78R6596 KKA-D

By:  Shapleigh                                                    S.B. No. 1076



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a pilot project addressing obstacles to high school 
graduation. 
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 28.0252 to read as follows:
	Sec. 28.0252.  HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PILOT PROJECT.  (a)  
The commissioner shall establish a pilot project in five school 
districts selected by the commissioner under which the agency:
		(1)  examines patterns in student advancement through 
the educational system from kindergarten through high school;
		(2)  identifies obstacles interfering with the ability 
of students to graduate from high school, such as unavailability of 
early childhood services, including Head Start program services, 
unavailability of sufficient numbers of certified teachers in 
particular subject areas and at particular grade levels, student 
difficulties in particular subject areas, and difficulties 
associated with the provision of bilingual education services; and
		(3)  determines specific recommendations for 
addressing and removing the obstacles identified under Subdivision 
(2).
	(b)  In addition to the requirements described by Subsection 
(a), the pilot project in one of the five school districts must 
include a focus on dual language immersion programs authorized by 
Section 28.0051 and the effect of those programs on a student's 
ability to graduate from high school.
	(c)  Not later than January 15 of 2005 and 2007, the agency 
shall submit a report to the legislature describing the agency's 
activities under the pilot project and the recommendations arising 
from the project.
	(d)  This section expires September 1, 2007.                            
	SECTION 2.  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.