81R11383 CS-D
By: Deshotel H.B. No. 3449
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishment of a pilot program to provide financial
incentives to students in academically unacceptable public school
campuses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.117 to read as follows:
Sec. 39.117. PILOT PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN
ACADEMICALLY UNACCEPTABLE CAMPUSES. (a) The commissioner shall
establish a pilot program under which ninth grade students in
selected campuses are provided financial incentives for
performance in certain academic classes.
(b) A campus is eligible to participate in the pilot program
if the campus:
(1) has been designated as academically unacceptable
under Section 39.072; and
(2) applies to the commissioner to participate in the
pilot program.
(c) The commissioner shall select campuses for
participation in the pilot program using a lottery system or
similar random selection process.
(d) At the end of each grading period, each student enrolled
at the ninth grade level at a selected campus is entitled to an
award based on the student's performance in each class in a subject
included in the foundation curriculum under Section 28.002(a)(1).
The amount of the student's award is determined as follows:
(1) $50 for each grade of "A";
(2) $35 for each grade of "B";
(3) $20 for each grade of "C"; and
(4) $0 for each grade of "D" or "F".
(e) A student whose performance qualifies for an award under
Subsection (d) shall receive a payment equal to half the amount of
the award on completion of the grading period. The remaining half
of the award shall be provided to the student in the form of savings
bonds on the student's graduation from high school.
(f) A student may earn an award during the ninth grade only.
(g) A school district must provide a student participating
in the pilot program with college and career counseling and
encouragement to prepare for college entrance exams.
(h) Each campus selected to participate in the pilot program
shall designate an employee to serve as project coordinator for the
campus.
(i) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary for the
administration of the pilot program.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with students who
enter the ninth grade in the 2010-2011 school year.
SECTION 3. 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.