H.B. No. 3706
AN ACT
relating to certain alternative education programs designed to
address workforce development needs for at-risk students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 29.081, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsections (e-1) and (e-2) to
read as follows:
(e) A school district may use a private or public
community-based dropout recovery education program to provide
alternative education programs for students at risk of dropping out
of school. The program may be offered:
(1) at a campus; or
(2) through the use of an Internet online program that
leads to a high school diploma and prepares the student to enter the
workforce.
(e-1) A campus-based dropout recovery education program
[The programs] must:
(1) provide not less than four hours of instructional
time per day;
(2) employ as faculty and administrators persons with
baccalaureate or advanced degrees;
(3) provide at least one instructor for each 28
students;
(4) perform satisfactorily according to performance
indicators and accountability standards adopted for alternative
education programs by the commissioner; and
(5) comply with this title and rules adopted under
this title except as otherwise provided by this subsection.
(e-2) An Internet online dropout recovery education program
must:
(1) include as a part of its curriculum credentials,
certifications, or other course offerings that relate directly to
employment opportunities in the state;
(2) employ as faculty and administrators persons with
baccalaureate or advanced degrees;
(3) provide an academic coach and local advocate for
each student;
(4) use an individual learning plan to monitor each
student's progress;
(5) establish satisfactory requirements for the
monthly progress of students according to standards set by the
commissioner;
(6) provide a monthly report to the student's school
district regarding the student's progress;
(7) perform satisfactorily according to performance
indicators and accountability standards adopted for alternative
education programs by the commissioner; and
(8) comply with this title and rules adopted under
this title except as otherwise provided by this subsection.
SECTION 2. Sections 29.0822(b) and (c), Education Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(b) To enable a school district to provide a program under
this section that meets the needs of students described by
Subsection (a), a school district that meets application
requirements may:
(1) provide flexibility in the number of hours each
day a student attends;
(2) provide flexibility in the number of days each
week a student attends; [or]
(3) allow a student to enroll in less than or more than
a full course load; or
(4) allow a student to enroll in a dropout recovery
program in which courses are conducted online.
(c) Except in the case of a course designed for a student
described by Subsection (a)(3) or enrolled in a course described by
Subsection (b)(4), a course offered in a program under this section
must provide for at least the same number of instructional hours as
required for a course offered in a program that meets the required
minimum number of instructional days under Section 25.081 and the
required length of school day under Section 25.082.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018
school year.
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, 2017.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 3706 was passed by the House on May 9,
2017, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 3706 was passed by the Senate on May
24, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor