BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2263

By: Eissler

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The importance of ensuring that all Texas students are prepared for postsecondary education or employment is receiving focused attention.  To attain the goal of graduating more students from Texas school systems who are prepared to achieve postsecondary success, the preparatory work cannot begin at the high school level.  Middle and junior high schools must be part of the ongoing effort to effectively prevent dropouts and promote high school completion and postsecondary readiness. 

H.B. 2263 authorizes the commissioner of education to expend high school innovation grants on middle and junior high schools to implement programs designed to prevent dropouts and promote postsecondary readiness.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2263 amends the Education Code to extend the high school innovation grant initiative to middle and junior high school campuses, making such campuses eligible for grants to support the implementation of innovative improvement programs based on the best available research regarding efforts at those levels in school reform, dropout prevention, and preparation of students for postsecondary coursework or employment.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.