H.B. 2804 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2804 By: Giddings Public Education Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, Texas school districts may offer courses for local credit for high school students in addition to those courses in the required curriculum. Courses provided through an internship program or through the innovative courses program are designed to further develop positive character traits and responsibilities of primary and secondary students. This internship program provides a positive experience and develops responsibility, loyalty, respect, integrity, civic values, and good citizenship. PURPOSE House Bill 2804 will continue to encourage high school students to take innovative courses such as the school district internship program because it would give students credit toward high school graduation. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 2804 amends the Education Code to permit a school district to offer courses for local credit in addition to the required curriculum, including an internship program in which a student works with an elected local, state, or national government official. EFFECTIVE DATE Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2003.