bill counting P-TECH grads toward academic distinction

The text as introduced · 487 words

89R1081 TSS-F

By: Johnson
S.B. No. 557

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to academic distinction designations under the public

school accountability system and the career and technology

allotment under the Foundation School Program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 39.202, Education Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 39.202. ACADEMIC DISTINCTION DESIGNATION FOR

DISTRICTS AND CAMPUSES. The commissioner by rule shall establish

an academic distinction designation for districts and campuses for

outstanding performance in attainment of postsecondary readiness.

The commissioner shall adopt criteria for the designation under

this section, including:

(1) percentages of students who:

(A) performed satisfactorily, as determined

under the college readiness performance standard under Section

39.0241, on assessment instruments required under Section

39.023(a), (b), (c), or (l), aggregated across grade levels by

subject area; or

(B) met the standard for annual improvement, as

determined by the agency under Section 39.034, on assessment

instruments required under Section 39.023(a), (b), (c), or (l),

aggregated across grade levels by subject area, for students who

did not perform satisfactorily as described by Paragraph (A);

(2) percentages of:

(A) students who earned a nationally or

internationally recognized business or industry certification or

license;

(B) students who completed a coherent sequence of

career and technical courses;

(C) students who completed a dual credit course

or an articulated postsecondary course provided for local credit;

(D) students who achieved applicable College

Readiness Benchmarks or the equivalent on the Preliminary

Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT), the Scholastic Assessment Test

(SAT), the American College Test (ACT), or the ACT-Plan assessment

program; [ and ]

(E) students who received a score on either an

advanced placement test or an international baccalaureate

examination to be awarded college credit; and

(F) students who completed a Pathways in

Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program established

under Subchapter N, Chapter 29, or another early college high

school program; and

(3) other factors for determining sufficient student

attainment of postsecondary readiness.

SECTION 2. Section 48.106(a-1), Education Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(a-1) In addition to the amounts under Subsection (a), for

each student in average daily attendance enrolled at a campus

designated as a P-TECH school under Section 29.556 , a district is

entitled to $150 [ $50 for each of the following in which the student

is enrolled:

[ (1) a campus designated as a P-TECH school under

Section 29.556; or

[ (2) a campus that is a member of the New Tech Network

and that focuses on project-based learning and work-based

education ].

SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026

school year.

SECTION 4. 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, 2025.