81R1442 EAH-F
By: West S.B. No. 453
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the provision of competitive grants to fund programs
for certain public school students assigned to disciplinary
alternative education programs or in-school suspension.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 37.0083 to read as follows:
Sec. 37.0083. GRANTS FOR INNOVATIVE DISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS
FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS. (a) In this section, "student at risk of
dropping out of school" has the meaning assigned by Section
29.081(d).
(b) Using funds appropriated for that purpose, the
commissioner shall award grants to school districts to conduct
youth violence prevention, drug abuse prevention, or delinquency
prevention programs for students at risk of dropping out of school
assigned to a disciplinary alternative education program or an
in-school suspension setting.
(c) A school district shall use a grant awarded under this
section to develop a case management system for students at risk of
dropping out of school assigned to a disciplinary alternative
education program or an in-school suspension setting in grades 6
through 12. A district may not reduce funding for an existing
program supporting students in disciplinary alternative education
programs or in-school suspension settings by use of funds awarded
under this section.
(d) A school district may contract with a private provider,
another public school, or a regional education service center for
services to implement a grant awarded under this section. As
required by the commissioner, a school district awarded a grant
under this section must agree to obtain technical assistance and
participate in training and evaluations.
(e) A school district awarded a grant under this section
shall implement programs that:
(1) target students who demonstrate abusive conduct
and behaviors, including assault, abuse, aggression,
insubordination, bullying, sexual harassment, intimidation of
others, destruction of school property, sale or possession of
dangerous drugs, and possession of weapons;
(2) provide services to students selected by campus
principals for behavioral intervention;
(3) utilize documented violence prevention, drug
abuse prevention, or delinquency prevention programs, including
group skills training, individual behavioral counseling, and
community service learning projects;
(4) use a case management system for a 12-month period
with each student to ensure a successful transition to the regular
education program; and
(5) work closely with a student's parent, guardian, or
other person standing in parental relation to the student or having
control of the student under a court order.
(f) The commissioner shall provide for a grant application,
review, and award process on a competitive basis and may use one or
more regional education service centers for that purpose and for
training and technical assistance. A regional education service
center participating in a grant proposal with a school district may
not participate in activities under this subsection.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.