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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation and administration of a grant initiative |
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for a community-based at-risk youth program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 33, Education Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter G to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER G. EDUCATION AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM |
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Sec. 33.251. PROGRAM. The agency shall administer the |
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Education and Self-Sufficiency Program as described by this |
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subchapter. |
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Sec. 33.252. STATE DIRECTOR. The commissioner shall |
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designate a state director for the Education and Self-Sufficiency |
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Program to coordinate community-based efforts to accomplish the |
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purposes of the grant initiative described by Section 33.253(a). |
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Sec. 33.253. GRANT INITIATIVE. (a) Subject to available |
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funding under Subsection (c) or (d), the commissioner shall award |
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grants to school districts, school campuses, and community-based |
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organizations participating in the Education and Self-Sufficiency |
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Program to: |
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(1) assist students at risk of dropping out of school, |
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as defined by Section 29.081, to develop a foundation for a |
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well-balanced and appropriate education from early childhood |
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education through high school through the use of: |
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(A) small school campuses that permit highly |
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personal learning environments and that offer a culturally |
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sensitive curriculum; |
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(B) a variety of instructional and interactive |
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methods to develop self-respect, self-confidence, and students' |
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leadership skills; and |
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(C) after-school enrichment programs to help |
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students complete homework and improve academic skills; |
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(2) provide career and technical education training, |
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job readiness training, and job placement assistance for high |
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school students at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by |
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Section 29.081; and |
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(3) provide at least two years of mentoring for high |
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school students qualified and planning to enroll in postsecondary |
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education programs, including junior college programs or programs |
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of public technical institutes, as defined by Section 61.003. |
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(b) The commissioner shall award grants under this |
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subchapter after receiving and reviewing recommendations from the |
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state director. Before awarding a grant under this section, the |
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commissioner: |
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(1) may require a campus or school district to: |
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(A) obtain local matching funds; or |
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(B) meet other conditions, including providing |
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assistance in the development of a personal graduation plan under |
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Section 28.0212 for each student enrolled in high school; and |
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(2) shall require a community-based organization to |
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demonstrate a proven track record of successfully working |
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independently in an area identified in Subsection (a). |
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(c) The commissioner may: |
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(1) accept gifts, grants, or donations from private |
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entities to use in awarding grants under this section; and |
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(2) coordinate gifts, grants, or donations with |
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federal or other available funding to award grants under this |
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section. |
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(d) The state director may accept a donation of services or |
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money or other property that the state director determines furthers |
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the lawful objectives of the program. Each donation under this |
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subsection from a private entity, with the name of the donor and the |
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purpose of the donation, must be reported in the public records of |
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the program. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |