By: Keffer H.B. No. 2471
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to career and technical education in the public schools
and high school graduation requirements.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
ARTICLE 1. HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 1.01. Sections 28.002(a) and (n), Education Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(a) Each school district that offers kindergarten through
grade 12 shall offer, as a required curriculum:
(1) a foundation curriculum that includes:
(A) English language arts;
(B) mathematics;
(C) science; and
(D) social studies, consisting of Texas, United
States, and world history, government, and geography; and
(2) an enrichment curriculum that includes:
(A) to the extent possible, languages other than
English;
(B) health, with emphasis on the importance of
proper nutrition and exercise;
(C) physical education;
(D) fine arts;
(E) economics, with emphasis on the free
enterprise system and its benefits;
(F) career and technicaltechnology education;
(G) technology applications; and
(H) religious literature, including the Hebrew
Scriptures (Old Testament) and New Testament, and its impact on
history and literature.
(n) The State Board of Education shallmay by rule develop
and implement a plan designed to incorporate foundation curriculum
requirements into the career and technicaltechnology education
curriculum under Subsection (a)(2)(F).
SECTION 1.02. Section 28.025 of the Education Code is
amended to read:
Sec. 28.025. HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND CERTIFICATE; ACADEMIC
ACHIEVEMENT RECORD. (a) The State Board of Education by rule
shall determine curriculum requirements for the minimum
standard, recommended, and advanced high school programs that are
consistent with the required curriculum under Section 28.002.
(b) A school district shall ensure that each student enrolls
in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements
identified by the State Board of Education under Subsection (a) for
the recommended or, advanced high school and program unless the
student, the student's parent or other person standing in parental
relation to the student, and a school counselor or school
administrator agree that the student should be permitted to take
courses under the minimumstandard high school programs. The
State Board of Education by rule shall require that:
(1) the curriculum requirements for the recommended
and advanced high school programs include a requirement that
students successfully complete four courses in each subject of the
foundation curriculum under Section 28.002(a)(1); and
(2) Within the recommended program students shall have
at least two distinct options, including but not limited to:
(A) a science and mathematics option that shall
require four credits in mathematics and four credits in science
from the list of courses approved by the State Board of Education;
and
(b) an opportunities option that that shall not
require more than three credits in mathematics and three credits in
science; this option shall include four credits approved by the
State Board of Education in any combination of the following
courses:
(i) career and technical;
(ii) English language arts;
(iii) social studies;
(iv) languages other than English; and
(v) fine arts.
(c) A school district may submit one or more career and
technical course for review and approval by the State Board of
Education to satisfy the requirements of subsections
28.002(a)(1)(B) and 28.002(a)(1)(C). The district shall submit any
such course on or before January 1 preceding the first school year
for which the district requests approval of the course.
(1) The district shall submit a detailed description
of the course, the curriculum, the instructional materials and/or
equipment required, and any other information required by the
board.
(2) The board shall have 180 days from the date the
district requests approval of the course and submits required
information to approve or disapprove the course. If the board (or
commissioner) does not disapprove the course within the 180-day
period, the course shall be deemed approved to meet the
requirements of subsections 28.002(a)(1)(B) and 28.002(a)(1)(C).
(3) Approval of a course by the board or by expiration
of the 180-day period shall be for a period of three school years,
after which the district may request that the course be re-approved
for an additional three-year period.
(4) Any school district in Texas may offer a course
that has been approved in accordance with this subsection.
(b-1d) (1) except as provided by Subsection (b-2), the
curriculum requirements for the recommended and advanced high
school programs under Subsection (a) include a requirement that
students successfully complete four courses in each subject of the
foundation curriculum under Section 28.002(a)(1);
(2) one or more courses offered in the required
curriculum for the recommended and advanced high school programs
include a research writing component.
(b-2) In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State
Board of Education shall allow a student to comply with the
curriculum requirements for a mathematics course under Subsection
(b-1)(1) taken after the successful completion of an Algebra II
course or science course under Subsection (b-1)(1) taken after the
successful completion of a physics course by successfully
completing an advanced career and technical course designated by
the State Board of Education as containing substantively similar
and rigorous academic content. A student may use the option
provided by this subsection for not more than two courses.
(ce) A person may receive a diploma if the person is
eligible for a diploma under Section 28.0251. In other cases, a
student may graduate and receive a diploma only if:
(1) the student successfully completes the curriculum
requirements identified by the State Board of Education under
Subsection (a) and complies with Section 39.025; or
(2) the student successfully completes an
individualized education program developed under Section 29.005.
(df) A school district may issue a certificate of coursework
completion to a student who successfully completes the curriculum
requirements identified by the State Board of Education under
Subsection (a) but who fails to comply with Section 39.025. A
school district may allow a student who receives a certificate to
participate in a graduation ceremony with students receiving high
school diplomas.
(eg) Each school district shall report the academic
achievement record of students who have completed a minimum
standard, recommended, or advanced high school program on
transcript forms adopted by the State Board of Education. The
transcript forms adopted by the board must be designed to clearly
differentiate between each of the high school programs and identify
whether a student received a diploma or a certificate of coursework
completion.
(fh) A school district shall issue a certificate of
attendance to a student who receives special education services
under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, and who has completed four years of
high school but has not completed the student's individualized
education program. A school district shall allow a student who
receives a certificate to participate in a graduation ceremony with
students receiving high school diplomas. A student may participate
in only one graduation ceremony under this subsection. This
subsection does not preclude a student from receiving a diploma
under Subsection (c)(2)(e).
(gj) If a student, other than a student permitted to take
courses under the minimum standard high school program as provided
by Subsection (bc), is unable to complete the recommended or
advanced high school program solely because necessary courses were
unavailable to the student at the appropriate times in the
student's high school career as a result of course scheduling, lack
of enrollment capacity, or another cause not within the student's
control, the school district shall indicate that fact on the
student's transcript form described by Subsection (eg).
SECTION 1.03. Section 29.182, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 29.182. STATE PLAN FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION. (a) In coordination with the State Board of
Education, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the comptroller, the
[The] agency shall prepare and biennially update a state plan for
career and technicaltechnology education that sets forth
objectives for career and technicaltechnology education for the
next biennium and long-term goals for the following five years.
(b) The state plan must include procedures designed to
ensure that:
(1) all secondary and postsecondary students have the
opportunity to participate in career and technicaltechnology
education programs;
(2) the state complies with requirements for
supplemental federal career and technicaltechnology education
funding; and
(3) career and technicaltechnology education is
established as a part of the total education system of this state.
(c) Not later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year, the
agency shall submit the most recently updated state plan to the
legislature.
SECTION 1.04. Section 39.025(a), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) The commissioner shall adopt rules requiring a student
participating in the recommended or advanced high school program to
be administered each end-of-course assessment instrument listed in
Section 39.023(c) and requiring a student participating in the
standardminimum high school program to be administered an
end-of-course assessment instrument listed in Section 39.023(c)
only for a course in which the student is enrolled and for which an
end-of-course assessment instrument is administered. A student is
required to achieve, in each subject in the foundation curriculum
under Section 28.002(a)(1), a cumulative score that is at least
equal to the product of the number of end-of-course assessment
instruments administered to the student in that subject and 70,
with each end-of-course assessment instrument scored on a scale of
100. A student must achieve a score of at least 60 on an
end-of-course assessment instrument for the score to count towards
the student's cumulative score. For purposes of this subsection, a
student's cumulative score is determined using the student's
highest score on each end-of-course assessment instrument
administered to the student. A student may not receive a high
school diploma until the student has performed satisfactorily on
the end-of-course assessment instruments in the manner provided
under this subsection. This subsection does not require a student
to demonstrate readiness to enroll in an institution of higher
education.
SECTION 1.05. Subchapter D, Chapter 301, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 301.0612 to read as follows:
Sec. 301.0612. EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL
STUDENTS. (a) The commission shall provide the Texas Education
Agency with information at least each quarter regarding current and
projected employment opportunities in this state, disaggregated by
county or other appropriate region.
(b) The Texas Education Agency shall provide the
information obtained under Subsection (a) to school districts for
use in local planning and implementation of career and technical
education and training programs.
ARTICLE 2. TERMINOLOGY CHANGES
SECTION 2.01. Section 5.001(2), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(2) "Classroom teacher" means an educator who is
employed by a school district and who, not less than an average of
four hours each day, teaches in an academic instructional setting
or a career and technicaltechnology instructional setting. The
term does not include a teacher's aide or a full-time
administrator.
SECTION 2.02. Section 7.109, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 7.109. DESIGNATION AS STATE BOARD FOR CAREER AND
TECHNICALTECHNOLOGY EDUCATION. (a) The board is also the State
Board for Career and Technicaltechnology Education.
(b) The commissioner is the executive officer through whom
the State Board for Career and Technicaltechnology Education
shall carry out its policies and enforce its rules.
(c) The State Board for Career and Technical [Technology]
Education may contract with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board or any other state agency to assume the leadership role and
administrative responsibility of the State Board for Career and
Technicaltechnology Education for state level administration of
technical-vocational education programs in public community
colleges, public technical institutes, and other eligible public
postsecondary institutions in this state.
(d) The State Board for Career and Technicaltechnology
Education may allocate funds appropriated to the board by the
legislature or federal funds received by the board under the Carl D.
Perkins Vocational Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 2301 et seq.)
or other federal law to an institution or program approved by the
State Board of Education, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board, or another state agency specified by law.
SECTION 2.03. Section 11.158(g), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(g) This section does not prohibit a board of trustees from
charging reasonable fees for goods and services provided in
connection with any postsecondary instructional program, including
career and technicaltechnology, adult, veterans', or continuing
education, community service, evening school, and high school
equivalency programs.
SECTION 2.04. Section 21.055(b), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) To be eligible for a school district teaching permit
under this section, a person must hold a baccalaureate degree. This
subsection does not apply to a person who will teach only career and
technicaltechnology education.
SECTION 2.05. Section 28.003(b), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) In this section, "educational program" means a course or
series of courses in the required curriculum under Section 28.002,
other than a fine arts course under Section 28.002(a)(2)(D) or a
career and technicaltechnology course under Section
28.002(a)(2)(F).
SECTION 2.06. Section 29.001, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 29.001. STATEWIDE PLAN. The agency shall develop, and
modify as necessary, a statewide design, consistent with federal
law, for the delivery of services to children with disabilities in
this state that includes rules for the administration and funding
of the special education program so that a free appropriate public
education is available to all of those children between the ages of
three and 21. The statewide design shall include the provision of
services primarily through school districts and shared services
arrangements, supplemented by regional education service centers.
The agency shall also develop and implement a statewide plan with
programmatic content that includes procedures designed to:
(1) ensure state compliance with requirements for
supplemental federal funding for all state-administered programs
involving the delivery of instructional or related services to
students with disabilities;
(2) facilitate interagency coordination when other
state agencies are involved in the delivery of instructional or
related services to students with disabilities;
(3) periodically assess statewide personnel needs in
all areas of specialization related to special education and pursue
strategies to meet those needs through a consortium of
representatives from regional education service centers, local
education agencies, and institutions of higher education and
through other available alternatives;
(4) ensure that regional education service centers
throughout the state maintain a regional support function, which
may include direct service delivery and a component designed to
facilitate the placement of students with disabilities who cannot
be appropriately served in their resident districts;
(5) allow the agency to effectively monitor and
periodically conduct site visits of all school districts to ensure
that rules adopted under this section are applied in a consistent
and uniform manner, to ensure that districts are complying with
those rules, and to ensure that annual statistical reports filed by
the districts and not otherwise available through the Public
Education Information Management System under Section 42.006, are
accurate and complete;
(6) ensure that appropriately trained personnel are
involved in the diagnostic and evaluative procedures operating in
all districts and that those personnel routinely serve on district
admissions, review, and dismissal committees;
(7) ensure that an individualized education program
for each student with a disability is properly developed,
implemented, and maintained in the least restrictive environment
that is appropriate to meet the student's educational needs;
(8) ensure that, when appropriate, each student with a
disability is provided an opportunity to participate in career and
technicaltechnology and physical education classes, in addition
to participating in regular or special classes;
(9) ensure that each student with a disability is
provided necessary related services; and
(10) ensure that an individual assigned to act as a
surrogate parent for a child with a disability, as provided by 20
U.S.C. Section 1415(b) [and its subsequent amendments], is required
to:
(A) complete a training program that complies
with minimum standards established by agency rule;
(B) visit the child and the child's school;
(C) consult with persons involved in the child's
education, including teachers, caseworkers, court-appointed
volunteers, guardians ad litem, attorneys ad litem, foster parents,
and caretakers;
(D) review the child's educational records;
(E) attend meetings of the child's admission,
review, and dismissal committee;
(F) exercise independent judgment in pursuing
the child's interests; and
(G) exercise the child's due process rights under
applicable state and federal law.
SECTION 2.07. The heading to Subchapter F, Chapter 29,
Education Code, is amended to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER F.
CAREER AND TECHNICALTECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAM
SECTION 2.08. The heading to Section 29.181, Education
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 29.181. PUBLIC EDUCATION CAREER AND TECHNICAL
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION GOALS.
SECTION 2.09. Section 29.183, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 29.183. CAREER AND TECHNICALTECHNOLOGY AND OTHER
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. a) The board of trustees of a school
district may conduct and supervise career and technical
technology classes and other educational programs for students and
for other persons of all ages and spend local maintenance funds for
the cost of those classes and programs.
(b) In developing a career and technicaltechnology
program, the board of trustees shall consider the state plan for
career and technicaltechnology education required under Section
29.182.
SECTION 2.10. Section 29.184, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 29.184. CONTRACTS WITH OTHER SCHOOLS FOR CAREER AND
TECHNICALTECHNOLOGY CLASSES. (a) The board of trustees of a
school district may contract with another school district or with a
public or private postsecondary educational institution or trade or
technical school that is regulated by this state, as designated in
the state plan for career and technicaltechnology education
required under Section 29.182, to provide career and technical
technology classes for students in the district.
(b) A student who attends career and technicaltechnology
classes at another school under a contract authorized by Subsection
(a) is included in the average daily attendance of the district in
which the student is regularly enrolled.
SECTION 2.11. Section 29.185, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 29.185. CAREER AND TECHNICALTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
RULES. The agency shall prescribe requirements for career and
technicaltechnology education in public schools as necessary to
comply with federal law.
SECTION 2.12. The heading to Section 29.187, Education
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 29.187. AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT IN CAREER
AND TECHNICALTECHNOLOGY EDUCATION; PROGRAM.
SECTION 2.13. Sections 29.187(a) and (c), Education Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(a) In addition to the authority granted under Section
29.183, the board of trustees of a school district may develop and
offer a program that provides a rigorous course of study consistent
with the required curriculum under Section 28.002 and under which a
student may:
(1) receive specific education in a career and
technicaltechnology profession that:
(A) leads to postsecondary education; or
(B) meets or exceeds business or industry
standards; and
(2) obtain from the district an award for
distinguished achievement in career and technicaltechnology
education and a stamp or other notation on the student's transcript
that indicates receipt of the award.
(c) In developing a program under this section, the board of
trustees of a school district shall consider the state plan for
career and technicaltechnology education required under Section
29.182.
SECTION 2.14. Section 29.188, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 29.188. RECOGNITION OF SUCCESSFUL CAREER AND TECHNICAL
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAM. The governor is encouraged to
present a proclamation or certificate to each member of the
business and industry community that the Texas Workforce
Commission, in cooperation with the agency, determines has
successfully assisted in the provision of a career and technical
technology education program under this subchapter.
SECTION 2.15. Section 29.190(a), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) A student is entitled to a subsidy under this section if
the student:
(1) successfully completes the career and technical
technology program of a school district in which the student
receives training and instruction for employment in a certain trade
or occupation;
(2) passes a certification examination to qualify for
a license or certificate for the trade or occupation; and
(3) demonstrates financial need.
SECTION 2.16. Section 39.071(b), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) Each year, the commissioner shall determine the
accreditation status of each school district. In determining
accreditation status, the commissioner:
(1) shall evaluate and consider the performance of the
district under:
(A) the academic accountability system under
Section 39.072; and
(B) the financial accountability rating system
under Subchapter I; and
(2) may consider:
(A) the district's compliance with statutory
requirements and requirements imposed by rule of the commissioner
or State Board of Education under specific statutory authority that
relate to:
(i) reporting data through the Public
Education Information Management System (PEIMS) or other reports
required by state or federal law or court order;
(ii) the high school graduation
requirements under Section 28.025; or
(iii) an item listed under Sections
7.056(e)(3)(C)-(I) that applies to the district;
(B) the effectiveness of the district's programs
for special populations; and
(C) the effectiveness of the district's career
and technicaltechnology program.
SECTION 2.17. Section 39.072(b), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) The academic excellence indicators adopted under
Sections 39.051(b)(1) through (8) and the district's current
special education compliance status with the agency shall be the
main considerations of the agency in the rating of the district
under this section. Additional criteria in the rules may include
consideration of:
(1) compliance with statutory requirements and
requirements imposed by rule of the State Board of Education under
specific statutory authority that relate to:
(A) reporting data through the Public Education
Information Management System (PEIMS);
(B) the high school graduation requirements
under Section 28.025; or
(C) an item listed in Sections
7.056(e)(3)(C)-(I) that applies to the district;
(2) the effectiveness of the district's programs for
special populations; and
(3) the effectiveness of the district's career and
technicaltechnology programs.
SECTION 2.18. The heading to Section 41.125, Education
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 41.125. CAREER AND TECHNICALTECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
PROGRAMS.
SECTION 2.19. Section 41.125(a), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) The board of trustees of a school district with a wealth
per student that exceeds the equalized wealth level may reduce the
district's wealth per student by executing an agreement to provide
students of one or more other districts with career and technical
technology education through a program designated as an area
program for career and technicaltechnology education.
SECTION 2.20. Section 42.101, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 42.101. BASIC ALLOTMENT. For each student in average
daily attendance, not including the time students spend each day in
special education programs in an instructional arrangement other
than mainstream or career and technicaltechnology education
programs, for which an additional allotment is made under
Subchapter C, a district is entitled to an allotment in an amount
equal to the product of the amount per student per cent of tax
effort available to a district at the percentile in wealth per
student specified by Section 42.302(a-1)(1), multiplied by 86. A
greater amount for any school year may be provided by
appropriation.
SECTION 2.21. Section 42.154, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 42.154. CAREER AND TECHNICALTECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
ALLOTMENT. (a) For each full-time equivalent student in average
daily attendance in an approved career and technicaltechnology
education program in grades nine through 12 or in career and
technicaltechnology education programs for students with
disabilities in grades seven through 12, a district is entitled to
an annual allotment equal to the adjusted basic allotment
multiplied by a weight of 1.35.
(a-1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,
the commissioner shall develop and implement a pilot program under
which a school district is entitled to additional funding for each
student receiving career and technicaltechnology instruction in
grade eight. The commissioner shall select not more than five
school districts for participation in the pilot program. In
selecting school districts for participation, the commissioner
shall consider school districts that can provide services under the
program at the least cost. For each full-time equivalent student in
grade eight in average daily attendance in an approved career and
technicaltechnology education program, a school district
participating in the program under this subsection is entitled to
an annual allotment equal to the adjusted basic allotment
multiplied by a weight of 1.35. Funds allocated under this
subsection, other than an indirect cost allotment established under
State Board of Education rule, must be used in providing career and
technicaltechnology programs in grade eight under Sections
29.182, 29.183, and 29.184. A school district is entitled to an
allotment under this subsection for each school year through the
completion of the 2011-2012 school year. Not later than January 1,
2013, the agency shall prepare and deliver to each member of the
legislature a report describing the effectiveness of the pilot
program described by this subsection. This subsection expires
February 1, 2013.
(b) In this section, "full-time equivalent student" means
30 hours of contact a week between a student and career and
technicaltechnology education program personnel.
(c) Funds allocated under this section, other than an
indirect cost allotment established under State Board of Education
rule, must be used in providing career and technicaltechnology
education programs in grades nine through 12 or career and
technicaltechnology education programs for students with
disabilities in grades seven through 12 under Sections 29.182,
29.183, and 29.184.
(d) The commissioner shall conduct a cost-benefit
comparison between career and technicaltechnology education
programs and mathematics and science programs.
(e) Out of the total statewide allotment for career and
technicaltechnology education under this section, the
commissioner shall set aside an amount specified in the General
Appropriations Act, which may not exceed an amount equal to one
percent of the total amount appropriated, to support regional
career and technicaltechnology education planning. After
deducting the amount set aside under this subsection from the total
amount appropriated for career and technicaltechnology
education under this section, the commissioner shall reduce each
district's tier one allotments in the same manner described for a
reduction in allotments under Section 42.253.
SECTION 2.22. Section 42.155(f), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(f) The cost of transporting career and technical
technology education students from one campus to another inside a
district or from a sending district to another secondary public
school for a career and technicaltechnology program or an area
career and technicaltechnology school or to an approved
post-secondary institution under a contract for instruction
approved by the agency shall be reimbursed based on the number of
actual miles traveled times the district's official
extracurricular travel per mile rate as set by the board of trustees
and approved by the agency.
SECTION 2.23. The heading to Section 45.106, Education
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 45.106. USE OF COUNTY AVAILABLE FUND APPORTIONMENT FOR
AREA SCHOOLS CAREER AND TECHNICALTECHNOLOGY EDUCATION.
SECTION 2.24. Section 45.106(a), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) A school district or accumulation of districts that
operates a school designated as an area school for career and
technicaltechnology education purposes or that participates in a
designated area career and technicaltechnology education
program shall use its annual county available school fund
apportionment, if any, in the operation of the area school or
program or in financing facilities for the school, notwithstanding
any laws to the contrary.
SECTION 2.25. Section 62.155, Labor Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 62.155. EMPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN YOUTHS AND STUDENTS. An
employer is exempt from this chapter with respect to the employment
of a person who:
(1) is less than 18 years of age and is not a high
school graduate or a graduate of a career and technical
[vocational] training program, other than a person who is employed
in agriculture and whose pay is computed on a piece rate;
(2) is less than 20 years of age and is a student
regularly enrolled in a high school, college, university, or career
and technical [vocational] training program, other than a person
who is employed in agriculture and whose pay is computed on a piece
rate; or
(3) has a disability and who is:
(A) not more than 21 years of age;
(B) a client of vocational rehabilitation; and
(C) participating in a cooperative school-work
program.
ARTICLE 3. REPEALER; EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 3.01. Sections 28.025(b) and (b-2), Education Code,
are repealed.
SECTION 3.02. Not later than January 1, 2010, the State
Board of Education shall adopt rules as required by Section
28.025(b-1), Education Code, as amended by this Act. The rules
shall provide that the curriculum requirements for the recommended
and advanced high school programs adopted under that subsection
apply to a student regardless of the school year in which the
student entered the ninth grade.
SECTION 3.03. 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.