BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2042
86R14321 MP-D	By: Fallon
	Education
	4/7/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Section 29.189, Education Code, requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to jointly develop and post on their respective Internet websites an inventory of industry-recognized credentials and certificates that may be earned by a public high school student through a career and technology education program and to annually review and update as necessary. Concerns have been raised that the list of certifications does not necessarily reflect the workforce needs in the region.

S.B. 2042 requires TEA to evaluate the current industry certifications, identify unmet needs, and by region, evaluate the certificates being offered, the workforce needs, and any gaps, including identifying knowledge and skills that could be incorporated into the program to increase the student's marketability.

As proposed, S.B. 2042 amends current law relating to a study by the Texas Education Agency of career and technology education programs.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, by adding Section 29.193, as follows:

Sec. 29.193. STUDY AND REPORT ON CREDENTIALS AND CERTIFICATES. (a)� Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to conduct a study to evaluate the industry‑recognized credentials and certificates that are currently being offered to public high school students through career and technology education programs in each region of the state and identify any unmet needs in career and technology education programs currently being offered to public high school students in each region of the state.

(b) Requires the study to:

(1) for each region of the state:

(A) evaluate:

(i) the industry-recognized credentials or certificates currently being offered to public high school students through career and technology education programs in the region; and

(ii) the knowledge and skills necessary to meet workforce needs in the region; and

(B) identify:

(i) any gaps between the industry-recognized credentials or certificates identified under Paragraph (A)(i) and the knowledge and skills identified under Paragraph (A)(ii); and

(ii) any knowledge or skills that could be incorporated into career and technology education programs in the region to increase students' marketability in that region after graduation from high school; and

(2) for each currently offered industry-recognized credential or certificate, assess the economic impact of earning the credential or certificate in each region of the state, including the average industry wage for a student who has earned the credential or certificate in each region and the demand to employ a student in each region for the credential or certificate.

(c) Requires TEA, not later than September 1, 2021, to submit to the commissioner of education a report that:

(1) identifies any currently offered industry-recognized credential or certificate that does not provide a sufficient positive economic impact in any region of the state based on the assessment conducted under Subsection (b)(2); and

(2) recommends the creation of industry-recognized credentials or certificates for each region of the state to be offered in a career and technology education program in that region that will address unmet workforce needs and enhance student competitiveness in the labor market.

(d) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2022.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.