81R9407 KKA-D
By: Eissler H.B. No. 2264
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishment of an after-school grant program for
certain students in public middle or junior high schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.091 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.091. MIDDLE AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM
FOR AFTER-SCHOOL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. (a) From funds
appropriated for that purpose, the commissioner shall establish a
program under which grants are awarded to school districts to
implement after-school learning opportunities for students in
middle and junior high schools who are at risk of dropping out of
school, as described by Section 29.081(d).
(b) Activities funded with a grant under this section must
be designed to:
(1) promote the ability of students to succeed in
middle or junior high school;
(2) prepare students for the transition to high school
so that the students enter high school with the ability to succeed,
graduate, and successfully pursue postsecondary options;
(3) provide students with the opportunity to
investigate diverse career options; and
(4) provide students and their parents with
information regarding opportunities for higher education.
(c) The commissioner shall establish application criteria
for receiving a grant under this section. The criteria must
require a school district that applies for a grant to collaborate
with local businesses and nonprofit organizations in providing
activities designed to achieve the goals described by Subsection
(b).
(d) The commissioner may:
(1) accept gifts, grants, or donations from a private
foundation to implement a grant program under this section; and
(2) coordinate gifts, grants, or donations with other
available funding to implement a grant program under this section.
(e) The commissioner shall establish procedures for
evaluating the effectiveness of activities funded with a grant
awarded under this section. The procedures must include
consideration of:
(1) school attendance rates;
(2) student performance in academic subjects; and
(3) subsequent high school completion rates.
(f) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to
administer the grant program under this section.
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.