81R10852 KKA-D

By: Castro H.B. No. 3295

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to development of a strategy for increasing the number of guidance counselors employed by public high schools.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. STRATEGY FOR INCREASING THE NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS. (a) The Texas Education Agency shall develop a strategy for increasing the number of certified guidance counselors employed in public high schools so that each public high school employs at least one certified guidance counselor for every 250 students.

(b) In developing the strategy, the agency shall:

(1) determine the current ratio in public high schools of certified guidance counselors to students;

(2) estimate the number of additional certified guidance counselors required to be employed to reach the goal specified in Subsection (a) of this section;

(3) identify the steps necessary to be taken to reach the goal specified in Subsection (a) of this section; and

(4) determine the date by which the goal specified in Subsection (a) of this section could reasonably be achieved.

SECTION 2. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2010, the Texas Education Agency shall submit a report to the legislature regarding the strategy developed under Section 1 of this Act. The report must contain:

(1) information regarding the costs of implementing the strategy;

(2) recommendations regarding alternative options for paying the costs identified in Subdivision (1) of this section; and

(3) recommendations regarding a timeline for gradual implementation of the strategy.

SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2009.