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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the authority of the commissioner of education to |
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create career and technical credentials and certificates that may |
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be earned through a career and technology education program and to a |
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study to identify unmet needs in career and technology education |
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programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Sections 29.1821 and 29.193 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 29.1821. COMMISSIONER AUTHORITY TO CREATE CREDENTIALS |
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AND CERTIFICATES. (a) To address unmet workforce needs and enhance |
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student competitiveness in the labor market, the commissioner may |
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create career and technical credentials or certificates that may be |
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earned by a public high school student through a career and |
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technology education program. |
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(a-1) Not later than September 1, 2020, the commissioner |
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shall create at least one credential or certificate in information |
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technology in accordance with the results of the study conducted |
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under Section 29.193. This subsection expires September 1, 2021. |
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(b) A credential or certificate created under this section |
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must: |
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(1) be aligned with state and regional workforce needs |
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in the applicable field; and |
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(2) serve as an entry point for employment or a bridge |
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to postsecondary education in the applicable field. |
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(c) The commissioner may consult with relevant stakeholders |
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in creating credentials or certificates under this section. |
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(d) The agency shall post on the agency's Internet website |
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information regarding any credentials or certificates created by |
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the commissioner under this section. |
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Sec. 29.193. STUDY AND REPORT TO IDENTIFY UNMET NEEDS. (a) |
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The agency shall conduct a study to identify unmet needs in career |
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and technology education programs offered to public high school |
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students. The agency shall include in the study programs in the |
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information technology career cluster and in any other career |
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cluster selected by the agency. |
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(b) The study must, for each career cluster included in the |
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study: |
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(1) evaluate: |
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(A) the industry-recognized credentials or |
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certificates in the career cluster currently being offered to |
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public high school students through career and technology education |
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programs; and |
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(B) the knowledge and skills in the career |
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cluster necessary to meet state and regional workforce needs; and |
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(2) identify: |
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(A) any gaps between the industry-recognized |
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credentials or certificates identified under Subdivision (1)(A) |
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and the knowledge and skills identified under Subdivision (1)(B); |
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and |
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(B) any knowledge or skills that could be |
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incorporated into career and technology education programs in the |
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career cluster to increase students' marketability in that field |
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after graduation from high school. |
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(c) Not later than September 1, 2019, the agency shall |
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submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the |
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house of representatives a report on the study and any |
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recommendations for legislative or other action. The report must |
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identify each credential or certificate, including at least one |
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credential or certificate in information technology, to be created |
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by the commissioner under Section 29.1821 as a result of the study. |
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(d) This section expires September 1, 2020. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |