S.B. No. 975

	AN ACT
	relating to the operation of dropout recovery programs by certain
	public junior colleges in partnership with school districts.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding
	Subchapter K to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER K. PUBLIC JUNIOR COLLEGE AND SCHOOL DISTRICT
	PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM TO PROVIDE DROPOUT RECOVERY
	Sec. 29.401.  APPLICABILITY. (a)  This subchapter applies
	only to a public junior college, as defined by Section 61.003,
	located in a county:
	(1)  with a population of 750,000 or more; and
	(2)  with less than 65 percent of the population 25
	years and older having graduated from high school, according to the
	most recent American Community Survey five-year estimates compiled
	by the United States Census Bureau.
	(b)  The application of this subchapter to a public junior
	college is not affected if, after the public junior college enters
	into a partnership and begins providing a dropout recovery program
	as provided by this subchapter, the county's demographics under
	Subsection (a)(2) change and the county no longer meets the
	requirements under Subsection (a)(2).
	(c)  This subchapter applies only to a school district with a
	dropout rate that is higher than 15 percent. The application of
	this subchapter to a district is not affected if, after the district
	enters into a partnership as provided by this subchapter, the
	district's dropout rate changes and the district no longer meets
	the requirements under this subsection.
	(d)  This section expires September 1, 2013.
	Sec. 29.402.  PARTNERSHIP. (a)  Beginning September 1,
	2012, a public junior college may enter into an articulation
	agreement to partner with one or more school districts located in
	the public junior college district to provide on the campus of the
	public junior college a dropout recovery program for students
	described by Subsection (b) to successfully complete and receive a
	diploma from a high school of the appropriate partnering school
	district.
	(b)  A person who is under 26 years of age is eligible to
	enroll in a dropout recovery program under this subchapter if the
	person:
	(1)  must complete not more than three course credits
	to complete the curriculum requirements for the minimum,
	recommended, or advanced high school program, as appropriate, for
	high school graduation; or
	(2)  has failed to perform satisfactorily on an
	end-of-course assessment instrument administered under Section
	39.023(c) or an assessment instrument administered under Section
	39.023(c) as that section existed before amendment by Chapter 1312
	(S.B. 1031), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007.
	(c)  A public junior college under this section shall:
	(1)  design a dropout recovery curriculum that includes
	career and technology education courses that lead to industry or
	career certification;
	(2)  integrate into the dropout recovery curriculum
	research-based strategies to assist students in becoming able
	academically to pursue postsecondary education, including:
	(A)  high quality, college readiness instruction
	with strong academic and social supports;
	(B)  secondary to postsecondary bridging that
	builds college readiness skills, provides a plan for college
	completion, and ensures transition counseling; and
	(C)  information concerning appropriate supports
	available in the first year of postsecondary enrollment to ensure
	postsecondary persistence and success, to the extent funds are
	available for the purpose;
	(3)  offer advanced academic and transition
	opportunities, including dual credit courses and college
	preparatory courses, such as advanced placement courses; and
	(4)  coordinate with each partnering school district to
	provide in the articulation agreement that the district retains
	accountability for student attendance, student completion of high
	school course requirements, and student performance on assessment
	instruments as necessary for the student to receive a diploma from a
	high school of the partnering school district.
	(d)  A dropout recovery program provided under this
	subchapter must comply with the requirements of Sections 29.081(e)
	and (f).
	Sec. 29.403.  FINANCING. (a)  A public junior college
	district may receive from each partnering school district for each
	student from that district enrolled in a dropout recovery program
	under this subchapter an amount negotiated between the junior
	college district and that partnering district not to exceed the
	total average per student funding amount in that district during
	the preceding school year for maintenance and operations, including
	state and local funding, but excluding money from the available
	school fund.
	(b)  A student who is enrolled in a program under this
	subchapter is included in determining the average daily attendance
	under Section 42.005 of the partnering school district.
	Sec. 29.404.  OTHER FUNDING. (a)  To the extent consistent
	with the General Appropriations Act, a public junior college under
	this subchapter is eligible to receive dropout prevention and
	intervention program funds appropriated to the agency.
	(b)  A public junior college under this subchapter may
	receive gifts, grants, and donations to use for the purposes of this
	subchapter.
	SECTION 2.  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, 2011.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 975 passed the Senate on
	May 11, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 975 passed the House on
	May 25, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 100, Nays 45, one
	present not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	Approved:
	______________________________
	Date
	______________________________
	Governor