88R10912 MEW-F

By: Dutton H.B. No. 4092

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) 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) not later than one year after graduation from high school, earns a minimum of 12 non-remedial semester credit hours [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 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) not later than one year after graduation from high school:

(i) [during a time period established by commissioner rule,] earns a credential of value as defined by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rule or included in a library of credentials established under Section 2308A.007, Government Code;

(ii) is employed at or above a salary level equal to 100 percent of the median wage of jobs in the graduate's region, as determined by the commissioner using the most recent information available from sources the commissioner considers reliable, including the Texas Workforce Commission, the comptroller, and the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics; or

(iii) is enrolled in or has completed an apprenticeship program recognized or approved by the Office of Apprenticeship of the United States Department of Labor or an industry-recognized apprenticeship approved or certified by the Texas Workforce Commission [an industry-accepted certificate]; 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)(B)(i) [(f)(2)(B)] by successfully completing a coherent sequence of courses required to obtain a credential of value as described by that subparagraph [an industry-accepted certificate]. The district must demonstrate in the application that neither the district nor a postsecondary institution located within 30 miles of a student's campus is able [unable] to provide sufficient courses or programs to enable students enrolled at the district to actually earn a credential of value [an industry-accepted certificate] within the time period established [by the commissioner] under Subsection (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 information described by Subsection (f) to the district a portion of the outcomes bonus to which the district is entitled for an annual graduate under this section.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.

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.