78R753 ESH-D

By:  Dutton                                                       H.B. No. 350



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to participation in cooperative career and technology 
education programs by certain high school students.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 29.187 to read as follows:
	Sec. 29.187.  PARTICIPATION IN COOPERATIVE EDUCATION 
PROGRAMS BY CERTAIN STUDENTS PROHIBITED.  (a)  In this section, 
"cooperative education program" means a component of a career and 
technology program under which a student:
		(1)  attends school for less than the entire school day 
prescribed by Section 25.082; and
		(2)  receives credit toward high school graduation for 
work performed for a private employer during a portion of the school 
day.
	(b)  A high school senior who, during the final semester of 
the student's junior year, received a final grade lower than the 
equivalent of 70 on a scale of 100 in two or more academic classes 
may not participate in a cooperative education program.
	SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 
school year.       
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.