79R9261 CAS-F
By: Morrison H.B. No. 2805
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an early college education program to provide at-risk
and other students accelerated high school graduation and college
credit.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 29.908, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 29.908. EARLY [MIDDLE] COLLEGE EDUCATION [PILOT]
PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner shall establish and administer an
early [a middle] college education [pilot] program for students who
are at risk of dropping out of school or who wish to accelerate
completion of the high school program [completion]. For purposes
of this subsection [section], "student at risk of dropping out of
school" has the meaning assigned by Section 29.081.
(b) The program must:
(1) provide for a course of study that enables a
participating student to combine high school courses and
college-level courses during grade levels 9 through [11 and] 12;
(2) allow a participating student to complete high
school and, on or before the fifth anniversary of the date of the
student's first day of high school, receive [at least] a high school
diploma and either:
(A) an associate degree; or
(B) at least 60 semester credit hours toward a
baccalaureate degree [at the time of graduation];
(3) include articulation agreements [under Subchapter
T, Chapter 61,] with colleges, universities, and technical schools
in this state to provide a participating student access to
postsecondary educational and training opportunities at a [on the
campus of the] college, university, or technical school; and
(4) provide a participating student flexibility in
class scheduling and academic mentoring.
(b-1) Each articulation agreement under Subsection (b)(3)
must address:
(1) curriculum alignment;
(2) instructional materials;
(3) the instructional calendar;
(4) courses of study;
(5) eligibility of students for higher education
financial assistance;
(6) student enrollment and attendance;
(7) grading periods and policies; and
(8) administration of statewide assessment
instruments under Subchapter B, Chapter 39.
(b-2) The P-16 Council established under Section 61.077
shall provide guidance in case of any conflict that arises between
parties to an articulation agreement under Subsection (b)(3).
(c) A student participating in the program is entitled to
the benefits of the Foundation School Program in proportion to the
amount of time spent by the student on high school courses, in
accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner, while completing
the course of study established by the applicable articulation
agreement under Subsection (b)(3). The commissioner may accept
gifts, grants, and donations from any source, including private and
nonprofit organizations, to pay any costs of the program not
covered by the student's Foundation School Program benefits.
(d) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to
administer the program. The rules may provide for giving
preference in receiving program benefits to a student who is in the
first generation of the student's family to attend college and may
establish other distinctions or criteria based on student need.
The commissioner shall consult the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board in [establishing and] administering the
program. The P-16 Council may make recommendations, including
recommendations for rules, concerning administration of the
program.
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, 2005.