88R9801 DIO-F
 
  By: Gates H.B. No. 2615
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the operation by a school district of a vocational
  education program to provide eligible high school students with
  vocational and educational training under a plan for the issuance
  of a high school diploma and the application of certain
  student-based allotments under the public school finance system.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
  ARTICLE 1. VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
         SECTION 1.01.  Subtitle F, Title 2, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 30B to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 30B.  VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
         Sec. 30B.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "board" means
  the State Board of Education.
         Sec. 30B.002.  PURPOSE. The purpose of a vocational
  education program operated under this chapter and authorized as a
  campus or campus program under Subchapter C, Chapter 12, is to
  provide public education to high school students:
               (1)  whose educational needs are better served by
  tailored vocational education and training; and
               (2)  for whom a P-TECH program established under
  Subchapter N, Chapter 29, is not academically appropriate or would
  not provide adequate vocational opportunities.
         Sec. 30B.003.  VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM. (a) Each
  vocational education program authorized under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 12, and operating under this chapter shall offer students
  who reside in the district a program that is:
               (1)  aligned with mathematics, English language, and
  other skills and content adequate for the vocational education
  program as well as essential knowledge and skills for vocational
  education developed by the board, including essential knowledge and
  skills in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social
  studies, that are tailored to vocational education curriculum;
               (2)  designed to allow students to satisfy requirements
  related to:
                     (A)  industry-recognized credentials and
  certificates included in the inventory required by Section 312.003,
  Labor Code; or
                     (B)  industry-defined and industry-recognized
  skill standards developed under Section 2308.109, Government Code;
  and
               (3)  tailored to serve as an entry point to high-wage
  and high-growth jobs and industries as determined by the board with
  the assistance of the Texas Workforce Commission.
         (b)  The board shall establish minimum curriculum
  requirements for a vocational education program operated under this
  chapter. In providing curriculum requirements, the board shall
  require the successful completion of not more than 24 credits for
  graduation and the issuance of a diploma under Section 30B.004.  Not
  fewer than 10 credits of the minimum curriculum requirements must
  be credits earned in vocational education courses offered under the
  program.
         (c)  A vocational education program may require the
  completion of additional credits that are not included in the
  minimum curriculum requirements established by the board as
  requirements for graduation and the issuance of a diploma under
  Section 30B.004 provided that the program does not require the
  successful completion of more than 24 credits.
         (d)  In providing the minimum curriculum requirements under
  Subsection (b), the board shall require:
               (1)  one credit in a course that provides instruction
  in the basic knowledge and skills necessary to:
                     (A)  successfully run an independent business;
  and
                     (B)  develop entrepreneurship;
               (2)  one-half credit in a course providing instruction
  regarding the relationship between business and government;
               (3)  one-half credit in a course in industrial arts;
               (4)  one credit in Algebra I; and
               (5)  one credit in English I.
         (d-1)  In providing the minimum curriculum requirements
  under Subsection (b), the board may not require curriculum based on
  essential knowledge and skills identified for a course of
  instruction intended for students enrolled in a P-TECH program
  established under Subchapter N, Chapter 29. The minimum curriculum
  requirements under Subsection (b) may only be based on essential
  knowledge and skills identified by the board and described by
  Subsection (a)(1).
         (e)  The board by rule shall provide curriculum standards for
  the courses described by Subsection (d).
         (f)  The board by rule shall allow for a student to satisfy
  the one-half credit requirement for a course described by:
               (1)  Subsection (d)(2) by earning one-half credit for a
  course in government offered under the foundation high school
  program; and
               (2)  Subsection (d)(3) by earning one-half credit for a
  course in fine arts offered under the foundation high school
  program.
         (g)  The board by rule may require that one or more courses
  described by Subsection (d) or (f) provide basic instruction in
  technical writing.
         (g-1)  The agency shall provide support to the board in
  establishing the minimum curriculum requirements under Subsection
  (b).
         (h)  In offering a vocational education program under this
  chapter, a school district may form partnerships between the
  district and public junior colleges, public technical institutes,
  public state colleges, and any other public postsecondary
  institutions in this state offering academic or technical education
  or vocational training under a certificate program or an associate
  degree program.
         (i)  A school district may use state funding received under
  Chapter 48 that is available for the purpose to pay tuition costs
  for district students enrolled in the district's vocational
  education program and receiving academic or technical education or
  vocational training from a college or institution under a
  partnership entered into under Subsection (h).
         Sec. 30B.004.  VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.
  Notwithstanding any other law, agency rule, or school district
  policy, a student enrolled in a district's vocational education
  program is entitled to receive a high school diploma from the
  district if the student:
               (1)  successfully completes the required curriculum
  established by the board under Section 30B.003(b);
               (2)  satisfies any other high school graduation
  requirements provided by commissioner rule for students obtaining a
  high school diploma under the district's vocational education
  program; and
               (3)  either:
                     (A)  achieves satisfactory performance on each
  end-of-course assessment instrument administered to the student
  under Section 39.023(c); or
                     (B)  is determined to be qualified to graduate by
  the student's individual graduation committee established under
  Section 28.0258 for the student by the district operating the
  vocational education program.
         Sec. 30B.005.  ENROLLMENT ELIGIBILITY. A student is
  eligible to enroll in a school district's vocational education
  program if:
               (1)  the district has received the form indicating
  informed consent for the student under Section 30B.006; and
               (2)  the student attends a high school campus of the
  district and has completed the student's 10th grade year.
         Sec. 30B.006.  INFORMED CONSENT. (a) Before a student may
  enroll in a school district's vocational education program, the
  student and the student's parent, guardian, or other person
  standing in parental relation to the student must be advised by a
  school counselor concerning:
               (1)  specific benefits of graduating under the
  foundation high school program established under Section 28.025;
               (2)  specific benefits of graduating under a vocational
  education program with a diploma and earning industry-recognized
  credentials through the program;
               (3)  the differences between the curriculum
  requirements for obtaining a diploma under a vocational education
  program and the curriculum requirements for obtaining a diploma
  under the foundation high school program, including specific
  foundation high school program courses that will be replaced by
  vocational education program courses; and
               (4)  the number of additional credits that may be
  required to graduate under the foundation high school program if
  the student chooses to cease participation in a vocational
  education program and resume participation in the foundation high
  school program.
         (b)  After receiving the required counseling described by
  Subsection (a), the student's parent, guardian, or other person
  standing in parental relation to the student may provide written
  permission for the student to enroll in the school district's
  vocational education program, on a form adopted by the agency, to
  the school counselor.
         Sec. 30B.007.  ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS. (a) A school
  district may adopt and administer assessment instruments necessary
  for a student enrolled in the district's vocational education
  program to earn an industry-recognized license, credential, or
  certificate.
         (b)  A student enrolled in a district's vocational education
  program shall be administered the end-of-course assessment for each
  secondary level course in which the student enrolls that is listed
  in Section 39.023(c), as provided by that section, including the
  end-of-course assessments for Algebra I and English I.  A student
  enrolled in a district's vocational education program may not be
  administered an assessment instrument under Section 39.023 that is
  not required to be administered to the student under federal law.
         (c)  The commissioner may not waive the application of
  Subsection (b) under Section 7.056 or any other law. This
  subsection does not prohibit the commissioner from waiving the
  administration of assessment instruments otherwise required to be
  administered to students under federal law in accordance with
  waiver authority granted to the commissioner by the United States
  Department of Education.
         Sec. 30B.008.  REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN EXAMS. (a)
  Subject to Subsection (b), a student enrolled in a school
  district's vocational education program is entitled to
  reimbursement from the district for the cost paid by the student for
  an exam administered under Section 30B.007 that qualifies the
  student for an industry-recognized license, credential, or
  certificate.
         (b)  A student may receive reimbursement under this section
  for the cost paid for one examination in each school year.
         Sec. 30B.009.  ACHIEVEMENT INDICATORS. (a) The
  commissioner shall adopt a set of achievement indicators for school
  district students enrolled in a district's vocational education
  program based on recommendations provided by the Texas Workforce
  Investment Council.
         (b)  The achievement indicators adopted by the commissioner
  must measure outcomes for a school district's vocational education
  program with respect to:
               (1)  preparing students for success in:
                     (A)  achieving industry-recognized licenses,
  credentials, and certificates;
                     (B)  training in postsecondary occupational
  programs; and
                     (C)  entering the workforce;
               (2)  reducing outcome differentials among students
  from different racial and ethnic groups and socioeconomic
  backgrounds; and
               (3)  informing parents and employers regarding the
  performance of school district vocational education programs and
  students who enroll in those programs.
         (c)  Each school district that operates a vocational
  education program under this chapter shall submit to the
  commissioner all relevant information the commissioner determines
  necessary to evaluate the district's vocational education program
  based on the achievement indicators adopted under this section.
         (c-1)  Each year, the commissioner shall determine for each
  vocational education program operated under this chapter a cohort
  to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the vocational
  education program.
         (d)  The commissioner shall annually publish a report on the
  performance of vocational education programs operated under this
  chapter based on the achievement indicators and the evaluation of
  the cohorts established under Subsection (c-1).
         Sec. 30B.010.  MINIMUM INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS. (a) A
  person employed by a school district as a vocational education
  instructor of a district's vocational education program must have
  demonstrated subject matter expertise related to the subject
  taught, including:
               (1)  professional work experience;
               (2)  formal training and education;
               (3)  holding a relevant, active, industry-recognized
  license, credential, or certificate; or
               (4)  any combination of Subdivisions (1), (2), and (3).
         (b)  A person employed by a school district as a vocational
  education instructor of a district's vocational education program
  must have received at least 20 hours of classroom management
  training as determined by the board of trustees of the district.
         Sec. 30B.011.  MEMBERSHIP IN TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF
  TEXAS. A school district employee who provides services under the
  district's vocational education program and qualifies for
  membership in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas shall be
  covered under the system to the same extent another qualified
  employee of a school district is covered.
         Sec. 30B.012.  BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS. (a) A
  school district operating a vocational education program under this
  chapter may partner with private sector businesses to ensure
  students have sufficient opportunities to participate in
  apprenticeship training programs and other workplace-based
  education.
         (b)  A school district may sponsor apprenticeship training
  programs under Chapter 133 for students enrolled in the district's
  vocational education program.
         Sec. 30B.013.  LIMITATION ON CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
  ALLOTMENT. For each student enrolled in a school district's
  vocational education program, the district's entitlement to the
  career and technology education allotment under Section 48.106 is
  limited to the amount determined by the commissioner in accordance
  with Subsection (a-1) of that section.
         Sec. 30B.014.  STUDY ON IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF
  VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS.  (a)  The board shall conduct an
  annual study on the implementation and effectiveness of vocational
  education programs operated under this chapter.
         (b)  Not later than December 31 of each year, the board shall
  submit to the legislature and the special committee established
  under Section 30B.015 a report on the results of the study and any
  recommendations for legislative or other action.
         (c)  The agency shall provide support to the board in
  conducting the study under Subsection (a).
         Sec. 30B.015.  LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.  (a)  The
  legislative oversight committee on vocational education programs
  is composed of six members as follows:
               (1)  three members of the senate appointed by the
  lieutenant governor;  and
               (2)  three members of the house of representatives
  appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
         (b)  The committee shall:
               (1)  meet at least twice a year;  and
               (2)  receive the report issued under Section 30B.014
  and any other information regarding the implementation and
  effectiveness of the vocational education programs operated under
  this chapter, including information regarding rules relating to
  vocational education programs adopted or proposed for adoption by
  the board.
         (c)  The committee may request reports and other information
  from the agency, the board, or a school district relating to the
  operation of vocational education programs under this chapter.
         (d)  The committee shall review specific recommendations for
  legislation related to this chapter that are contained in the
  report submitted under Section 30B.014 or that are otherwise
  proposed by the agency, the board, a school district, or relevant
  stakeholders.
         (e)  The committee shall monitor the operation of the
  vocational education programs under this chapter with emphasis on
  the manner of implementation and effectiveness of the programs to
  achieve the purpose described by Section 30B.002.
         (f)  Not later than December 31 of each even-numbered year,
  the committee shall file a report with the governor, lieutenant
  governor, and speaker of the house of representatives.
         (g)  The report under Subsection (f) must include a
  description of any problems identified by the committee with
  respect to the implementation and effectiveness of vocational
  education programs operated under this chapter and the committee's
  recommendations regarding proposed legislative actions to address
  those problems.
  ARTICLE 2. OPERATION OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM AS CAMPUS OR
  CAMPUS PROGRAM
         SECTION 2.01.  Section 12.056, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b), requirements related to
  high school graduation under Section 28.025 do not apply to the
  issuance of a diploma under a vocational education program under
  Chapter 30B operated as a campus or campus program under this
  subchapter if the program is administered in accordance with
  Chapter 30B and any applicable rules adopted by the State Board of
  Education under that chapter.
         SECTION 2.02.  Section 28.016(b), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  The instruction must include information regarding:
               (1)  the creation of a high school personal graduation
  plan under Section 28.02121;
               (2)  the distinguished level of achievement described
  by Section 28.025(b-15);
               (3)  each endorsement described by Section
  28.025(c-1);
               (4)  college readiness standards; [and]
               (5)  potential career choices and the education needed
  to enter those careers; and
               (6)  programs of study offered through a vocational
  education program under Chapter 30B operated as a campus or campus
  program under Subchapter C, Chapter 12.
         SECTION 2.03.  Section 29.182(b), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  The state plan must include procedures designed to
  ensure that:
               (1)  all secondary and postsecondary students have the
  opportunity to participate in career and technology education
  programs;
               (2)  the state complies with requirements for
  supplemental federal career and technology education funding;
               (3)  career and technology education is established as
  a part of the total education system of this state and constitutes
  an option for student learning that provides a rigorous course of
  study consistent with the required curriculum under Section 28.002
  and under which a student may receive specific education in a career
  and technology program that:
                     (A)  incorporates competencies leading to
  academic and technical skill attainment;
                     (B)  leads to:
                           (i)  an industry-recognized license,
  credential, or certificate; or
                           (ii)  at the postsecondary level, an
  associate or baccalaureate degree;
                     (C)  includes opportunities for students to earn
  college credit for coursework; [and]
                     (D)  includes, as an integral part of the program,
  participation by students and teachers in activities of career and
  technical student organizations supported by the agency and the
  State Board of Education; and
                     (E)  includes the opportunity for students to
  participate in focused vocational education through a vocational
  education program under Chapter 30B operated as a campus or campus
  program under Subchapter C, Chapter 12; and
               (4)  a school district provides, to the greatest extent
  possible, to a student participating in a career and technology
  education program opportunities to enroll in dual credit courses
  designed to lead to a degree, license, or certification as part of
  the program.
  ARTICLE 3. APPLICATION OF CERTAIN STUDENT-BASED ALLOTMENTS
  REGARDING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM STUDENTS
         SECTION 3.01.  Section 48.106, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection (a-2) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Subject to Subsection (a-2), for [For] each full-time
  equivalent student in average daily attendance in an approved
  career and technology education program in grades 7 through 12, a
  district is entitled to an annual allotment equal to the basic
  allotment, or, if applicable, the sum of the basic allotment and the
  allotment under Section 48.101 to which the district is entitled,
  multiplied by:
               (1)  1.1 for a full-time equivalent student in career
  and technology education courses not in an approved program of
  study;
               (2)  1.28 for a full-time equivalent student in levels
  one and two career and technology education courses in an approved
  program of study, as identified by the agency; and
               (3)  1.47 for a full-time equivalent student in levels
  three and four career and technology education courses in an
  approved program of study, as identified by the agency.
         (a-2)  For each full-time equivalent student in average
  daily attendance in a vocational education program operated under
  Chapter 30B and authorized under Subchapter C, Chapter 12, only the
  first 10 hours of instructional hours provided to those students
  under the program each week qualify toward the district's
  entitlement to the allotment under Subsection (a)(1), and the
  commissioner shall proportionately reduce the amount of the
  entitlement accordingly to an amount that reflects the limitation
  on qualified instructional hours per week using a method adopted by
  the commissioner.
         (c)  At least 65 [55] percent of the funds allocated under
  this section must be used in providing career and technology
  education programs in grades 7 through 12.
         SECTION 3.02.  Sections 48.110(b), (f), and (h), Education
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  For purposes of the outcomes bonus under this section,
  the commissioner shall determine the threshold percentage as
  provided by Subsection (g) for college, career, or military
  readiness as described by Subsection (f) for each of the following
  cohorts:
               (1)  annual graduates who are educationally
  disadvantaged;
               (2)  annual graduates who are not educationally
  disadvantaged; [and]
               (3)  annual graduates who are enrolled in a special
  education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, regardless of
  whether the annual graduates are educationally disadvantaged; and
               (4)  annual graduates who are enrolled in a vocational
  education program under Chapter 30B.
         (f)  For purposes of this section, an annual graduate
  demonstrates:
               (1)  college 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)  during a time period established by
  commissioner rule, enrolls at a postsecondary educational
  institution; or
                     (B)  earns an associate degree from a
  postsecondary educational institution approved by the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board while attending high school or during
  a time period established by commissioner rule;
               (2)  career readiness if:
                     (A)  the annual graduate:
                           (i) [(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
                           (ii) [(B)]  during a time period established
  by commissioner rule, earns an industry-accepted certificate; or
                     (B)  the annual graduate earns an
  industry-recognized license, credential, or certificate under a
  vocational education program under Chapter 30B; 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
  or the Texas National Guard.
         (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.
  ARTICLE 4. TRANSITION; EFFECTIVE DATE
         SECTION 4.01.  Not later than December 1, 2024, the
  appropriate appointing authority shall appoint the members to the
  legislative oversight committee on vocational education programs
  as required by Section 30B.015, Education Code, as added by this
  Act.
         SECTION 4.02.  This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
  school year.
         SECTION 4.03.  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, 2023.