BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4746

By: Turner

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) evaluates high school campuses for academic distinction based on numerous factors, including how well a school prepares their students for success after high school in college, the workforce, or the military. The bill author has also informed the committee that student completion of a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program is not a factor in evaluating post-secondary readiness, even though these programs benefit 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. H.B. 4746 seeks to address this issue by expanding the criteria the commissioner of education uses to award an academic distinction for outstanding performance in attainment of postsecondary readiness and increasing the funding for P-TECH.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 4746 amends the Education Code to include the percentages of students who completed a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program established under state law or another early college high school program among the criteria the commissioner of education is required to adopt for purposes of awarding an academic distinction designation under the public school accountability system to public school districts and campuses for outstanding performance in attainment of postsecondary readiness.

H.B. 4746 revises a career and technology education allotment relating to designations as a P‑TECH school as follows:

· removes a district's entitlement to such an allotment for each student in average daily attendance (ADA) enrolled in a campus that is a member of the New Tech Network and that focuses on project-based learning and work-based education; and

· increases from $50 to $150 a district's entitlement to the allotment for each student in ADA enrolled at a campus designated as a P-TECH school under state law.

H.B. 4746 applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.