BILL ANALYSIS
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Senate Research Center |
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In Texas, public schools are the primary means by which adolescents and young adults gain access to the knowledge base and skills that will prepare them for future employment and for higher education. However, a growing number of business and industry representatives have expressed concern that students are not given enough opportunity to develop occupational knowledge and job skills. Interested parties contend that the lack of this opportunity may leave Texas students underserved and compound the projected shortages of qualified applicants in certain occupations. In addition, some school districts in Texas have expressed concern regarding rigidity within Texas education laws that prohibits the districts from expanding opportunities for students to explore career and technical education programs that may lead to high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage occupations.
H.B. 842 amends current law relating to requiring public school districts to provide certain opportunities to career and technical students under the college credit program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 28.009, Education Code, adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:
(a-1) Requires that a program implemented under this section (College Credit Program) provide a career and technical student the opportunity to earn credit for a single course or activity, including an apprenticeship or training hours, necessary to obtain an industry-recognized credential or certificate or an associate degree, concurrently toward both the student's high school diploma and postsecondary academic requirements, if the course or activity is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for that purpose.
SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.