LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 6, 2009

TO:	Honorable Rob Eissler, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2471 by Keffer (Relating to career and technical education in the public schools and high school graduation requirements.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Assuming that Section 1.02 of the bill amending Texas Education Code, section 28.025, takes effect and that the portion of Section 3.01 of the bill repealing Texas Education Code, section 28.025(b) does not take effect, the bill would amend high school graduation requirements to specify that the recommended high school program include two program options, a science and mathematics option and an opportunities option.
 
The bill would provide for a process allowing school districts to submit one or more career and technical courses for review and approval by the State Board of Education (SBOE) to satisfy requirements for foundation courses in mathematics and science.
 
The bill would amend statutory references to career and technology education to refer to career and technical education.
 
The bill would require the Texas Workforce Commission to provide quarterly lists regarding employment opportunities in Texas.

To the extent that the provisions of the bill may affect participation in courses eligible for weighted funding under the Foundation School Program, additional FSP costs could be incurred.  The potential impact to the FSP cannot be reliably estimated at this time and would depend upon the approval of courses by the SBOE and by actual attendance in courses eligible for weighted funding.

Local Government Impact

School districts would be required to implement new curriculum requirements and may have to modify staffing arrangements or hire additional staff in certain program areas to accommodate shifts in the types of courses students were taking.
 
A school district could submit career and technical education courses for SBOE review and approval as foundation curriculum math and science courses.  To the extent that such courses are eligible for weighted funding under the Foundation School Program and students enroll in approved courses, school districts could realize additional revenue.

Source Agencies:

701 Central Education Agency

LBB Staff:

JOB, JSp, JGM, JSc