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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an earth, environment, and planetary sciences pilot |
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program in the Houston Independent School District. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 29.935 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 29.935. EARTH, ENVIRONMENT, AND PLANETARY SCIENCES |
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PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "pilot program" means the |
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earth, environment, and planetary sciences program offered by the |
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Houston Independent School District. |
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(b) The Houston Independent School District shall, in |
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collaboration with Rice University, establish and implement a pilot |
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program that uses local institutions and resources, including the |
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Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, the Houston Museum of Natural |
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Science, and the Lunar and Planetary Institute to encourage student |
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engagement in earth, environment, and planetary sciences and foster |
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connections for students interested in careers in those and related |
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fields of study. |
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(c) The program may include: |
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(1) a student outreach program to train graduate and |
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undergraduate students in earth, environment, and planetary |
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sciences and related fields of study on effective communication and |
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teaching strategies in preparation for leading Houston Independent |
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School District students in age-appropriate lessons and activities |
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involving current scientific research; |
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(2) professional development for Houston Independent |
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School District teachers that provides strategies and resources for |
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teaching earth, environment, and planetary sciences content; |
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(3) career information sessions for Houston |
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Independent School District students that are hosted by Rice |
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University graduate students, faculty, and alumni working in the |
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earth, environment, and planetary sciences and related fields of |
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study; |
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(4) community events, field trips, and summer |
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programming for Houston Independent School District students and |
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their families to explore developments in earth, environment, and |
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planetary sciences and related fields of study through hands-on |
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learning activities; and |
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(5) summer research internship opportunities for |
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rising juniors and seniors enrolled in Houston Independent School |
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District. |
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(d) Not later than September 1, 2025, the board of trustees |
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of the Houston Independent School District shall prepare and |
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deliver to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of |
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the house of representatives, and the presiding officer of each |
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legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over |
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primary and secondary education a report that evaluates the |
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effectiveness of the pilot program. The report must include the |
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district's recommendations regarding whether the pilot program |
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should be continued, expanded, or terminated. |
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(e) This section expires September 1, 2025. |
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SECTION 2. The Houston Independent School District shall |
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establish the pilot program under Section 29.935, Education Code, |
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as added by this Act, as soon as practicable following the effective |
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date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |