86R3401 CAE-D By: Lucio III H.B. No. 4282 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a study by the Texas Education Agency of career and technology education programs. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.193 to read as follows: Sec. 29.193. STUDY AND REPORT ON CREDENTIALS AND CERTIFICATES. (a) The agency shall conduct a study to: (1) evaluate the industry-recognized credentials and certificates that are currently being offered to public high school students through career and technology education programs; and (2) identify any unmet needs in career and technology education programs currently being offered to public high school students. (b) The study must: (1) for each career cluster included in the study: (A) evaluate: (i) the industry-recognized credentials or certificates in the career cluster currently being offered to public high school students through career and technology education programs; and (ii) the knowledge and skills in the career cluster necessary to meet state and regional workforce needs; and (B) identify: (i) any gaps between the industry-recognized credentials or certificates identified under Paragraph (A)(i) and the knowledge and skills identified under Paragraph (A)(ii); and (ii) any knowledge or skills that could be incorporated into career and technology education programs in the career cluster to increase students' marketability in that field after graduation from high school; and (2) for each currently offered industry-recognized credential or certificate, assess the economic impact of earning the credential or certificate, including: (A) the average industry wage for a student who has earned the credential or certificate; and (B) the demand to employ a student in the area for which the student has earned the credential or certificate. (c) Not later than September 1, 2021, the agency shall submit to the commissioner a report that: (1) identifies any currently offered industry-recognized credential or certificate that does not provide a sufficient positive economic impact based on the assessment conducted under Subsection (b)(2); and (2) recommends the creation of industry-recognized credentials or certificates to be offered in a career and technology education program that will address unmet workforce needs and enhance student competitiveness in the labor market. (d) This section expires September 1, 2022. SECTION 2. 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, 2019.