By: Anchia H.B. No. 4589

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the provision of a quality and globally competitive education as a mission of the public education system.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 4.001, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 4.001. PUBLIC EDUCATION MISSION AND OBJECTIVES. (a) The mission of the public education system of this state is to ensure that all Texas children have access to a quality and globally competitive education that enables them to achieve their potential and fully participate now and in the future in the social, economic, and educational opportunities of our state and nation. That mission is grounded on the conviction that a general diffusion of knowledge is essential for the welfare of this state and for the preservation of the liberties and rights of citizens. It is further grounded on the conviction that a successful public education system is directly related to a strong, dedicated, and supportive family and that parental involvement in the school is essential for the maximum educational achievement of a child.

(b) The objectives of public education are:

OBJECTIVE 1: Parents will be full partners with educators in the education of their children.

OBJECTIVE 2: Students will be encouraged and challenged to meet their full educational potential.

OBJECTIVE 3: Through enhanced dropout prevention efforts, all students will remain in school until they obtain a high school diploma.

OBJECTIVE 4: A well-balanced and appropriate curriculum will be provided to all students. Through that curriculum, students will be prepared to succeed in a variety of postsecondary activities, including employment and enrollment in institutions of higher education.

OBJECTIVE 5: Educators will prepare students to be thoughtful, active citizens who have an appreciation for the basic values of our state and national heritage and who can understand and productively function in a free enterprise society.

OBJECTIVE 6: Qualified and highly effective personnel will be recruited, developed, and retained.

OBJECTIVE 7: The state's students will demonstrate exemplary performance in comparison to national and international standards.

OBJECTIVE 8: School campuses will maintain a safe and disciplined environment conducive to student learning.

OBJECTIVE 9: Educators will keep abreast of the development of creative and innovative techniques in instruction and administration using those techniques as appropriate to improve student learning.

OBJECTIVE 10: Technology will be implemented and used to increase the effectiveness of student learning, instructional management, staff development, and administration.

OBJECTIVE 11: The State Board of Education, the agency, and the commissioner shall assist school districts and charter schools in providing career and technology education to students.

OBJECTIVE 12: After obtaining a high school diploma, students will earn certificates or degrees from institutions of higher education in order to compete globally and participate in the dynamic economy of this state and nation.

SECTION 2. Section 4.0012, Texas Education Code, is hereby added as follows:

Sec. 4.0012. PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS. (a) During each regular legislative session, the legislature shall establish quantifiable educational standards recommended by the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that public schools must satisfy during each year of the applicable biennium for the system of public free schools to remain globally competitive. The standards take effect for the school year beginning in the fall of the fifth year following the legislative session in which the standards were established.

(b) The standards required by Subsection (a) of this section may not be amended, revised, or repealed except by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the membership of each house of the legislature.

SECTION 3. Section 4.0013, Texas Education Code, is hereby added as follows:

Sec. 4.0013. (a) Notwithstanding Section 4.001(a) of this Chapter, the system of public free schools is not required to be globally competitive until the 2025-2026 school year.

(b) The standards established by the legislature during each regular session as required by Section 4.0012(a) of this chapter must include quantifiable requirements that, when achieved, result in at least 60 percent of all state residents who are older than 24 years of age and younger than 35 years of age holding a certificate or degree from an institution of higher education not later than 2030.

(d) This subsection expires January 1, 2031.

SECTION 4. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2019.