By: Anchia H.B. No. 4589
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the provision of a quality and globally competitive
education as a mission of the public education system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 4.001, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 4.001. PUBLIC EDUCATION MISSION AND OBJECTIVES. (a)
The mission of the public education system of this state is to
ensure that all Texas children have access to a quality and globally
competitive education that enables them to achieve their potential
and fully participate now and in the future in the social, economic,
and educational opportunities of our state and nation. That mission
is grounded on the conviction that a general diffusion of knowledge
is essential for the welfare of this state and for the preservation
of the liberties and rights of citizens. It is further grounded on
the conviction that a successful public education system is
directly related to a strong, dedicated, and supportive family and
that parental involvement in the school is essential for the
maximum educational achievement of a child.
(b) The objectives of public education are:
OBJECTIVE 1: Parents will be full partners with educators in
the education of their children.
OBJECTIVE 2: Students will be encouraged and challenged to
meet their full educational potential.
OBJECTIVE 3: Through enhanced dropout prevention efforts,
all students will remain in school until they obtain a high school
diploma.
OBJECTIVE 4: A well-balanced and appropriate curriculum will
be provided to all students. Through that curriculum, students will
be prepared to succeed in a variety of postsecondary activities,
including employment and enrollment in institutions of higher
education.
OBJECTIVE 5: Educators will prepare students to be
thoughtful, active citizens who have an appreciation for the basic
values of our state and national heritage and who can understand and
productively function in a free enterprise society.
OBJECTIVE 6: Qualified and highly effective personnel will be
recruited, developed, and retained.
OBJECTIVE 7: The state's students will demonstrate exemplary
performance in comparison to national and international standards.
OBJECTIVE 8: School campuses will maintain a safe and
disciplined environment conducive to student learning.
OBJECTIVE 9: Educators will keep abreast of the development
of creative and innovative techniques in instruction and
administration using those techniques as appropriate to improve
student learning.
OBJECTIVE 10: Technology will be implemented and used to
increase the effectiveness of student learning, instructional
management, staff development, and administration.
OBJECTIVE 11: The State Board of Education, the agency, and
the commissioner shall assist school districts and charter schools
in providing career and technology education to students.
OBJECTIVE 12: After obtaining a high school diploma, students
will earn certificates or degrees from institutions of higher
education in order to compete globally and participate in the
dynamic economy of this state and nation.
SECTION 2. Section 4.0012, Texas Education Code, is hereby
added as follows:
Sec. 4.0012. PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS. (a) During
each regular legislative session, the legislature shall establish
quantifiable educational standards recommended by the Texas
Education Agency and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
that public schools must satisfy during each year of the applicable
biennium for the system of public free schools to remain globally
competitive. The standards take effect for the school year
beginning in the fall of the fifth year following the legislative
session in which the standards were established.
(b) The standards required by Subsection (a) of this section
may not be amended, revised, or repealed except by an affirmative
vote of two-thirds of the membership of each house of the
legislature.
SECTION 3. Section 4.0013, Texas Education Code, is hereby
added as follows:
Sec. 4.0013. (a) Notwithstanding Section 4.001(a) of this
Chapter, the system of public free schools is not required to be
globally competitive until the 2025-2026 school year.
(b) The standards established by the legislature during
each regular session as required by Section 4.0012(a) of this
chapter must include quantifiable requirements that, when
achieved, result in at least 60 percent of all state residents who
are older than 24 years of age and younger than 35 years of age
holding a certificate or degree from an institution of higher
education not later than 2030.
(d) This subsection expires January 1, 2031.
SECTION 4. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020
school year.
SECTION 5. 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.