González Bill Creates State Grants For After-School Programs

The text as introduced · 880 words

90R2509 GP-D

By: González of El Paso
H.B. No. 443

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of an extracurricular community education

grant program.

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

SECTION 1. Section 29.251, Education Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 29.251. DEFINITION [ DEFINITIONS ]. In this subchapter ,

"community [ :

[ (4) "Community ] education" means the process by which

the citizens in a school district, using the resources and

facilities of the district or an eligible organization , organize to

support each other and to solve their mutual educational problems

and meet their mutual lifelong needs. Community education may

include:

(1) [ (A) ] educational programs, including programs

relating to cultural awareness, parenting skills education and

parental involvement in school programs, and multilevel adult

education and personal growth;

(2) [ (B) ] community involvement programs, including

programs for community economic development, school volunteers,

partnerships between schools and businesses, coordination with

community agencies, school-age child care, family literacy, and

community use of facilities; and

(3) [ (C) ] programs for youth enrolled in schools,

including [ programs for ] dropout prevention and recovery programs,

drug-free school programs, school-age parenting programs, and

academic enhancement programs provided both during and outside of

regular school hours .

SECTION 2. Subchapter H, Chapter 29, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 29.258 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.258. EXTRACURRICULAR COMMUNITY EDUCATION GRANT

PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "extracurricular community

education program" means a community education program for youth

enrolled in schools that is provided outside of regular school

hours, including programs provided after school or during the

summer.

(b) The commissioner shall establish a grant program to

assist eligible organizations with providing extracurricular

community education programs that promote learning and academic

enrichment and may include activities involving art, music,

community engagement, literacy, science, technology, engineering,

math, health, mental health, or recreation.

(c) The objectives of the grant program established by this

section are to:

(1) improve student academic performance by

increasing access to after-school and summer learning and

enrichment opportunities;

(2) reduce truancy by fostering student engagement in

learning and connections to the school and community;

(3) improve student mental health by identifying those

in need and providing early intervention to students and their

families;

(4) increase student access to protective factors that

promote healthy behaviors, attitudes, and relationships, including

access to connections with caring adults;

(5) encourage students to develop the skills and

behaviors necessary to become productive adults, including those

necessary to succeed in postsecondary education or career

opportunities; and

(6) establish community partnerships to ensure

equitable access to resources for students and their families.

(d) To be eligible for a grant under this section, an

organization that provides or seeks to provide an extracurricular

community education program must submit a grant application to the

agency that includes:

(1) an assessment of community needs and existing

program resources, including a description of the extent to which:

(A) students and their families were involved in

the determination of community needs; and

(B) the program addresses or will address the

identified needs;

(2) a description of the organization's relationship

with a public school that the students participating in the program

attend, if applicable;

(3) an analysis of the extent to which the program will

further the objectives described by Subsection (c);

(4) a plan for implementing educational strategies

consistent with industry best practices and for providing program

staff with access to professional development opportunities; and

(5) a description of the data the organization will

use to evaluate the impact of the program.

(e) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to

administer the grant program established by this section, including

rules to:

(1) establish a methodology for selecting among

eligible organizations that have applied under Subsection (d) to

receive grants that prioritizes:

(A) programs primarily serving historically

underserved students;

(B) organizations partnered or otherwise

collaborating with public schools that program participants

attend; and

(C) organizations providing a wide array of

services and activities to meet community needs and the objectives

described by Subsection (c); and

(2) monitor and evaluate the performance of grant

recipients, including assessing the effectiveness of a program in

meeting the objectives described by Subsection (c).

(f) To the extent practicable, the commissioner shall award

grants under this section:

(1) equitably among the geographic areas of the state,

including urban, rural, and suburban communities; and

(2) without regard to the grade level of students

served by a program.

(g) The agency shall provide program development assistance

to organizations that receive a grant under this section, including

professional development opportunities for program leaders and

guidance on educational strategies consistent with industry best

practices.

SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the commissioner of education shall establish the

extracurricular community education grant program under Section

29.258, Education Code, as added by this Act, and adopt all rules

necessary for the implementation of that section.

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, 2027.