H.B. 774 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 774
By: Dutton
Public Education
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND

Under current law, school districts are required to provide students with
an alternative education program. This program includes student  focus on
English, math, science, history, and self-discipline, and also provides
for educational and behavioral needs of a student placed in such a
program. The programs offered are generally unaccredited courses to assist
in behavioral management or fillers for the student's schedule. Current
law, however, does not require the program to provide a high school
student in an alternative education program with accredited courses
necessary to graduate.  

PURPOSE 

House Bill 774 requires that the courses provided by the alternative
education program for a high school student include accredited courses
needed to fulfill high school graduation requirements. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion  this that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department,
agency, or institution. 


ANALYSIS

House Bill 774 amends the Education Code by requiring that each school
district provide an alternative education program that provides for
students' educational and behavioral needs, including a course necessary
for a high school student to fulfill the student's high school graduation
requirements in a timely manner.   

The bill repeals Section 37.008(l) which stipulates that a  school
district is not required to provide a course necessary to fulfill a
student's high school graduation requirements in the alternative education
program.  

This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 school year.


EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.