81R2049 PAM-D
By: Deshotel H.B. No. 160
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation and administration of a community-based
at-risk youth program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 33, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter G to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER G. EDUCATION AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM
Sec. 33.251. PROGRAM. The agency, in conjunction with the
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall administer the
Education and Self-Sufficiency Program as described by this
subchapter.
Sec. 33.252. STATE DIRECTOR. The commissioner shall
designate a state director for the Education and Self-Sufficiency
Program.
Sec. 33.253. DUTIES OF STATE DIRECTOR. The state director
shall coordinate community-based efforts to:
(1) assist students at risk of dropping out of school,
as defined by Section 29.081, to develop a foundation for a
well-balanced and appropriate education from early childhood
education through middle and junior high school through the use of:
(A) small school campuses that permit highly
personal learning environments and that offer a culturally
sensitive curriculum;
(B) a variety of instructional and interactive
methods to develop self-respect, self-confidence, and students'
leadership skills; and
(C) after-school enrichment programs to help
students complete homework and improve academic skills;
(2) provide at least two years of mentoring for high
school students qualified and planning to pursue a postsecondary
education;
(3) provide vocational education training for high
school students who do not plan to pursue a postsecondary
education; and
(4) provide high school graduates who do not plan to
pursue a postsecondary education and parents of students adult job
training, including job readiness training and vocational
education training, and job placement assistance to assist those
high school graduates and parents in transitioning from job
training into the workforce.
Sec. 33.254. PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAM. A community-based
organization may participate in the program if the organization has
a proven track record of successfully working independently in an
area identified in Section 33.253.
Sec. 33.255. FUNDING; DONATIONS. (a) The state director
shall solicit and may accept federal funds, state funds, private
contributions, grants, and public and school district funds to
support the activities of the Education and Self-Sufficiency
Program.
(b) The state director may accept a donation of services or
money or other property that the state director determines furthers
the lawful objectives of the program. Each donation, with the name
of the donor and the purpose of the donation, must be reported in
the public records of the program.
SECTION 2. 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, 2009.