BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2201

By: Farney

Economic & Small Business Development

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current law, a school district that has kindergarten through grade 12 is required to offer a foundation curriculum that includes English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. These school districts are also required to offer an enrichment curriculum that includes, among other subjects, languages other than English, health, physical education, fine arts, and career and technology education. Many Texans argue that more choice is needed in a student's high school graduation plan because current course offerings are particularly insufficient in the area of career and technology education. C.S.H.B. 2201 seeks to increase the number of career and technology education courses available to high school students.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2201 amends the Education Code to require the State Board of Education, not later than September 1, 2014, to ensure that at least six advanced career and technology education courses are approved to satisfy a fourth credit in mathematics required for high school graduation. The bill requires the commissioner of education, not later than January 1, 2015, to review and report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the presiding officer of each standing committee of the legislature with primary responsibility over public primary and secondary education regarding the progress of increasing the number of courses approved for the career and technology education curriculum. The bill requires the commissioner to include in the report a detailed description of any new courses, including instructional materials and required equipment. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2015.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 2201 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and highlighted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.