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AN ACT
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relating to the Texas Workforce Innovation Needs Program; |
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authorizing a fee. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 29.922 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 29.922. TEXAS WORKFORCE INNOVATION NEEDS PROGRAM. (a) |
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In this section: |
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(1) "Private or independent institution of higher |
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education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. |
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(2) "Program" means the Texas Workforce Innovation |
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Needs Program. |
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(b) The Texas Workforce Innovation Needs Program is |
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established to: |
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(1) provide selected school districts, public |
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institutions of higher education, and private or independent |
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institutions of higher education with the opportunity to establish |
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innovative programs designed to prepare students for careers for |
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which there is demand in this state; and |
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(2) use the results of those programs to inform the |
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governor, legislature, and commissioner concerning methods for |
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transforming public education and higher education in this state by |
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improving student learning and career preparedness. |
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(c) To apply to participate in the program, a school |
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district, public institution of higher education, or private or |
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independent institution of higher education must use the form and |
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apply in the time and manner established by commissioner rule. The |
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application process must require each applicant district or |
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institution of higher education to submit a detailed plan as |
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required by Subsections (d) and (e) of the instruction and |
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accountability the applicant would provide under the program. |
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(d) A plan submitted under Subsection (c): |
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(1) must: |
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(A) be designed to support improved instruction |
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of and learning by students and provide evidence of the accurate |
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assessment of the quality of learning on campus; |
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(B) describe any waiver of an applicable |
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prohibition, requirement, or restriction for which the district or |
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institution of higher education intends to apply; and |
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(C) include any other information required by |
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commissioner rule; and |
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(2) may, if submitted by a school district, designate |
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one or more campuses rather than the entire district to participate |
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in the program. |
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(e) In addition to satisfying the requirements under |
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Subsection (d)(1), a plan submitted under Subsection (c) must, to |
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the greatest extent appropriate for the grade or higher education |
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levels served under the program, either: |
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(1) focus on engagement of students in |
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competency-based learning as necessary to earn postsecondary |
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credentials, including: |
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(A) career and technical certificates; |
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(B) associate's degrees; |
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(C) bachelor's degrees; and |
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(D) graduate degrees; or |
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(2) incorporate career and technical courses into dual |
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enrollment courses or into the early college education program |
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under Section 29.908 to provide students the opportunity to earn a |
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career or technical certificate or associate's degree. |
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(f) From among the school districts and institutions of |
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higher education that apply as required under this section, the |
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commissioner shall select those school districts and institutions |
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of higher education that present the plans that are most likely to |
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be effective in producing the next generation of higher performing |
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public schools and institutions of higher education that provide |
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education and training in an innovative form and manner to prepare |
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students for careers for which there is demand in this state. |
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(g) The commissioner shall convene program leaders |
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periodically to discuss methods to transform learning |
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opportunities for all students, build cross-institution support |
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systems and training, and share best practices tools and processes. |
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(h) A school district or institution of higher education |
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participating in the program or the commissioner may, for purposes |
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of this section, accept gifts, grants, or donations from any |
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source, including a private or governmental entity. |
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(i) To cover the costs of administering the program, the |
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commissioner may charge a fee to a school district or institution of |
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higher education participating in the program. |
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(j) In consultation with interested school districts, |
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institutions of higher education, and other appropriate interested |
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persons, the commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary for |
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purposes of this section. |
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(k) Not later than December 1, 2014, and not later than |
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December 1, 2016, with the assistance of school districts and |
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institutions of higher education participating in the program, the |
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commissioner shall submit to the governor and the legislature |
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reports concerning the performance and progress of the program |
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participants. The report submitted not later than December 1, |
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2014, must include any recommendation by the commissioner |
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concerning legislative authorization necessary for the |
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commissioner to waive a prohibition, requirement, or restriction |
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that applies to a program participant and other school district or |
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institution of higher education interested in beginning a similar |
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program. To prepare for implementation of a commissioner waiver, |
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the commissioner shall seek any necessary federal waiver. This |
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subsection expires January 1, 2020. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3662 was passed by the House on May 2, |
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2013, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, 2 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3662 was passed by the Senate on May |
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22, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |