Amend SB 2 (senate committee printing) in SECTION 4 of the bill, in added Subchapter B, Chapter 230, Insurance Code (page 8, between lines 49 and 50), by inserting the following:
Sec. 230.058. COMPTROLLER OVERSIGHT. The comptroller shall make a reasonable effort to:
(1) conduct studies to evaluate the following for students using scholarships to attend nonpublic schools and students attending public schools:
(A) performance on assessment instruments;
(B) graduation and retention rates; and
(C) reports of harassment;
(2) protect the legal rights of students using scholarships to attend nonpublic schools, including legal rights created under federal law for the benefit of students with disabilities;
(3) permit scholarship funds to be used to pay reasonable costs of transportation so that all families have an equitable opportunity to benefit from the program;
(4) retain and enforce the requirement that students using scholarships participate in administration of specified assessment instruments, with student performance made available to the public in the same manner that performance of students attending public schools is made available to the public;
(5) retain high standards for teacher qualifications required by the state;
(6) provide oversight and monitoring of participating nonpublic schools;
(7) assure the same level of accountability for participating nonpublic schools as the level required for public schools; and
(8) provide tools and supports to parents and students as necessary to facilitate participation in the program, with special attention given to:
(A) a student's role in the decision-making process; and
(B) the best methods for educating parents and students about school choice options under the program.