79R3859 BDH-D

By:  Leibowitz                                                    H.B. No. 890



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a statewide student tracking system.                              
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 7, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 7.008 to read as follows:
	Sec. 7.008.  STATEWIDE STUDENT TRACKING SYSTEM.  (a)  The 
commissioner by rule shall adopt and implement a statewide student 
tracking system as provided by this section.
	(b)  The student tracking system must:                                  
		(1)  produce reports for agency officials and 
policymakers and update information on each student's:
			(A)  current enrollment and enrollment history;                       
			(B)  attendance;                                                      
			(C)  achievement, including course or grade 
completion, assessment instrument results, and the type of high 
school program completed;
			(D)  immunization history;                                            
			(E)  participation in a public assistance program 
under Chapter 31, 32, or 33, Human Resources Code;
			(F)  status as a student of limited English 
proficiency;            
			(G)  if applicable, specific reason for leaving a 
school or school district, such as transferring, graduating, or 
dropping out of school; and
			(H)  other demographic information, as determined 
by the commissioner; and
		(2)  to facilitate the electronic transfer of student 
records and the evaluation and improvement of educational programs 
in the state, permit an authorized state or school district 
official to electronically retrieve information about a particular 
student as necessary.
	(c)  Each school district shall participate in the student 
tracking system, as determined by the commissioner.
	(d)  The commissioner may solicit and accept grant funds to 
maintain the student tracking system and to make the system 
available to school districts.
	(e)  Information and records contained in the student 
tracking system established under this section are confidential and 
exempt from disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code, and may 
be disclosed only as necessary for the purposes of this section.
	SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2006-2007 
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, 2005.