88R9590 AMF-D
 
  By: A. Johnson of Harris H.B. No. 4064
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to an earth, environment, and planetary sciences pilot
  program in the Houston Independent School District.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 29.935 to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.935.  EARTH, ENVIRONMENT, AND PLANETARY SCIENCES
  PILOT PROGRAM.  (a)  In this section, "pilot program" means the
  earth, environment, and planetary sciences program offered by the
  Houston Independent School District.
         (b)  The Houston Independent School District shall, in
  collaboration with Rice University, establish and implement a pilot
  program that uses local institutions and resources, including the
  Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, the Houston Museum of Natural
  Science, and the Lunar and Planetary Institute to encourage student
  engagement in earth, environment, and planetary sciences and foster
  connections for students interested in careers in those and related
  fields of study.
         (c)  The program may include:
               (1)  a student outreach program to train graduate and
  undergraduate students in earth, environment, and planetary
  sciences and related fields of study on effective communication and
  teaching strategies in preparation for leading Houston Independent
  School District students in age-appropriate lessons and activities
  involving current scientific research;
               (2)  professional development for Houston Independent
  School District teachers that provides strategies and resources for
  teaching earth, environment, and planetary sciences content;
               (3)  career information sessions for Houston
  Independent School District students that are hosted by Rice
  University graduate students, faculty, and alumni working in the
  earth, environment, and planetary sciences and related fields of
  study;
               (4)  community events, field trips, and summer
  programming for Houston Independent School District students and
  their families to explore developments in earth, environment, and
  planetary sciences and related fields of study through hands-on
  learning activities; and
               (5)  summer research internship opportunities for
  rising juniors and seniors enrolled in Houston Independent School
  District.
         (d)  Not later than September 1, 2025, the board of trustees
  of the Houston Independent School District shall prepare and
  deliver to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of
  the house of representatives, and the presiding officer of each
  legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over
  primary and secondary education a report that evaluates the
  effectiveness of the pilot program.  The report must include the
  district's recommendations regarding whether the pilot program
  should be continued, expanded, or terminated.
         (e)  This section expires September 1, 2025.
         SECTION 2.  The Houston Independent School District shall
  establish the pilot program under Section 29.935, Education Code,
  as added by this Act, as soon as practicable following the effective
  date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  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.