88R9590 AMF-D
By: A. Johnson of Harris H.B. No. 4064
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an earth, environment, and planetary sciences pilot
program in the Houston Independent School District.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.935 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.935. EARTH, ENVIRONMENT, AND PLANETARY SCIENCES
PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "pilot program" means the
earth, environment, and planetary sciences program offered by the
Houston Independent School District.
(b) The Houston Independent School District shall, in
collaboration with Rice University, establish and implement a pilot
program that uses local institutions and resources, including the
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, the Houston Museum of Natural
Science, and the Lunar and Planetary Institute to encourage student
engagement in earth, environment, and planetary sciences and foster
connections for students interested in careers in those and related
fields of study.
(c) The program may include:
(1) a student outreach program to train graduate and
undergraduate students in earth, environment, and planetary
sciences and related fields of study on effective communication and
teaching strategies in preparation for leading Houston Independent
School District students in age-appropriate lessons and activities
involving current scientific research;
(2) professional development for Houston Independent
School District teachers that provides strategies and resources for
teaching earth, environment, and planetary sciences content;
(3) career information sessions for Houston
Independent School District students that are hosted by Rice
University graduate students, faculty, and alumni working in the
earth, environment, and planetary sciences and related fields of
study;
(4) community events, field trips, and summer
programming for Houston Independent School District students and
their families to explore developments in earth, environment, and
planetary sciences and related fields of study through hands-on
learning activities; and
(5) summer research internship opportunities for
rising juniors and seniors enrolled in Houston Independent School
District.
(d) Not later than September 1, 2025, the board of trustees
of the Houston Independent School District shall prepare and
deliver to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of
the house of representatives, and the presiding officer of each
legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over
primary and secondary education a report that evaluates the
effectiveness of the pilot program. The report must include the
district's recommendations regarding whether the pilot program
should be continued, expanded, or terminated.
(e) This section expires September 1, 2025.
SECTION 2. The Houston Independent School District shall
establish the pilot program under Section 29.935, Education Code,
as added by this Act, as soon as practicable following the effective
date of this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2023.