BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                       H.B. 608

79R8367 KKA-D                                                                                               By: Giddings (Ellis)

Education

5/16/2005

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, Texas school districts may offer courses for local credit for high school students in addition to those courses in the required curriculum.  H.B. 608 amends the Education Code to permit a school district to offer, for local credit, an internship program in which a student works with an elected local, state, or federal government official.

H.B. 608 clarifies that the State Board of Education shall permit course credit earned through an internship program under this statute to be used to comply with appropriate state elective course credit requirements for high school graduation.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends 28.002(f), Education Code, as follows:

(f) Sets forth programs which may be offered in addition to the required curriculum.  Requires the State Board of Education to permit course credit earned through certain internship programs to be used to comply with the appropriate state elective course credit requirements for high school graduation.  Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.