BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2519

By: Stucky

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties cite the importance of grades four through eight in determining the future academic success of students in calling for a study on dropout prevention and recovery before the ninth grade. H.B. 2519 seeks to require the Texas Education Agency to conduct such a study.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 2519 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to conduct a study to identify the best practices for reducing the number of students who drop out of school before entering the ninth grade and directing students who drop out of school before entering the ninth grade toward an appropriate educational program. The bill requires the study to examine the following: current programs and interventions available to students who are enrolled in grades four through eight and are at risk of dropping out of school and to students who have dropped out of school before entering the ninth grade; barriers to students attempting to reenroll in a public school district or open-enrollment charter school after dropping out of school before entering the ninth grade; best practices in Texas and other states for re-engaging students who dropped out of school before entering the ninth grade; and the feasibility of adopting a pilot program to establish an early warning data system beginning with students in the sixth grade to track each student's attendance, behavior, and performance in core subjects. The bill requires TEA, not later than September 1, 2018, to submit a report to the legislature that includes the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action. The bill's provisions expire January 1, 2019.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.