88R13694 AMF-F
By: Dutton H.B. No. 4410
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a Texas Commission on High School
Outcomes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "commission" means the
Texas Commission on High School Outcomes.
SECTION 2. TEXAS COMMISSION ON HIGH SCHOOL OUTCOMES. (a)
The commission is established to develop and make recommendations
for improvements to the current public high school structure or
practices to improve the college, career, or military readiness of
students.
(b) The commission is composed of 16 members, consisting of:
(1) seven members appointed by the governor;
(2) four members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(3) four members appointed by the speaker of the house
of representatives; and
(4) a member of the State Board of Education, as
designated by the chair of that board.
(c) The members appointed by the governor must have an
interest in public education and include at least:
(1) one person who is a current or retired classroom
teacher with at least 10 years of teaching experience;
(2) one person who is a member of the business or civic
community in North Texas;
(3) one person who is a member of the business or civic
community in West Texas; and
(4) one person who is a member of the business or civic
community in South Texas.
(d) The appointments made by the lieutenant governor and the
speaker of the house of representatives must each consist of:
(1) three members of the applicable legislative
chamber; and
(2) an administrator for a public school or a member of
the board of trustees of a school district.
(e) In making appointments under Subsections (b)(1), (2),
and (3) of this section, the governor, lieutenant governor, and
speaker of the house of representatives shall coordinate to ensure
that the membership of the commission reflects, to the extent
possible, the ethnic and geographic diversity of this state.
(f) The governor shall designate the presiding officer of
the commission.
SECTION 3. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. A member of the
commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the
commission but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and
necessary expenses incurred in performing commission duties.
SECTION 4. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND FUNDING. (a) The
Texas Education Agency shall provide administrative support for the
commission.
(b) Funding for the administrative and operational expenses
of the commission shall be provided by legislative appropriation
made to the Texas Education Agency for that purpose.
SECTION 5. STUDY AND RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) The commission
shall study and develop recommendations under this Act to address
issues related to the college, career, and military readiness of
public high school students in this state, including:
(1) the purpose and role of public high schools in
preparing students for the modern economy;
(2) the postsecondary preferences of students and
young adults and the ways public high schools can be adapted to
support those preferences;
(3) changes that could be made to current high school
graduation requirements to improve student postsecondary outcomes
and better reflect the needs of the modern economy;
(4) changes that could be made to the current public
school finance system to:
(A) equip and encourage public schools to adopt
innovative educational models and career and technology programs;
and
(B) support the improvement of postsecondary
outcomes;
(5) barriers to implementing innovative programs of
study or courses, including career-focused or technical programs or
courses, that support students in achieving postsecondary success;
and
(6) the state's current approach to industry
certifications and whether students are being offered credentials
of value that will lead to high-wage, high-demand jobs.
(b) The commission may establish one or more working groups
composed of not more than six members of the commission to study,
discuss, and address specific policy issues and recommendations to
refer to the commission for consideration.
SECTION 6. REPORT. Not later than December 31, 2024, the
commission shall prepare and deliver a report to the governor and
the legislature that recommends statutory changes to improve
outcomes for public high school students and ensure every student
is prepared for college, a career, or military service immediately
upon graduation.
SECTION 7. PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) The
commission may hold public meetings as needed to fulfill its duties
under this Act.
(b) The commission is subject to Chapters 551 and 552,
Government Code.
SECTION 8. COMMISSION ABOLISHED. The commission is
abolished January 1, 2025.
SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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.