TX
Texas Senate Bill SB789

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB789

Filed
2/8/23  
Out of Senate Committee
4/24/23  
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to academic distinction designations under the public school accountability system and the career and technology allotment under the Foundation School Program.

Impact

The passage of SB789 is expected to have a significant positive impact on the educational framework in Texas. By integrating P-TECH pathways into the accountability system, the bill encourages schools to adopt innovative teaching methodologies that foster student engagement and success. The financial aspects of the bill bolster this initiative by proposing a career and technology allotment under the Foundation School Program, which seeks to increase funding for schools that have P-TECH programs or similar pathways. This aligns financial support with educational goals, promoting a more skilled workforce for the state's future.

Summary

Senate Bill 789, proposed by Senator Johnson, focuses on enhancing the public school accountability system in Texas by establishing new academic distinction designations. The bill aims to include the completion of the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program as a criterion for student achievement. This addition is part of a broader strategy to recognize schools that excel in preparing students for postsecondary readiness and career opportunities, thereby shifting the educational landscape to emphasize both academic and technical competencies.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB789 appears to be overwhelmingly positive, particularly among educators and stakeholders in the academic community. Supporters argue that the bill will enhance educational outcomes and ensure that students are better prepared for college and careers. Testimonies from officials within the Texas Education Association reflect a belief that SB789 will bridge existing gaps in educational preparedness and significantly bolster Texas's competitiveness in an increasingly technology-driven economy. This sense of optimism is highlighted by the unanimous support the bill received during voting.

Contention

While no major points of contention were noted in the discussions surrounding SB789, some concerns were expressed regarding the potential for increased testing and accountability pressures on schools. Critics worry that with the introduction of additional metrics for achievement, there could be an overemphasis on standardized testing, potentially overshadowing broader educational priorities. Nonetheless, the consensus generally leans towards the belief that the benefits of recognizing and rewarding schools fostering technical skills outweigh these concerns.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

  • Chapter 39. Public School System Accountability
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: 0544
  • Chapter 48. Foundation School Program
    • Section: 106
    • Section: 106

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB174

Relating to the public school accountability system and the career and technology allotment under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB75

Relating to the public school accountability system and the career and technology allotment under the Foundation School Program.

TX SB557

Relating to academic distinction designations under the public school accountability system and the career and technology allotment under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB4746

Relating to academic distinction designations under the public school accountability system and the career and technology allotment under the Foundation School Program.

TX SB56

Relating to academic distinction designations under the public school accountability system and the career and technology allotment under the Foundation School Program.

TX SB16

Relating to academic distinction designations under the public school accountability system and the career and technology allotment under the Foundation School Program.

TX SB1686

Relating to indicators of achievement under the public school accountability system, the career and technology allotment under the public school finance system, and enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System.

TX HB4402

Relating to the administration of certain assessment instruments, the accountability rating system for assessing campus and district performance, public school career and technology education programs, and an extracurricular and cocurricular allotment under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB1147

Relating to military readiness for purposes of the indicators of achievement under the public school accountability system and the college, career, or military readiness outcomes bonus under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB120

Relating to college, career, and military readiness in public schools, including career and technology education programs, the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program, and the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) program, funding for those programs under the Foundation School Program, and workforce reporting to support those programs, to the public school accountability system, and to the new instructional facility allotment and the permissible uses of funding under the Foundation School Program.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.