87R10233 TSS-D
 
  By: Dutton H.B. No. 3204
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the methods to achieve a college, career, or military
  outcomes bonus under the Foundation School Program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 48.110, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (f) and (h) and adding Subsection (j) to read
  as follows:
         (f)  For purposes of this section, an annual graduate
  demonstrates:
               (1)  college readiness if the annual graduate:
                     (A)  achieves college readiness standards used
  for accountability purposes under Chapter 39 on the ACT, the SAT, or
  an assessment instrument designated by the Texas Higher Education
  Coordinating Board under Section 51.334; and
                     (B)  during a time period established by
  commissioner rule, enrolls at a postsecondary educational
  institution;
               (2)  career readiness if the annual graduate:
                     (A)  both:
                           (i)  achieves college readiness standards
  used for accountability purposes under Chapter 39 on the ACT, the
  SAT, or an assessment instrument designated by the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board under Section 51.334; and
                           (ii) [(B)] during a time period established
  by commissioner rule, earns an industry-accepted certificate; or
                     (B)  during a time period established by
  commissioner rule, is employed at or above a minimum salary level,
  as established by commissioner rule; and
               (3)  military readiness if the annual graduate:
                     (A)  achieves a passing score set by the
  applicable military branch on the Armed Services Vocational
  Aptitude Battery; and
                     (B)  during a time period established by
  commissioner rule, enlists in the armed forces of the United
  States.
         (h)  On application by a school district, the commissioner
  may allow annual graduates from the district to satisfy the
  requirement for demonstrating career readiness under Subsection
  (f)(2)(A)(ii) [(f)(2)(B)] by successfully completing a coherent
  sequence of courses required to obtain an industry-accepted
  certificate. The district must demonstrate in the application that
  the district is unable to provide sufficient courses or programs to
  enable students enrolled at the district to earn an
  industry-accepted certificate within the time period established
  by the commissioner under Subsection (f)(2)(A)(ii) [(f)(2)(B)].
  The commissioner by rule shall provide the criteria required for an
  application under this subsection.
         (j)  The commissioner shall adopt rules permitting a school
  district to award to an annual graduate who voluntarily reports the
  graduate's employment and salary information to the district a
  portion of the outcomes bonus to which the district is entitled for
  an annual graduate demonstrating career readiness under Subsection
  (f)(2)(B).
         SECTION 2.  Section 48.1101(a), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The agency shall conduct a study on alternative career
  readiness measures for small and rural school districts to
  determine if annual graduates demonstrate career readiness under
  Section 48.110(f)(2)(A)(ii) [48.110(f)(2)(B)].
         SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
  school year.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.