By: Longoria H.B. No. 4631       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of the Opportunity High School Diploma   pilot program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding   Subchapter K-1 to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER K-1.  OPPORTUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA PILOT PROGRAM          Sec. 29.405.  PURPOSE. It is the intent of the legislature   to study alternative means by which an adult student who enrolls in   a workforce education program at a public junior college and who has   previously dropped out of secondary education may earn a high   school diploma from a public junior college through a   competency-based educational program that enables the student to   demonstrate knowledge substantially equivalent to what is required   for a Foundation High School Diploma.  The Texas Higher Education   Coordinating Board shall consult with the Texas Education Agency   and Texas Workforce Commission during the development and   implementation of this pilot program.          Sec. 29.406.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:          (1)  "Opportunity High School Diploma" means a diploma   awarded by a public junior college approved by the Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board under this subchapter.          (2)  "Board" means the Texas Higher Education Coordinating    Board.          (3)  "Eligible student" means any student age 18 or older who   has been, or would have been, recorded as a dropout in the Texas   public education system or has not otherwise earned a GED or diploma   from a Texas public school or through any other secondary    education.          (4)  "Participating institution" means a public junior   college authorized by the board, either alone or as part of a   consortium of institutions, to offer a program under this   subchapter.          (5)  "Substantially equivalent" means the provision by a   participating institution of higher education of any combination of   instruction, curriculum, achievement, internship opportunities, or   other means by which the board determines that an educational   program under this subchapter may appropriately certify that a   student has attained levels of knowledge sufficient to adequately   prepare a student for postsecondary education or additional    workforce education.          Sec. 29.407.  OPPORTUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. (a)  The   board may approve not more than five public junior colleges to   participate as lead institutions for a pilot program to offer an   alternative competency-based high school diploma program for adult   learners.          (b)  The board shall review and approve a proposed program   requested by a public junior college, if the board determines that   the public junior college's proposed program will provide   instruction and assessments appropriate to certify that a student   can demonstrate levels of knowledge sufficient to adequately   prepare a student for postsecondary education or additional   workforce education.          (c)  Each approved public junior college program shall   concurrently enroll an eligible student in a workforce education   program and the Opportunity High School Diploma program to allow   the student to earn a high school diploma while completing a   postsecondary certificate or degree.          (d)  Each approved public junior college program shall   administer assessments as prescribed by Board rule prior to award   of an Opportunity High School Diploma.          (e)  A diploma under this section shall be considered   equivalent to a Foundation High School Diploma.          Sec. 29.408.  APPROVAL. (a)  The board may approve not more   than five public junior college programs to offer the Opportunity   High School Diploma under this subchapter.          (b)  A public junior college that submits a proposed program   under this subchapter may enter into an agreement with one or more   public junior colleges, general academic teaching institutions,   public school districts, or nonprofit organizations to offer a   program.          (c)  Upon board approval, a public junior college or colleges   may offer an approved program at any campus of the applicant or   partnering institution.          Sec. 29.409.  FUNDING. (a)  The Texas Workforce Commission   and the board shall work jointly to identify funding mechanisms,   including grants, interagency contracts, financial aid, or   subsidies available to public junior colleges and students to   encourage and facilitate adult dropouts in earning the Opportunity   High School Diploma.          (b)  A public junior college that offers an Opportunity High   School Diploma under this subchapter shall be entitled to funding   in the community college finance system, as determined by the    board.          Sec. 29.410.  RULE MAKING AND IMPLEMENTATION. (a)  The board   shall adopt rules to implement this subchapter as necessary.          (b)  The board may coordinate with the Texas Education Agency   as necessary to determine whether a proposed program offering an   Opportunity High School Diploma is sufficient to adequately prepare   a student for postsecondary education or additional workforce   education.          SECTION 2.  Chapter 130, Education Code, is amended by   adding Section 130.0082 to read as follows:          Sec. 130.0082.  PILOT PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS FOR   RECOVERED DROPOUTS IN PUBLIC JUNIOR COLLEGES. A public junior   college may apply to the board to offer an Opportunity High School   Diploma program in accordance with subchapter K-1, Chapter 29,   Texas Education Code.          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.