BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2264

By: Eissler

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

On the education front, Texas is now focused on postsecondary readiness for all students.  For the state to graduate more students who are prepared to achieve postsecondary success, the preparatory work cannot begin in high school; the work must begin in middle school.  Discussion of  high school options and postsecondary goals is critical to the successful transition of students to a college-preparatory curriculum in high school.  According to the Southern Regional Education Board, students experience an achievement lag for at least a year unless transitions are well planned and carried out successfully.

H.B. 2264 requires the commissioner of education to establish a program under which innovation grants are awarded to school districts to implement after-school learning opportunities for middle and junior high school students to prevent dropouts and promote postsecondary readiness. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2264 amends the Education Code to require the commissioner of education to establish, from funds appropriated for that purpose, a program under which grants are awarded to school districts to implement after-school learning opportunities for middle and junior high school students who are at risk of dropping out of school.  The bill requires activities funded with such a grant to be designed to promote the at-risk students' ability to succeed in middle or junior high school; prepare students for the transition to high school so that they enter high school with the ability to succeed, graduate, and successfully pursue postsecondary options; provide students with the opportunity to investigate diverse career options; and provide students and their parents with information regarding higher education opportunities. 

H.B. 2264 requires the commissioner to establish application criteria for receiving a grant under the program and requires the criteria to require an applying school district to collaborate with local businesses and nonprofit organizations in providing activities designed to achieve the goals.  The bill authorizes the commissioner to accept private foundation gifts, grants, or donations and to coordinate gifts, grants, or donations with other available funding to implement the grant program.  The bill requires the commissioner to establish procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of activities funded with a grant.  The bill requires the procedures to include consideration of school attendance rates, student performance in academic subjects, and subsequent high school completion rates.  The bill requires the commissioner to adopt rules necessary to administer the grant program.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.