81R10183 JRJ-D

By: Guillen H.B. No. 4671

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to funding for career and technology education programs in public schools.

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

SECTION 1. Section 42.154, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) to read as follows:

(a) For each full-time equivalent student in average daily attendance in an approved career and technology education program in grades eight [nine] through 12 or in career and technology education programs for students with disabilities in grades seven through 12, a district is entitled to an annual allotment equal to the adjusted basic allotment multiplied by a weight of 1.35.

(c) Except as provided by Subsection (c-1), funds [Funds] allocated under this section, other than an indirect cost allotment established under State Board of Education rule, may [must] be used only to provide [in providing] career and technology education programs in grades eight [nine] through 12 or career and technology education programs for students with disabilities in grades seven through 12 under Sections 29.182, 29.183, and 29.184.

(c-1) Because career and technical student organizations are an integral part of a career and technology education program, funds allocated under this section may also be used to provide funding to students and teachers for participation in activities related to career and technical student organizations that are supported by the agency and the State Board of Education.

(c-2) A school district is entitled to additional funding to reimburse district costs related to:

(1) administering to students assessment instruments required for licensure, certification, or credit;

(2) training to prepare teachers to teach a career and technology education course, including costs associated with certification examinations, continuing education courses, or other incentives approved by the agency; and

(3) defraying the start-up costs associated with the development of new career and technology education programs that prepare students for career employment in occupations that are identified by the agency as being in high-demand high technology industries.

SECTION 2. Section 42.154(a-1), Education Code, is repealed.

SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2011-2012 school year.

SECTION 4. 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.