SRC-AMY C.S.S.B. 112 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 112 78R8264 BDH-DBy: Van de Putte Education 3/11/2003 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the Texas education system prepares students well for a secondary degree, however, many students to not attend college or university, or attend but do not graduate with a secondary degree. The focus on preparation for a secondary education prevents students from entering directly into the workforce prepared for today's job market, including high-wage, technical jobs. C.S.S.B. 112 authorizes the State Board of Education to develop and implement a plan for career and technology education, and expands the role of business representatives in district and planning committees. C.S.S.B. 112 also allows for partnerships between wealthy and poor districts to serve multiple areas, for school boards to recognize students' achievement in career and technology programs, and for incentives for businesses' participation in the programs. 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, by including business representatives in the list referring to groups which are required to be represented on committees relating to career and technology education and training. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 28.002, Education Code, by adding Subsection (n) to authorize the State Board of Education to develop and implement, by rule, a plant to incorporate foundation curriculum requirements into the career and technology education curriculum under Subsection (a)(2)(F) (referring to required career and technology enrichment curriculum). SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 29F, 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 Education Programs), to develop and offer a program, that provides a rigorous course of study consistent with required curriculum under Section 28.002 (Required Curriculum), under which a student may receive specific education in a career and technology profession which meets certain criteria and obtain an award, from a school district, for distinguished achievement in career and technology education and a stamp or other notation on the student's transcript that indicates receipt of the award. (b) Provides that an award granted 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). (c) Requires a 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 a board of trustees of a school district to contract with an entity listed in Section 29.184(a) for assistance in developing the program or providing instruction to district students participating in the program. (e) Authorizes a board of trustees of a school district to also contract with a local business or a local 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 a 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 district student while working for the business as part of a 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 requirements regarding the insurer and submission. (g) Provides that if a business that contracts with a district under Subsection (e) obtains any insurance related to the student, other than liability insurance, any proceeds thereof must be used for the benefit of the student and the student's family. (h) Requires a board of trustees of a school district to submit a proposed program under this section to the commissioner of education in accordance with criteria established by the commissioner. SECTION 4. Amends Chapter 29F, Education Code, by adding Section 29.188, as follows: Sec. 29.188. RECOGNITION OF SUCCESSFUL CAREER AND TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM. Provides that the governor is encouraged 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 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 exempt agreements under Section 41.125 (Career and Technology Education Programs) from the requirement that the board of trustees of a district that will be educating nonresident students to order and conduct an election to obtain voter approval of the agreement. SECTION 6. Makes a conforming change to Section 41.123, Education Code, regarding Section 41.125, Education Code. SECTION 7. Amends Chapter 41E, Education Code, by adding Section 41.125, as follows: Sec. 42.125. CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (a) Authorizes the board of trustees of a school district with a wealth per student that exceeds the equalized 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) Provides that the agreement is not effective unless the commissioner certifies certain requirements. SECTION 8. Amends Section 61.077(b), Education Code, by requiring the Joint Advisory Committee (committee) to cooperate with the commissioner of higher education and the State Board of Education, when it acts as the State Board for Career and Technology Education on certain issues. Makes a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 9. Amends Chapter 301D, Labor Code, by adding Section 301.0611, as follows: Sec. 301.0611. COORDINATION OF CERTAIN AWARDS AND INCENTIVES. Requires TWC, the comptroller of public accounts of the State of Texas, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to prepare and make available to the public a list of all awards and incentives available for business participation in certain activities regarding a career and technology education program. SECTION 10. Provides that it is the intent of the legislature that public schools provide career and technology education by teaching fundamental academic skills and providing practical, hands-on learning experiences in order to prepare students for postsecondary educational opportunities and highskill, high-wage employment opportunities and should not include mandatory career-tracking for students or result in professional certification instead of receipt of a high school diploma. SECTION 11. Provides that this Act takes effect September 1, 2003, except that Sections 1 and 3 take effect immediately and apply beginning with the 2003-2004 school year if this Act recieves a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. Provides that if this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, Sections 1 and 3 take effect September 1, 2003. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Differs from the original in SECTION 1 by deleting references to industry and industry representatives. Differs from the original in SECTION 2 by deleting the original SECTION 2 and adding new text regarding the State Board of Education's rulemaking authority. Differs from the original in SECTION 3 by specifying that the program provide a rigorous course of study consistent with required curriculum and including as Subdivision (g) the requirement that if a business receives any proceeds from insurance, other than liability insurance, related to the student those benefits must used for the benefit of the student and the student's family. Redesignates the original Subdivision (g) as Subdivision (h). Differs from the original in SECTION 5 by inserting new text exempting career and technology education programs and consequently redesignates original SECTIONS 5 -10 as SECTIONS 6 - 11. Differs from the original in SECTION 7 by deleting proposed Section 41.125(c) referring to a requirement for voter approval. Differs from the original in SECTION 8 by deleting a reference to the Career and Technology Education Advisory Board as one of the entities with which the joint advisory committee intends to cooperate on certain issues.