87R21727 TSS-D By: Dutton H.B. No. 3204 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3204: By: Dutton C.S.H.B. No. 3204 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the methods to achieve a college, career, or military outcomes bonus under the Foundation School Program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 48.110, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsections (f) and (h) and adding Subsection (j) to read as follows: (f) For purposes of this section, an annual graduate demonstrates: (1) college readiness if the annual graduate: (A) achieves college readiness standards used for accountability purposes under Chapter 39 on the ACT, the SAT, or an assessment instrument designated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under Section 51.334; and (B) during a time period established by commissioner rule, enrolls at a postsecondary educational institution; (2) career readiness if the annual graduate: (A) both: (i) achieves college readiness standards used for accountability purposes under Chapter 39 on the ACT, the SAT, or an assessment instrument designated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under Section 51.334; and (ii) [(B)] during a time period established by commissioner rule, earns an industry-accepted certificate; or (B) during a time period established by commissioner rule, is employed at or above a salary level equal to 150 percent of the median wage of jobs in this state, as determined by commissioner rule; and (3) military readiness if the annual graduate: (A) achieves a passing score set by the applicable military branch on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery; and (B) during a time period established by commissioner rule, enlists in the armed forces of the United States. (h) On application by a school district, the commissioner may allow annual graduates from the district to satisfy the requirement for demonstrating career readiness under Subsection (f)(2)(A)(ii) [(f)(2)(B)] by successfully completing a coherent sequence of courses required to obtain an industry-accepted certificate. The district must demonstrate in the application that the district is unable to provide sufficient courses or programs to enable students enrolled at the district to earn an industry-accepted certificate within the time period established by the commissioner under Subsection (f)(2)(A)(ii) [(f)(2)(B)]. The commissioner by rule shall provide the criteria required for an application under this subsection. (j) The commissioner shall adopt rules permitting a school district to award to an annual graduate who voluntarily reports the graduate's employment and salary information to the district a portion of the outcomes bonus to which the district is entitled for an annual graduate demonstrating career readiness under Subsection (f)(2)(B). SECTION 2. Section 48.1101(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The agency shall conduct a study on alternative career readiness measures for small and rural school districts to determine if annual graduates demonstrate career readiness under Section 48.110(f)(2)(A)(ii) [48.110(f)(2)(B)]. SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.