BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 789
88R923 TSS-F	By: Johnson
	Education
	4/11/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Texas Education Agency (TEA) school ratings indicate, among other things, how well a school prepares its students for success after high school in college, the workforce, or the military. Currently, Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) track completion is not a factor in determining these ratings. This educational model was researched and designated to target and serve students who might not otherwise attend college. Districts that go through the process to receive this designation benefit their students and the state by facilitating work experience and certifications that align with regional workforce needs, and guiding students into high-demand, high-wage careers.

Current law requires TEA to evaluate schools across three domains. In the student achievement domain, Section 39.053(c-1), Education Code, high school campuses must be evaluated based on many indicators including student Advanced Placement test performance, dual-course credits earned by students, students who enlist in the armed forces, students who earn industry certifications, and students who are awarded an associate degree.

S.B. 789 would add completion of a P-TECH, or another early college high school, program to TEA's student achievement domain, which contributes to a school's A-F rating. S.B. 789 would also ensure that schools get credit for their P-TECH programs in the form of distinction designations they may receive under Section 39.202, Education Code. These schools should receive credit for their students who complete a P-TECH program. This will not only reward the 108 current P-TECH schools for their success, but encourage more schools to pursue this particular TEA-supported model. 

As proposed, S.B. 789 amends current law relating to indicators of achievement, assignment of campus performance ratings, and academic distinction designations under the public school accountability system.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the commissioner of education is modified in SECTION 2 (Section 39.0544, Education Code) and SECTION 3 (Section 39.202, Education Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 39.053(c), Education Code, as follows:

(c) Requires school districts and campuses to be evaluated based on three domains of indicators of achievement adopted under Section 39.053 (Performance Indicators; Achievement) that include:

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(1) in the student achievement domain, indicators of student achievement that are required to include:

(A) makes no changes to this paragraph; and

(B) for evaluating the performance of high school campuses and districts that include high school campuses, indicators that account for:

(i)-(xi) makes no changes to these subparagraphs;

(xii)-(xiii) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subparagraphs; and

(xiv) students who successfully completed a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program established under Subchapter N (Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) Program), Chapter 29, or another early college high school program; and

(2)-(3) makes no changes to these subdivisions.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 39.0544(a), Education Code, as follows:

(a) Provides that the rules adopted by the commissioner of education (commissioner) regarding the assignment of campus performance ratings by school districts and open-enrollment charter schools:

(1) are required to require a district or school, in assigning an overall performance rating for a campus, to incorporate certain performance ratings, including any distinction designations awarded to the campus under Subchapter G (Distinction Designations). Makes nonsubstantive changes;

(2) are authorized to permit a district or school to assign weights to each domain, set of accountability measures, or distinction designations described in Subdivision (1), as determined by the district or school, provided that the domains specified in Subdivision (1)(A) (relating to requiring that the rules require a district or school to incorporate domain performance ratings assigned by the commissioner) are required to in the aggregate account for at least 50 percent of the overall performance rating. Makes a nonsubstantive change; and

(3)-(6) makes no changes to these subdivisions.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 39.202, Education Code, as follows:

Sec. 39.202. ACADEMIC DISTINCTION DESIGNATION FOR DISTRICTS AND CAMPUSES. Requires the commissioner to adopt criteria for the designation under this section of certain percentages, including percentages of students who completed a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program established under Subchapter N, Chapter 29, or another early college high school program. Makes a nonsubstantive change.

SECTION 4. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2023�2024 school year.

SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September� 1, 2023.