizes the board of trustees of a school district to contract with an entity listed in Section 29.184(a) (listing certain education institutions) for assistance in developing the program or providing instruction to participating students. (e) Authorizes the board of trustees of a school district to contract with a local business or institution of higher education for assistance in developing or operating a program under this section. Authorizes a program to provide education in areas of technology unique to the local area. (f) Authorizes the board of trustees of a school district to provide insurance to protect a business that contracts with the district under Subsection (e) against liability for a bodily injury sustained by or the death of a student while working for the business as part of the program established under this section. Requires the board to notify the parent or guardian of each student working for a business if the board provides insurance to the business under this subsection. Requires the amount of insurance the district provides to be reasonable considering the financial condition of the district. Requires the insurance to meet certain criteria. (g) Requires any proceeds of insurance other than liability insurance obtained by a business contracting with a district under Subsection (e) to be used for the benefit of the student and the student's family. (h) Requires the board of trustees of a school district to submit a proposed program under this section to the commissioner of education (commissioner) in accordance with criteria established by the commissioner. SECTION 4. Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, by adding Section 29.188, as follows: Sec. 29.188. RECOGNITION OF SUCCESSFUL CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAM. Encourages the governor to present a proclamation or certificate to each member of the business and industry community that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), in cooperation with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), determines has successfully assisted in the provision of a career and technology education program under this subchapter. SECTION 5. Amends Section 41.122(a), Education Code, to include an exception for an agreement under Section 41.125 to the requirement that a board of trustees of a district educating nonresident students obtain voter approval of an agreement under this subchapter. SECTION 6. Amends Section 41.123, Education Code, to except students served under Section 41.125 from the weighted average daily attendance count and to provide that those students are counted in a manner determined by the commissioner. SECTION 7. Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 41, Education Code, by adding Section 41.125, as follows: Sec. 41.125. CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (a) Authorizes the board of trustees of a school district with a wealth per student that exceeds the equalized wealth level to reduce the district's wealth per student by executing an agreement to provide students of one or more other districts with career and technology education through a program designated as an area program for career and technology education. (b) Sets forth certain elements that must be certified by the commissioner for the agreement to be effective. SECTION 8. Amends Section 61.077(b), Education Code, to provide that one purpose of the committee is to cooperate with, rather than advise, the commissioner of higher education and SBOE on certain tasks. Makes a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 9. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 301, Labor Code, by adding Section 301.0611, as follows: Sec. 301.0611. COORDINATION OF CERTAIN AWARDS AND INCENTIVES. Requires TWC, in cooperation with TEA, the comptroller of public accounts, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, to prepare and make available to the public a list of all awards and incentives available for business participation in a school district's career and technology education program under Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, or any other career and technology education training. SECTION 10. Sets forth legislative intent. SECTION 11. Effective date: September 1, 2003. SECTIONS 1 and 3: effective upon passage and apply beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, or September 1, 2003.