89R15108 RDR-D
By: Ashby H.B. No. 3672
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of an extracurricular community education
grant program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 29.251, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 29.251. DEFINITION [DEFINITIONS]. In this subchapter,
"community[:
[(4) "Community] education" means the process by which
the citizens in a school district, using the resources and
facilities of the district or an eligible organization, organize to
support each other and to solve their mutual educational problems
and meet their mutual lifelong needs. Community education may
include:
(1) [(A)] educational programs, including programs
relating to cultural awareness, parenting skills education and
parental involvement in school programs, and multilevel adult
education and personal growth;
(2) [(B)] community involvement programs, including
programs for community economic development, school volunteers,
partnerships between schools and businesses, coordination with
community agencies, school-age child care, family literacy, and
community use of facilities; and
(3) [(C)] programs for youth enrolled in schools,
including [programs for] dropout prevention and recovery programs,
drug-free school programs, school-age parenting programs, and
academic enhancement programs provided both during and outside of
regular school hours.
SECTION 2. Subchapter H, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.258 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.258. EXTRACURRICULAR COMMUNITY EDUCATION GRANT
PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "extracurricular community
education program" means a community education program for youth
enrolled in schools that is provided outside of regular school
hours, including programs provided after school or during the
summer.
(b) The commissioner shall establish a grant program to
assist eligible organizations with providing extracurricular
community education programs that promote learning and academic
enrichment and may include activities involving art, music,
community engagement, literacy, science, technology, engineering,
math, health, mental health, or recreation.
(c) The objectives of the grant program established by this
section are to:
(1) improve student academic performance by
increasing access to after-school and summer learning and
enrichment opportunities;
(2) reduce truancy by fostering student engagement in
learning and connections to the school and community;
(3) improve student mental health by identifying those
in need and providing early intervention to students and their
families;
(4) increase student access to protective factors that
promote healthy behaviors, attitudes, and relationships, including
access to connections with caring adults;
(5) encourage students to develop the skills and
behaviors necessary to become productive adults, including those
necessary to succeed in postsecondary education or career
opportunities; and
(6) establish community partnerships to ensure
equitable access to resources for students and their families.
(d) To be eligible for a grant under this section, an
organization that provides or seeks to provide an extracurricular
community education program must submit a grant application to the
agency that includes:
(1) an assessment of community needs and existing
program resources, including a description of the extent to which:
(A) students and their families were involved in
the determination of community needs; and
(B) the program addresses or will address the
identified needs;
(2) a description of the organization's relationship
with a public school that the students participating in the program
attend, if applicable;
(3) an analysis of the extent to which the program will
further the objectives described by Subsection (c);
(4) a plan for implementing educational strategies
consistent with industry best practices and for providing program
staff with access to professional development opportunities; and
(5) a description of the data the organization will
use to evaluate the impact of the program.
(e) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to
administer the grant program established by this section, including
rules to:
(1) establish a methodology for selecting among
eligible organizations that have applied under Subsection (d) to
receive grants that prioritizes:
(A) programs primarily serving historically
underserved students;
(B) organizations partnered or otherwise
collaborating with public schools that program participants
attend; and
(C) organizations providing a wide array of
services and activities to meet community needs and the objectives
described by Subsection (c); and
(2) monitor and evaluate the performance of grant
recipients, including assessing the effectiveness of a program in
meeting the objectives described by Subsection (c).
(f) To the extent practicable, the commissioner shall award
grants under this section:
(1) equitably among the geographic areas of the state,
including urban, rural, and suburban communities; and
(2) without regard to the grade level of students
served by a program.
(g) The agency shall provide program development assistance
to organizations that receive a grant under this section, including
professional development opportunities for program leaders and
guidance on educational strategies consistent with industry best
practices.
SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the commissioner of education shall establish the
extracurricular community education grant program under Section
29.258, Education Code, as added by this Act, and adopt all rules
necessary for the implementation of that section.
SECTION 4. 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, 2025.