BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center C.S.H.B. 842 83R29069 JRJ-D By: Bell et al. (Deuell) Education 5/14/2013 Committee Report (Substituted)
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.H.B. 842
83R29069 JRJ-D By: Bell et al. (Deuell)
Education
5/14/2013
Committee Report (Substituted)
Senate Research Center
C.S.H.B. 842
83R29069 JRJ-D
By: Bell et al. (Deuell)
Education
5/14/2013
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT In Texas, public schools are the primary means by which adolescents and young adults gain access to the knowledge base and skills that will prepare them for future employment and for higher education. However, a growing number of business and industry representatives have expressed concern that students are not given enough opportunity to develop occupational knowledge and job skills. Interested parties contend that the lack of this opportunity may leave Texas students underserved and compound the projected shortages of qualified applicants in certain occupations. In addition, some school districts in Texas have expressed concern regarding rigidity within Texas education laws that prohibits the districts from expanding opportunities for students to explore career and technical education programs that may lead to high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage occupations. C.S.H.B. 842 amends current law relating to the provision of certain opportunities to career and technical students by public school districts under the college credit program. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 28.009, Education Code, adding Subsection (a-1), as follows: (a-1) Authorizes a program implemented under this section (College Credit Program) to provide a student the opportunity to earn credit for a course or activity, including an apprenticeship or training hours: (1) that: (A) satisfies a requirement necessary to obtain an industry-recognized credential or certificate or an associate degree; and (B) is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and (2) for which a student is authorized to earn credit concurrently toward both the student's high school diploma and postsecondary academic requirements. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014 school year. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In Texas, public schools are the primary means by which adolescents and young adults gain access to the knowledge base and skills that will prepare them for future employment and for higher education. However, a growing number of business and industry representatives have expressed concern that students are not given enough opportunity to develop occupational knowledge and job skills. Interested parties contend that the lack of this opportunity may leave Texas students underserved and compound the projected shortages of qualified applicants in certain occupations. In addition, some school districts in Texas have expressed concern regarding rigidity within Texas education laws that prohibits the districts from expanding opportunities for students to explore career and technical education programs that may lead to high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage occupations.
C.S.H.B. 842 amends current law relating to the provision of certain opportunities to career and technical students by public school districts under the college credit program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 28.009, Education Code, adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:
(a-1) Authorizes a program implemented under this section (College Credit Program) to provide a student the opportunity to earn credit for a course or activity, including an apprenticeship or training hours:
(1) that:
(A) satisfies a requirement necessary to obtain an industry-recognized credential or certificate or an associate degree; and
(B) is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and
(2) for which a student is authorized to earn credit concurrently toward both the student's high school diploma and postsecondary academic requirements.
SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.