By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 2258
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to intensive summer programs for public school students
and to college readiness programs at public institutions of higher
education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 29.098, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 29.098. INTENSIVE SUMMER PROGRAMS. (a) In this
section, "pilot program" means the intensive summer pilot program
for students identified as being at risk of dropping out of school
or college.
(b) The [From funds appropriated for that purpose, the]
commissioner [of education and the commissioner of higher education
by rule] shall establish a pilot program to award grants to
participating campuses to provide intensive academic instruction
during the period in which school is recessed for the summer
[semester] to promote college and workforce readiness to students
identified as being at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by
Section 29.081 [or college]. A grant awarded under this section may
be used to fund any of the following categories of programs:
(1) [a program administered by an institution of
higher education to provide intensive academic instruction in
English language arts, mathematics, and science to facilitate the
student's transition from high school to a postsecondary
institution;
[(2)] a program administered by a school district in
partnership with an institution of higher education to provide
intensive academic instruction in English language arts,
mathematics, and science to promote high school completion and
college readiness; and
(2) [(3)] a program administered by a school district
in partnership with an institution of higher education to provide
intensive academic instruction in reading and mathematics to
students in grades six through eight to promote high school
completion and college readiness.
(c) The commissioner [of education] may select for
participation in the pilot program only a campus that is eligible
under the criteria established under Section 39.358.
(d) [A grant may be awarded to an institution of higher
education for a program administered under Subsection (b)(1) only
if at least 50 percent of the students served in the program:
[(1) have a score on the Scholastic Assessment Test
(SAT) or American College Test (ACT) that is equal to a score less
than the national mean score;
[(2) have been awarded a grant under the federal Pell
grant program;
[(3) are at least 20 years of age on the date the
student initially enrolls in the institution of higher education;
or
[(4) have enrolled or will initially enroll as a
part-time student.
[(e) A program supported by a grant to provide intensive
summer instruction under this section must:
[(1) provide rigorous academic instruction;
[(2) provide at least four weeks of instruction; and
[(3) for a program described by Subsection (b)(2) or
(3), be designed and implemented in partnership with an institution
of higher education.
[(f) To the extent practicable, an institution of higher
education shall create work-study opportunities for students
enrolled in teacher preparation programs to assist in providing
instruction in programs described by this section.
[(g)] A grant awarded under this section:
(1) may not exceed $750 for each participating
student; and
(2) must be matched by not less than $250 for each
participating student in other federal, state, or local funds,
including private donations.
(e) [(h)] For purposes of Subsection (d)(2) [(g)(2)], a
school district is encouraged to use funds allocated under Section
42.2516(b)(3).
(f) [(i)] A grant awarded under this section may not be used
to replace federal, state, or local funds previously spent on a
summer intensive program, but may be used to expand an existing
program.
(g) [(j)] The entire amount of a grant awarded under this
section:
(1) must fund the program described in the application
for the grant; and
(2) may be used for:
(A) instructional materials;
(B) technology used primarily for the delivery of
supplementary instruction;
(C) teacher training and professional
development, including educator stipends; and
(D) other necessary costs, as determined by the
commissioner [of education].
(h) [(k)] Instructional materials adopted by the State
Board of Education shall be used for instruction in a program under
this section [Subsection (b)(2) or (3)]. The State Board of
Education may adopt any additional instructional materials as
necessary for a program under this section [Subsection (b)(2) or
(3). The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt
instructional materials as necessary for students enrolled in a
program under Subsection (b)(1)].
(i) [(l)] The State Board of Education [and the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board] shall include information technology
instructional resources that incorporate established best
practices for instruction among approved instructional materials
for intensive summer programs under this section to enhance the
effectiveness of the programs.
SECTION 2. Section 61.0762, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 61.0762. PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE STUDENT SUCCESS. (a) To
implement the college readiness and success strategic action plan
adopted under Section 61.0761 and to enhance the success of
students at institutions of higher education, the board by rule
shall [develop]:
(1) develop [summer] higher education bridge programs
in the subject areas of mathematics, science, social science, or
[and] English language arts to increase student success by reducing
the need for developmental education;
(2) develop incentive programs for institutions of
higher education that implement research-based, innovative
developmental education initiatives;
(3) develop a pilot program to award grants to
institutions of higher education for intensive programs designed to
address the needs of students at risk of dropping out of college
[financial assistance programs for educationally disadvantaged
students, as defined by Section 5.001, who take college entrance
and college readiness assessment instruments];
(4) develop professional development programs for
faculty of institutions of higher education on college readiness
standards and the implications of such standards on instruction;
and
(5) develop other programs as determined by the board
that support the participation and success goals in "Closing the
Gaps," the state's master plan for higher education.
(b) The board may award a grant under Subsection (a)(3) to
an institution of higher education only if at least 50 percent of
the students served in the program:
(1) have a score on the Scholastic Assessment Test
(SAT) or American College Test (ACT) that is less than the national
mean score for that test;
(2) have been awarded a grant under the federal Pell
grant program;
(3) are at least 20 years of age on the date the
student enrolls as a first-time freshman in the institution of
higher education;
(4) have enrolled or will initially enroll as a
part-time student; or
(5) meet any other requirements established by the
board.
SECTION 3. Section 39.363, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 39.363. FUNDING FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS. (a) From funds
appropriated, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
allocate $8.75 million each year to establish mathematics, science,
and technology teacher preparation academies under Section 21.462,
provide funding to the commissioner of education to [and] implement
and administer the program under Section 29.098, and award grants
under Section 61.0762(a)(3).
(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
establish mathematics, science, and technology teacher preparation
academies under Section 21.462, provide funding to the commissioner
of education to [and] implement and administer the program under
Section 29.098, and award grants under Section 61.0762(a)(3) in a
manner consistent with the goals of this subchapter and the goals in
"Closing the Gaps," the state's master plan for higher education.
SECTION 4. 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.