BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3941

By: Deshotel

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the achievement of the state postsecondary credential targets set by 60x30TX depends on improving high school diploma completion for adults older than traditional high school graduates and on improving the provision of secondary-level remediation. H.B. 3941 seeks to further these goals by providing for online adult high school diploma programs to be offered through providers approved by the Texas Education Agency.

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 rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3941 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Education Agency to develop a process by which an eligible provider may apply to the commissioner of education for authority to operate an online adult high school diploma program for eligible students. The bill requires an eligible provider to be accredited by a research-based, nationally recognized, and universally accessible accreditation system approved by the commissioner. The bill authorizes any such provider to apply for authorization to operate such a diploma program and requires the commissioner, as part of the application process, to require such a provider to provide information regarding the operation of any similar educational program during the preceding five years.

H.B. 3941 sets out the eligibility requirements for a student to participate in such a diploma program and certain end-of-course testing requirements before a student may enter the program and during the program. The bill prohibits a student enrolled in such a diploma program from participating in a competition or other activity sanctioned or conducted by the University Interscholastic League.

H.B. 3941 entitles a student who enrolls in such a diploma program to the benefits of the foundation school program in the same manner as any other student who has not received a high school diploma. The bill authorizes a student attending such a diploma program, for purposes of state public school funding, to be counted in attendance only for the actual number of hours each school day the student attends the program. The bill authorizes the commissioner to revoke a provider's authorization to operate a diploma program after consideration of relevant factors and establishes that such a decision by the commissioner is final and may not be appealed. The bill authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules to implement the bill's provisions.        

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.