AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Recent studies have shown that Texas is among the states with the worst outcomes for students who leave school without acquiring a high school diploma and, according to a national organization seeking to prevent teen and unplanned pregnancy, parenthood is a leading reason that teen girls drop out of school.
The purpose of the compensatory education allotment is to support students who are educationally disadvantaged and at risk of dropping out of school, including students who are pregnant or are parents. But interested parties express concern that these funds cannot currently be used to cover the costs of child-care services or other services for students who are pregnant or are parents. H.B. 256 seeks to address this issue.
H.B. 256 amends current law relating to compensatory education allotment funding.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 42.152, Education Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (b-1) and (c-3), as follows:
(b) Provides that, except as provided by Subsection (b-1), for purposes of this section, the number of educationally disadvantaged students is determined:
(1) by averaging the best six months' numbers of students eligible for enrollment in the national school lunch program of free or reduced-price lunches for the preceding school year; or
(2) in the manner provided by commissioner of education (commissioner) rule.
Makes nonsubstantive changes
Deletes existing text from Subdivision (2) providing that for purposes of this section, the number of educationally disadvantaged students is determined in the manner provided by commissioner rule, if no campus in the district participated in the national school lunch program of free or reduced-price lunches during the preceding school year
(b-1) Provides that a student receiving a full-time virtual education through the state virtual school network is not included in determining the number of educationally disadvantaged students under Subsection (b).
(c-3) Provides that funds allocated under this section, notwithstanding Subsection (c) (requiring that funds allocated under this chapter be used to fund supplemental programs and services and other provisions set forth), may be used to:
(1) provide child-care services or assistance with child-care expenses for students at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by Section 29.081(d)(5) (providing that, for purposes of this section, "student at risk of dropping out of school" includes each student who is under 26 years of age and who is pregnant or is a parent); or
(2) pay the costs associated with services provided through a life skills program in accordance with Sections 29.085(b)(1) (requiring a program of educational and support services for students who are pregnant or who are parents to include certain services set forth) and (3)-(7) (requiring a program of educational and support services for student who are pregnant or who are parents to include certain services set forth).
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.