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Amend HB 2217 by striking all below the enacting clause and
substituting the following:
SECTION 1. Sections 7.009(a) and (b), Education Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) In coordination with the Legislative Budget Board, the
agency shall establish an online clearinghouse of information
relating to best practices of campuses and school districts
regarding instruction, dropout prevention, public school finance,
resource allocation, and business practices. To the extent
practicable, the agency shall ensure that information provided
through the online clearinghouse is specific, actionable
information relating to the best practices of high-performing and
highly efficient campuses and school districts rather than general
guidelines relating to campus and school district operation. The
information must be accessible by campuses, school districts, and
interested members of the public.
(b) The agency shall solicit and collect from the
Legislative Budget Board, centers for education research
established under Section 1.005, and exemplary or recognized school
districts, campuses, and open-enrollment charter schools, as rated
under Section 39.072, examples of best practices relating to
instruction, dropout prevention, public school finance, resource
allocation, and business practices, including best practices
relating to curriculum, scope and sequence, compensation and
incentive systems, bilingual education and special language
programs, compensatory education programs, and the effective use of
instructional technology, including online courses.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 7, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 7.031 to read as follows:
Sec. 7.031. STUDY OF BEST PRACTICES FOR DROPOUT PREVENTION.
(a) The commissioner shall contract with one or more centers for
education research under Section 1.005 to:
(1) study the best practices of campuses and school
districts in this state and other states regarding dropout
prevention programs; and
(2) prepare a report regarding the findings of the
study.
(b) The report under Subsection (a) must:
(1) identify any high-performing and highly efficient
dropout prevention programs;
(2) identify the dropout prevention programs under
Subdivision (1) that have the most potential for success in this
state; and
(3) recommend legislation or other actions necessary
to implement a dropout prevention program identified under
Subdivision (2).
(c) Not later than December 1, 2008, the commissioner shall
deliver the report produced under Subsection (a) to the governor,
the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the presiding officers of the standing
committees of each house of the legislature with primary
jurisdiction over public education.
(d) This section expires January 1, 2009.
SECTION 3. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.4511 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.4511. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR
TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS. (a) From funds appropriated for that
purpose, the High School Completion and Success Initiative Board
established under Subchapter L, Chapter 39, may develop and award
grants to school districts, regional education service centers, and
institutions of higher education for the establishment of technical
assistance and professional development activities in the staff
development training of public school teachers and administrators.
(b) The training under this section shall include training
relating to implementing curriculum and instruction that is aligned
with the foundation curriculum described by Section 28.002(a)(1)
and standards and expectations for college readiness, as determined
by State Board of Education rule under Section 28.008(d).
(c) The High School Completion and Success Initiative Board
may give preference to a school district, regional education
service center, or institution of higher education conducting
professional development activities under this section that
applies for a grant in partnership with a state or national
organization that has demonstrated success in the development and
implementation of high school reform strategies.
SECTION 4. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.4541 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.4541. MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES PILOT
PROGRAM. (a) Using funds appropriated for that purpose, the
commissioner by rule shall establish a pilot program under which
participating school districts and campuses receive assistance in
developing the instructional expertise of teachers who instruct
students in mathematics at the middle school, junior high school,
or high school level.
(b) The commissioner shall select school districts and
campuses to participate in the pilot program that have relatively
low:
(1) levels of student performance at the middle
school, junior high school, or high school level on the assessment
instruments in mathematics required under Section 39.023; and
(2) numbers of teachers who are properly certified in
mathematics under Subchapter B.
(c) The commissioner shall design the pilot program so that
each participating school district or campus has access to the
services of an individual who is certified under Subchapter B to
teach mathematics at the appropriate grade levels and who has
significant experience in providing mathematics instruction to
students. The individual must be available to provide
instructional coaching to district or campus teachers who provide
instruction in mathematics at the middle school, junior high
school, or high school level. The instructional coaching may
include:
(1) providing classes to teachers on effective
mathematics instruction;
(2) providing individual tutoring to teachers
regarding effective mathematics instruction; or
(3) engaging in any other activities determined by the
commissioner as likely to improve the instructional skills of
teachers providing mathematics instruction.
(d) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to
implement the pilot program. In adopting rules under this
subsection, the commissioner shall adopt procedures that
coordinate a grant of funds under this section with the funding for
mentor teachers under Section 21.458.
SECTION 5. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.462 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.462. MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY TEACHER
PREPARATION ACADEMIES. (a) From funds appropriated for that
purpose, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
establish academies at institutions of higher education to improve
the instructional skills of teachers certified under Subchapter B
and train students enrolled in a teacher preparation program to
perform at the highest levels in mathematics, science, and
technology. The coordinating board may adopt rules as necessary to
administer this section.
(b) Before an institution of higher education establishes
an academy under this section, the institution must apply through a
competitive process, as determined by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board, and meet any requirements established by the
coordinating board for designation as an academy under this section
and continued funding. The institution of higher education must
have a teacher preparation program approved by the State Board for
Educator Certification or be affiliated with an approved program in
a manner that allows participants to meet the certification
requirements under Sections 21.0482, 21.0483, and 21.0484.
(c) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the
State Board for Educator Certification shall adopt rules to
coordinate the requirements of each board to facilitate the ability
of a graduate of an academy established under this section to obtain
a master teacher certificate under Section 21.0482, 21.0483, or
21.0484.
(d) A participant in an academy program must be:
(1) an experienced teacher who:
(A) is recommended by a school district; and
(B) has at least five years experience teaching
mathematics, science, or technology in assignments for which the
teacher met all certification requirements; or
(2) a teacher preparation program candidate who has or
will graduate with a degree in mathematics, science, or technology.
(e) An academy program shall:
(1) offer a masters-level degree as part of the
program on a schedule that allows a teacher participant to complete
the program and degree while employed as a teacher;
(2) coordinate with the mathematics, science, and
technology departments of the institution of higher education
operating the program to facilitate the ability of:
(A) academy participants to take advanced
courses and qualify for degrees; and
(B) teacher preparation program candidates
pursuing mathematics, science, or technology degrees to
participate in academy programs;
(3) integrate advanced subject-matter coursework with
instructional methodology and curriculum delivery; and
(4) focus on strengthening instructional skills.
(f) An academy program may:
(1) provide financial assistance for the purpose of
allowing participants to complete the program and obtain a master
teacher certificate under Section 21.0482, 21.0483, or 21.0484;
(2) include programs in leadership skills to develop
training, mentoring, and coaching skills;
(3) deliver coursework electronically for some or all
of the program; and
(4) provide for ongoing professional development and
coordination with specific public school instructional programs.
(g) The commissioner of education shall, to the extent funds
are appropriated for that purpose:
(1) develop training materials under Sections 21.454
and 21.456 consistent with the academy training and master
mathematics, science, and technology certification;
(2) coordinate the activities of professional
development institutes in mathematics under Section 21.455 with
activities of academies established under this section; and
(3) target grants under Sections 21.411, 21.412, and
21.413 to support experienced teachers participating in an academy
program.
SECTION 6. Section 28.008, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d-1) to read as follows:
(d-1) Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, the State
Board of Education shall incorporate college readiness standards
and expectations into the essential knowledge and skills of the
foundation curriculum under Section 28.002(a)(1) for courses in
which students in grades nine through 12 generally enroll, as
determined by board rule. This subsection expires December 1,
2012.
SECTION 7. Section 28.0212, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:
(d) The agency shall establish minimum standards for a
personal graduation plan under this section.
(e) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to
administer this section.
SECTION 8. Subchapter C, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Sections 29.095 through 29.098 to read as
follows:
Sec. 29.095. GRANTS FOR STUDENT CLUBS. (a) In this
section:
(1) "Board" means the High School Completion and
Success Initiative Board established under Subchapter L, Chapter
39.
(2) "Student at risk of dropping out of school" has the
meaning assigned by Section 29.081(d).
(b) The board shall administer a pilot program to provide
grants to school districts to fund student club activities for
students at risk of dropping out of school. From funds appropriated
for purposes of this subchapter, the board shall spend an amount not
to exceed $5 million in any state fiscal biennium on the program.
(c) The board may award a grant in an amount not to exceed
$5,000 in a school year to a school district on behalf of a student
club at a district high school campus at which at least 60 percent
of students are identified as students at risk of dropping out of
school. To be eligible for a grant, the student club and the club's
sponsor must be sanctioned by the campus and district. A grant
awarded under this program must be matched by other federal, state,
or local funds, including donations, in an amount equal to the
amount of the grant. A district shall seek donations or
sponsorships from local businesses or community organizations to
raise the matching funds. The board may award a grant on behalf of
more than one student club at a campus in the same school year.
(d) The board shall establish application criteria for
receipt of a grant under this section. The criteria must require
confirmation that the appropriate campus-level planning and
decision-making committee established under Subchapter F, Chapter
11, and the school district board of trustees have approved a plan
that includes:
(1) a description of the student club;
(2) a statement of the student club's goals, intent,
and activities;
(3) a statement of the source of funds to be used to
match the grant;
(4) a budget for the student club;
(5) a statement showing that the student club's
finances are sustainable; and
(6) any other information the board requires.
(e) The board shall establish the minimum requirements for a
local grant agreement, including requiring:
(1) the agreement to be signed by the sponsor of a
student club receiving a grant and another authorized school
district officer; and
(2) the district and the student club to participate
in an evaluation, as determined by the board, of the club's program
and the program's effect on student achievement and dropout rates.
(f) A student club may use funds awarded under this section
to support academic or co-curricular club activities, other than
athletics, in which at least 50 percent of the participating
students have been identified as students at risk of dropping out of
school. A student club may use funds for materials, sponsor
stipends, and other needs that directly support the club's
activities. A student club must use the entire amount of the grant
to directly fund the club's activities described in the plan
approved as provided by Subsection (d). A student club may not use
more than 50 percent of a grant to pay sponsor stipends.
(g) The school district board of trustees shall ensure that
funds awarded under this section are expended in compliance with
Subsection (f). At the end of the school year, a student club that
receives a grant must submit a report to the board of trustees
summarizing the club's activities and the extent to which the club
met the club's goals and achieved the club's intent. The decision
of the board of trustees under this subsection relating to
compliance with Subsection (f) is final and may not be appealed.
Sec. 29.096. COLLABORATIVE DROPOUT REDUCTION PILOT
PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "board" means the High School
Completion and Success Initiative Board established under
Subchapter L, Chapter 39.
(b) Using funds appropriated for that purpose, the board by
rule shall establish a pilot program under which a school district
or open-enrollment charter school may receive a grant to implement
a local collaborative dropout reduction program.
(c) In selecting school districts or open-enrollment
charter schools to participate and receive a grant under this
section, the board:
(1) shall consider districts and charter schools that:
(A) have a relatively high number, as determined
by the board, of students in grades six through 12 who drop out of
school;
(B) operate programs that serve a significant
population, as determined by the board, of students who have
dropped out of school; and
(C) are affected by local factors, including high
rates, as determined by the board, of juvenile delinquency and
other criminal activity; and
(2) may consider the availability to a school district
or charter school of the following factors to support a grant under
this section:
(A) matching funds or other funds; and
(B) coordinated services.
(d) The board shall establish application criteria for
receiving a grant under this section. The criteria must require a
school district or open-enrollment charter school that applies for
a grant to collaborate with local businesses, other local
governments or law enforcement agencies, nonprofit organizations,
faith-based organizations, or institutions of higher education to
deliver proven, research-based intervention services. The goal of
the program is to coordinate services and programs among local
entities to:
(1) comprehensively reduce the number of students who
drop out of school in that community; and
(2) increase the job skills, employment
opportunities, and continuing education opportunities of students
who might otherwise have dropped out of school.
(e) The board shall establish minimum standards for a local
collaborative agreement, including a requirement that the
agreement must be signed by an authorized school district or
open-enrollment charter school officer and an authorized
representative of each of the other participating entities that is
a partner in the collaboration. The program must:
(1) limit participation in the program to students
authorized to participate by a parent or other person standing in
parental relationship;
(2) have as a primary goal graduation from high school
under at least the minimum high school program;
(3) provide for local businesses or other employers to
offer paid employment or internship opportunities and advanced
career and vocational training;
(4) include an outreach component and a lead
educational staff member to identify and involve eligible students
and public and private entities in participating in the program;
(5) serve a population of students of which at least 50
percent are identified as students at risk of dropping out of
school, as described by Section 29.081(d);
(6) allocate not more than 15 percent of grant funds
and matching funds, as determined by the board, to administrative
expenses;
(7) include matching funds from any of the
participating entities; and
(8) include any other requirements as determined by
the board.
(f) A local collaborative agreement under this section may:
(1) be coordinated with other services provided to
students or their families by public or private entities;
(2) provide for local businesses to support the
program, including:
(A) encouraging employees to engage in mentoring
students and other school-related volunteer activities; and
(B) using matching funds to provide paid time off
for volunteer activities under Paragraph (A) and other activities
related to encouraging school involvement of parents of students
enrolled in the program;
(3) allow grant funds to reimburse reasonable costs of
participating entities;
(4) provide for electronic course delivery by a school
district, open-enrollment charter school, or an institution of
higher education; and
(5) be hosted or housed by a chamber of commerce, local
workforce agency, local employer, or other public or private
participating entity.
(g) The board may approve innovative instructional
techniques for course credit in the enrichment curriculum leading
to high school graduation under a collaborative program and shall
develop accountability measures appropriate to those programs. The
board may fund electronic courses that are part of a collaborative
program and that are otherwise eligible for state funds. Funding
for an electronic course may not exceed the total amount of state
and local funding for a student to which the school district or
open-enrollment charter school would otherwise be entitled.
(h) Nothing in this section authorizes the award of a high
school diploma other than in compliance with Section 28.025.
(i) The board shall adopt rules necessary to administer the
pilot program under this section.
Sec. 29.097. INTENSIVE TECHNOLOGY-BASED ACADEMIC
INTERVENTION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In this section:
(1) "Board" means the High School Completion and
Success Initiative Board established under Subchapter L, Chapter
39.
(2) "Pilot program" means the intensive
technology-based academic intervention pilot program.
(b) From funds appropriated for that purpose, the board by
rule shall establish a pilot program to award grants to
participating campuses to provide intensive technology-based
supplementary instruction in English, mathematics, science, or
social studies to students in grades nine through 12 identified as
being at risk of dropping out of school, as described by Section
29.081(d). Instruction techniques and technology used by a campus
under this section must be based on the best available research, as
determined by the board, regarding college and workforce readiness.
(c) The board may select for participation in the pilot
program only campuses in which at least 50 percent of the students
are identified as being at risk of dropping out of school, as
described by Section 29.081(d), and that are located in communities
that exhibit demographic characteristics that strongly correlate
with high dropout rates, including the following factors, as
determined by the commissioner:
(1) low rates of educational attainment, including
high school graduation and participation in and completion of
postsecondary education;
(2) high percentage of single-parent families;
(3) high crime rates; and
(4) high rates of poverty and unemployment.
(d) A program supported by a grant under this section to
provide intensive technology-based supplementary instruction at a
campus must:
(1) include comprehensive course plans and teacher
guides that are aligned with one or more subjects of the foundation
curriculum described by Section 28.002(a)(1);
(2) include technology-based supplementary
instruction;
(3) include at least four cumulative days of training,
professional development, and mentoring for teachers;
(4) provide students individual access to
technology-based supplementary instruction at least 90 minutes
each week;
(5) provide teachers daily access to required
technology;
(6) demonstrate significant effectiveness in high
schools serving students identified as being at risk of dropping
out of school, as described by Section 29.081(d);
(7) be selected in consultation with the teachers at
the affected campus; and
(8) be implemented in partnership with institutions of
higher education.
(e) The primary purpose of a program supported by a grant
under this section to provide intensive technology-based
supplementary instruction at a campus is to benefit students
identified as being at risk of dropping out of school, as described
by Section 29.081(d), but grant funds may be used to benefit a
campus-wide program if the use of the funds does not defeat the
primary purpose provided by this subsection.
(f) A grant awarded under this section:
(1) may not exceed $50 for each participating student;
and
(2) must be matched by other federal, state, or local
funds, including private donations.
(g) For purposes of Subsection (f)(2), a school district is
encouraged to use funds allocated under Section 42.2516(b)(3).
(h) A grant awarded under this section may not be used to
replace federal, state, or local funds previously spent on an
instructional program, but may be used to expand an existing
program.
(i) The entire amount of a grant awarded under this section:
(1) must fund the program described in the application
for the grant; and
(2) may be used for:
(A) supplementary instructional support systems;
(B) technology used primarily for the delivery of
supplementary instruction;
(C) teacher training and professional
development; and
(D) other necessary costs, as determined by the
board.
Sec. 29.098. INTENSIVE SUMMER PROGRAMS. (a) In this
section:
(1) "Board" means the High School Completion and
Success Initiative Board established under Subchapter L, Chapter
39.
(2) "Pilot program" means the intensive summer pilot
program for students identified as being at risk of dropping out of
school or college.
(b) From funds appropriated for that purpose, the board by
rule shall establish a pilot program to award grants to
participating campuses to provide intensive academic instruction
during the summer semester to promote college and workforce
readiness to students identified as being at risk of dropping out of
school or college. A grant awarded under this section may be used
to fund any of the following categories of programs:
(1) a program administered by an institution of higher
education to provide intensive academic instruction in English
language arts, mathematics, and science to facilitate the student's
transition from high school to a postsecondary institution;
(2) a program administered by a school district in
partnership with an institution of higher education to provide
intensive academic instruction in English language arts,
mathematics, and science to promote high school completion and
college readiness; and
(3) a program administered by a school district in
partnership with an institution of higher education to provide
intensive academic instruction in reading and mathematics to
students in grades six through eight to promote high school
completion and college readiness.
(c) The board may select for participation in the pilot
program only school district campuses in which at least 50 percent
of the students who attended the previous year or will attend the
following year are identified as being at risk of dropping out of
school, as described by Section 29.081(d), and are located in
communities that exhibit demographic characteristics that
correlate strongly with high dropout rates, including the following
factors, as determined by the commissioner:
(1) low rates of educational attainment, including
high school graduation and participation in and completion of
postsecondary education;
(2) high percentage of single-parent families;
(3) high crime rates; and
(4) high rates of poverty and unemployment.
(d) A grant may be awarded to an institution of higher
education for a program administered under Subsection (b)(1) only
if at least 50 percent of the students served in the program:
(1) have a score on the Scholastic Assessment Test
(SAT) or American College Test (ACT) that is equal to a score less
than the national mean score;
(2) have been awarded a grant under the federal Pell
grant program;
(3) are at least 20 years of age on the date the
student initially enrolls in the institution of higher education;
or
(4) have enrolled or will initially enroll as a
part-time student.
(e) A program supported by a grant to provide intensive
summer instruction under this section must:
(1) provide rigorous academic instruction;
(2) provide at least four weeks of instruction; and
(3) for a program described by Subsection (b)(2) or
(3), be designed and implemented in partnership with an institution
of higher education.
(f) To the extent practicable, an institution of higher
education shall create work-study opportunities for students
enrolled in teacher preparation programs to assist in providing
instruction in programs described by this section.
(g) A grant awarded under this section:
(1) may not exceed $750 for each participating
student; and
(2) must be matched by not less than $250 for each
participating student in other federal, state, or local funds,
including private donations.
(h) For purposes of Subsection (g)(2), a school district is
encouraged to use funds allocated under Section 42.2516(b)(3).
(i) A grant awarded under this section may not be used to
replace federal, state, or local funds previously spent on a summer
intensive program, but may be used to expand an existing program.
(j) The entire amount of a grant awarded under this section:
(1) must fund the program described in the application
for the grant; and
(2) may be used for:
(A) instructional materials;
(B) technology used primarily for the delivery of
supplementary instruction;
(C) teacher training and professional
development, including educator stipends; and
(D) other necessary costs, as determined by the
board.
(k) The commissioner of education and the commissioner of
higher education shall jointly develop or adopt assessment
instruments to diagnose students' readiness to perform
college-level work, assess the cumulative knowledge of students
participating in a program under this section, and ensure the
rigorous quality of the instruction provided. To the extent
practicable and appropriate, existing state-adopted assessment
instruments should be used for purposes of this subsection.
(l) All students enrolled in a program under this section
shall be administered an assessment instrument developed or adopted
under Subsection (k).
(m) The commissioner of education, in coordination with the
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall adopt a series of
optional questions to be included in an assessment instrument
administered under Subsection (l). The optional questions must be
developed in a manner consistent with any college readiness
standards adopted under Sections 39.113 and 51.3062.
(n) Instructional materials developed and adopted by the
State Board of Education shall be used for instruction in a program
under Subsection (b)(2) or (3). The State Board of Education may
develop and adopt any additional instructional materials as
necessary for a program under Subsection (b)(2) or (3). The Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board may develop and adopt
instructional materials as necessary for students enrolled in a
program under Subsection (b)(1).
(o) The State Board of Education and the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board shall include information technology
resources that incorporate established best practices for
instruction among approved instructional materials for intensive
summer programs under this section to enhance the effectiveness of
the programs.
SECTION 9. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Sections 29.917 and 29.918 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.917. HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE READINESS
PROGRAMS. (a) From funds appropriated for the purpose, the
commissioner may award grants to organizations that provide
volunteers to teach classroom or after-school programs to enhance:
(1) college readiness;
(2) workforce readiness;
(3) dropout prevention; or
(4) personal financial literacy.
(b) To implement or administer a program under this section,
the commissioner may accept gifts, grants, and donations from
public or private entities.
(c) The commissioner may conduct a study of the programs
under this section to determine the success of the programs in
preparing students for higher education and participation in the
workforce.
Sec. 29.918. DROPOUT PREVENTION STRATEGIES. (a)
Notwithstanding Section 42.152, a school district or
open-enrollment charter school with a high dropout rate, as
determined by the commissioner, must submit a plan to the
commissioner describing the manner in which the district or charter
school intends to use the compensatory education allotment under
Section 42.152 for developing and implementing research-based
strategies for dropout prevention.
(b) A school district or open-enrollment charter school to
which this section applies may not spend or obligate more than 25
percent of the district's or charter school's compensatory
education allotment unless the commissioner approves the plan
submitted under Subsection (a).
(c) The commissioner shall adopt rules to administer this
section. The commissioner may impose sanctions under Section
39.131 or 39.1321 if a school district or open-enrollment charter
school fails to timely comply with this section.
SECTION 10. Subchapter F, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.115 to read as follows:
Sec. 39.115. HIGH SCHOOL INNOVATION GRANT INITIATIVE. (a)
From funds appropriated for that purpose, the High School
Completion and Success Initiative Board established under
Subchapter L may provide grants to secondary campuses and school
districts to support:
(1) the implementation of innovative high school
improvement programs that are based on the best available research,
as determined by the board, regarding high school reform, dropout
prevention, and preparing students for postsecondary coursework or
employment; and
(2) enhancing education practices that have been
demonstrated by significant evidence of effectiveness, as
determined by the board.
(b) To receive a grant under this section, the High School
Completion and Success Initiative Board may require a campus or
school district to:
(1) obtain local matching funds; or
(2) meet other conditions, including developing a
personal graduation plan under Section 28.0212 for each student
enrolled at the campus or in a district high school.
SECTION 11. Chapter 39, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter L to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER L. HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION AND SUCCESS INITIATIVE
Sec. 39.351. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "board" means
the High School Completion and Success Initiative Board.
Sec. 39.352. HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION AND SUCCESS INITIATIVE
BOARD. (a) The High School Completion and Success Initiative Board
is established to coordinate improvement in secondary instruction
in public schools in this state.
(b) The board is composed of:
(1) the commissioner of education;
(2) the commissioner of higher education;
(3) five voting members appointed as follows:
(A) one member appointed by the governor;
(B) two members appointed by the lieutenant
governor; and
(C) two members appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives; and
(4) three nonvoting members, appointed by the
governor.
(c) In making appointments required by Subsection (b):
(1) the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of
the house of representatives shall appoint board members under
Subsection (b)(3) who have distinguished experience in:
(A) developing and implementing high school
reform strategies; and
(B) promoting college and workforce readiness;
and
(2) the governor shall appoint board members under
Subsection (b)(4) who represent private foundations that have made
a substantial investment in the improvement of high schools in this
state.
Sec. 39.353. TERMS. (a) Voting members of the board
appointed under Section 39.352(b)(3) serve staggered terms of two
years, with two members' terms expiring September 1 of each
even-numbered year and three members' terms expiring September 1 of
each odd-numbered year.
(b) Nonvoting members of the board appointed under Section
39.352(b)(4) serve one-year terms.
Sec. 39.354. PRESIDING OFFICER. The commissioner of
education serves as the presiding officer of the board.
Sec. 39.355. BOARD MEETINGS. Meetings of the board are
subject to Chapter 551, Government Code.
Sec. 39.356. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. A member of
the board is not entitled to compensation for service on the board
but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses
incurred in performing board duties.
Sec. 39.357. BOARD STAFF. Staff members of the agency and
the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall provide
administrative support for the board.
Sec. 39.358. STRATEGIC PLAN. (a) The board shall adopt a
strategic plan under this subchapter to:
(1) address the manner in which federal and state
funds appropriated or received for the purposes of high school
reform, dropout prevention, and preparation of students for
postsecondary coursework or employment shall be distributed;
(2) specify strategies to identify, support, and
expand programs to improve high school completion rates and college
and workforce readiness;
(3) develop and award grants that support the
strategic plan adopted under this section, including grants awarded
under Sections 21.4511, 21.4541, 29.095, 29.096, 29.097, 29.098,
and 39.115;
(4) establish criteria for scoring grant applications
subject to the strategic plan and for awarding grants on the basis
of the criteria adopted;
(5) award grants to school districts, open-enrollment
charter schools, institutions of higher education, regional
education service centers, or nonprofit organizations to meet the
goals of the board's strategic plan; and
(6) ensure that appropriate research and program
evaluation is conducted as provided by this subchapter.
(b) The commissioner of education and the commissioner of
higher education shall adopt rules as necessary to administer the
strategic plan adopted by the board under this section.
Sec. 39.359. GRANT APPLICATION REVIEW. From funds
appropriated for that purpose, the board shall set aside not more
than $500,000 annually to contract with one or more persons who have
experience in reviewing grant applications to score grant
applications subject to the strategic plan and make funding
recommendations to the board.
Sec. 39.360. PRIVATE FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIPS. (a) The
board shall coordinate with private foundations that have made a
substantial investment in the improvement of high schools in this
state to maximize the impact of public and private investments.
(b) A private foundation is not required to obtain the
approval of the board under Subsection (a) before allocating
resources to a school in this state.
Sec. 39.361. GRANT PROGRAM EVALUATION. (a) From funds
appropriated for high school improvement, the commissioner of
education shall set aside not more than $1.5 million annually to
contract with centers for education research established under
Section 1.005 to evaluate programs supported by grants approved by
the board under this subchapter.
(b) A person who receives a grant approved by the board
under this subchapter must consent to an evaluation under this
section as a condition of receiving the grant.
Sec. 39.362. REPORTS. (a) Not later than December 1 of
each even-numbered year, the board shall prepare and deliver a
report to the legislature that recommends any statutory changes the
board considers appropriate to promote high school completion and
college and workforce readiness.
(b) Not later than March 1 and September 1 of each year, the
commissioner of education shall prepare and deliver a progress
report to the presiding officers of the standing committees of each
house of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over public
education, the Legislative Budget Board, and the Governor's Office
of Policy and Planning on:
(1) the implementation of Sections 7.031, 21.4511,
21.4541, 21.462, 28.008(d-1), 28.0212(d), 29.095-29.098, 29.918,
and 39.115 and this subchapter; and
(2) the programs supported by grants approved by the
board.
SECTION 12. (a) The commissioner of education shall
prepare and deliver to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker
of the house of representatives, and the presiding officers of the
standing committees of each house of the legislature with primary
jurisdiction over public education a preliminary report on or
before December 1, 2008, and a final report on or before December 1,
2010, as described by Subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The reports referred to in Subsection (a) of this
section must include an assessment of the impact of programs for
which grants have been awarded under Subchapter L, Chapter 39,
Education Code, as added by this Act, on:
(1) student performance on assessment instruments
administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code;
(2) high school completion rates;
(3) college readiness of high school students;
(4) teacher effectiveness in instruction;
(5) cost-effectiveness of the programs; and
(6) any other factors the commissioner of education
determines relevant.
SECTION 13. In making the initial appointments to the High
School Completion and Success Initiative Board under Subchapter L,
Chapter 39, Education Code, as added by this Act:
(1) the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house
of representatives shall each designate one member for a term
expiring September 1, 2008; and
(2) the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of
the house of representatives shall each designate one member for a
term expiring September 1, 2009.
SECTION 14. This Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008
school year.
SECTION 15. 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, 2007.