By: Bell of Kaufman, et al. H.B. No. 120         (Senate Sponsor - Schwertner)          (In the Senate - Received from the House April 16, 2025;   April 23, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on   Education K-16; May 20, 2025, reported adversely, with favorable   Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 11, Nays 0;   May 20, 2025, sent to printer.)Click here to see the committee vote     COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 120 By:  Hagenbuch     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT     relating to college, career, and military readiness in public   schools, including career and technology education programs, the   Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program, and the Rural   Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) program, funding for those   programs under the Foundation School Program, and workforce   reporting to support those programs, to the public school   accountability system, and to the new instructional facility   allotment and the permissible uses of funding under the Foundation   School Program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 4.002, Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 4.002.  PUBLIC EDUCATION ACADEMIC GOALS.  To serve as a   foundation for a well-balanced and appropriate education:                GOAL 1:  The students in the public education system   will demonstrate exemplary performance in the reading and writing   of the English language.                GOAL 2:  The students in the public education system   will demonstrate exemplary performance in the understanding of   mathematics.                GOAL 3:  The students in the public education system   will demonstrate exemplary performance in the understanding of   science.                GOAL 4:  The students in the public education system   will demonstrate exemplary performance in the understanding of   social studies.                GOAL 5: The students who graduate high school in the   public education system will have the skills and credentials   necessary to immediately enter this state's workforce.                GOAL 6: The students who graduate high school in the   public education system and who elect to pursue postsecondary   education will be ready for postsecondary coursework without the   need for remediation.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 7, Education Code, is   amended by adding Sections 7.0405 and 7.043 to read as follows:          Sec. 7.0405.  POSTING OF POSTSECONDARY OUTCOMES. (a)   Subject to Subsection (b), the agency shall post on the agency's   Internet website the following de-identified data, disaggregated   by school district or open-enrollment charter school, high school   campus, and annual cohort for the 10 most recent annual cohorts:                (1)  for students who graduate from high school:                      (A)  the number and percentage of students who   enroll in, enroll in remedial postsecondary coursework as part of,   persist for at least one year in, or complete a postsecondary   degree, certificate, or other credentialing program, disaggregated   by program and postsecondary educational institution; and                      (B)  employment status, occupation, industry,   wage, and county of employment and residence, as reported under   Section 204.0025, Labor Code; and                (2)  for students who did not graduate from high   school:                      (A)  the highest grade level completed;                      (B)  the number of uncompleted credits required   for the student to graduate;                      (C)  employment status, occupation, industry,   wage, and county of employment and residence, as reported under   Section 204.0025, Labor Code; and                      (D)  whether the student has earned a high school   equivalency certificate.          (b)  The agency shall post the data required under Subsection   (a) in a manner that complies with the Family Educational Rights and   Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g) and may, if necessary   to comply with that act, create a private portal for school district   board of trustees or open-enrollment charter school governing body   members, school administrators, and school counselors at a high   school to access data for the member's, administrator's, or   counselor's school district or open-enrollment charter school.          (c)  The agency shall ensure the data posted under Subsection   (a) is made available to:                (1)  school district board of trustees and   open-enrollment charter school governing body members and   superintendents to assist in adopting college, career, and military   readiness plans under Section 11.186; and                (2)  school counselors at a high school to assist the   counselors in performing the duties under Section 33.007.          Sec. 7.043.  STATEWIDE GOAL FOR CAREER READINESS. (a) Using   the data posted under Section 7.0405(a), the agency shall create a   quantifiable statewide goal for public school students to achieve   career readiness, including by attaining a workforce-aligned   credential while in high school.          (b)  The agency shall update the goal created under   Subsection (a) at least once every five years.          SECTION 3.  Section 11.186, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsections (d), (e),   and (f) to read as follows:          (b)  Each plan adopted under Subsection (a) must:                (1)  identify annual goals for students in each group   evaluated under the closing the gaps domain under Section   39.053(c)(3);                (2)  include an annual goal [goals] for aggregate   student growth on each college, career, and military readiness   indicator [indicators] evaluated under the student achievement   domain under Section 39.053(c)(1);                (3)  include specific annual goals for student   completion of postsecondary credentials, including industry-based   credentials, level one or level two certificates as defined by the   agency, and associate degrees, while enrolled in high school;                (4)  include annual goals for the outcomes of the   district's annual graduates at one, three, and five years after   graduation from high school, including goals for:                      (A)  the rate of enrollment at a postsecondary   educational institution;                      (B)  the percentage of graduates who enroll at a   postsecondary educational institution and do not require remedial   postsecondary coursework;                      (C)  the rate of persistence at a postsecondary   educational institution in each of the first two years of   enrollment;                      (D)  the rate of completion of a postsecondary   degree, certificate, or other credentialing program; and                      (E)  wages earned;                (5)  assign at least one district-level administrator   or employee of the regional education service center for the   district's region to:                      (A)  coordinate implementation of the plan; and                      (B)  submit an annual report to the board of   trustees, the agency, and the Legislative Budget Board on the   district's performance and progress toward the goals set under the   plan; and                (6) [(4)]  be reviewed and approved by majority vote   annually by the board of trustees at a public meeting.          (c)  In identifying and including goals in each plan adopted   under Subsection (a) as provided by Subsection (b), the board of   trustees shall use longitudinal student outcomes data posted under   Section 7.0405(a) and any other resources available to the board.          (d)  A school district shall post the annual report described   by Subsection (b)(5)(B) [(b)(3)(B)] on the district's Internet   website and on the Internet website, if any, of each campus in the   district not later than two weeks before the date of the public   meeting at which the report is reviewed and approved as required by   Subsection (b)(6).  The district shall update the annual report on   each Internet website if any modifications are made to the report by   the board of trustees.          (e)  The commissioner by rule shall establish a deadline for   the submission of the annual reports described by Subsection   (b)(5)(B). The agency shall compile and make publicly accessible on   the agency's Internet website the annual reports.          (f)  The agency may evaluate the goals identified or included   in an annual report described by Subsection (b)(5)(B) to determine   whether those goals align with state secondary, postsecondary, and   workforce goals.          SECTION 4.  Section 28.0095, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:          (c-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (c)(1)(A), a student   otherwise described by Subsection (c) is eligible to enroll at no   cost in a dual credit course under the program if the student has   graduated from high school but is:                (1)  enrolled in a school district or open-enrollment   charter school at a campus designated as a P-TECH school under   Section 29.556 or in a school district participating in a   partnership under Section 29.912; and                (2)  completing a course of study offered through an   articulation agreement or memorandum of understanding with an   institution of higher education and the district or school   described by Subdivision (1), as applicable, under the Pathways in   Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program under   Subchapter N, Chapter 29, or the Rural Pathway Excellence   Partnership (R-PEP) program under Section 29.912.          SECTION 5.  Section 29.182(b), Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (b)  The state plan must include procedures designed to   ensure that:                (1)  all secondary and postsecondary students have the   opportunity to participate in career and technology education   programs;                (2)  the state complies with requirements for   supplemental federal career and technology education funding;                (3)  career and technology education is established as   a part of the total education system of this state and constitutes   an option for student learning that provides a rigorous course of   study consistent with the required curriculum under Section 28.002   and under which a student may receive specific education in a career   and technology program that:                      (A)  incorporates competencies leading to   academic and technical skill attainment;                      (B)  leads to:                            (i)  an industry-recognized license,   credential, or certificate; or                            (ii)  at the postsecondary level, an   associate or baccalaureate degree;                      (C)  includes opportunities for students to earn   college credit for coursework; and                      (D)  includes, as an integral part of the program,   participation by students and teachers in activities of career and   technical student organizations supported by the agency and the   State Board of Education; [and]                (4)  a school district provides, to the greatest extent   possible, to a student participating in a career and technology   education program opportunities to enroll in dual credit courses   designed to lead to a degree, license, or certification as part of   the program; and                (5)  a course of study offered under a Junior Reserve   Officers' Training Corps program established under 10 U.S.C.   Section 2031 is considered a career and technology education   program.          SECTION 6.  Sections 29.190(a-1), (b), and (c), Education   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (a-1)  A student may not receive more than two subsidies [one   subsidy] under this section.          (b)  A teacher is entitled to a subsidy under this section if   the teacher passes a certification examination related to career   and technology education [cybersecurity].          (c)  On approval by the commissioner, the agency shall pay   each school district an amount equal to the cost paid by the   district for a certification examination under this section,   including any costs paid for associated fingerprinting or criminal   history record information review.  To obtain reimbursement for a   subsidy paid under this section, a district must:                (1)  pay the costs described by this subsection [fee   for the examination]; and                (2)  submit to the commissioner a written application   on a form prescribed by the commissioner stating the amount of the   costs [fee] paid under Subdivision (1) [for the certification   examination].          SECTION 7.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.9016 to read as follows:          Sec. 29.9016.  MILITARY PATHWAY GRANT PROGRAM. (a)  The   agency shall establish a grant program to provide money to school   districts to implement a program under which the district:                (1)  establishes a Junior Reserve Officers' Training   Corps program under 10 U.S.C. Section 2031 for students enrolled in   high school in the district;                (2)  annually administers the Armed Services   Vocational Aptitude Battery test to each student participating in   the program described by Subdivision (1); and                (3)  provides college and career counseling at least   once per year to each student administered the Armed Services   Vocational Aptitude Battery test under Subdivision (2) based on the   results of the test.          (b)  The amount of each grant awarded under the grant program   is $50,000.          (c)  The total amount of grants awarded under the grant   program for a school year may not exceed $2 million.          SECTION 8.  Section 29.912, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c-1) and amending Subsection (j) to read as   follows:          (c-1)  A school district that has participated in the program   may continue to participate in the program regardless of the number   of students in average daily attendance in the district for the   current school year.          (j)  The commissioner shall make grants available for use by   a coordinating entity for a two-year period to assist with costs   associated with the planning, development, establishment, or   expansion, as applicable, of partnerships under the program using   [a portion of state funds allocated under Section 48.118 as well as]   money appropriated for that purpose, federal funds, and any other   funds available.  The commissioner may award a grant only to a   coordinating entity that has entered into a performance agreement   approved under Subsection (i) or, if in the planning stage, has   entered into a memorandum of understanding to enter into a   performance agreement, unless the source of funds does not permit a   grant to the coordinating entity, in which case the grant shall be   made to a participating school district acting as fiscal agent.   Eligible use of grant funds shall include planning, development,   establishment, or expansion of partnerships under the program.  The   commissioner may use not more than 15 percent of the money allocated   for the grants to cover the cost of administering grants awarded   under the program and to provide technical assistance and support   to partnerships under the program.  The total amount of grants   awarded under this subsection for a school year may not exceed $5   million.          SECTION 9.  Section 33.007, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (d) to read as   follows:          (b)  During the first school year a student is enrolled in a   high school or at the high school level in an open-enrollment   charter school, and again during each year of a student's   enrollment in high school or at the high school level, a school   counselor shall provide information about postsecondary education   to the student and the student's parent or guardian.  The   information must include information regarding:                (1)  the importance of postsecondary education,   including career readiness and workforce training opportunities;                (2)  the advantages of earning an endorsement and a   performance acknowledgment and completing the distinguished level   of achievement under the foundation high school program under   Section 28.025;                (3)  the disadvantages of taking courses to prepare for   a high school equivalency examination relative to the benefits of   taking courses leading to a high school diploma;                (4)  financial aid eligibility;                (5)  instruction on how to apply for federal financial   aid;                (6)  the center for financial aid information   established under Section 61.0776;                (7)  the automatic admission of certain students to   general academic teaching institutions as provided by Section   51.803;                (8)  the eligibility and academic performance   requirements for the TEXAS Grant as provided by Subchapter M,   Chapter 56;                (9)  the availability of programs in the district under   which a student may earn college credit, including advanced   placement programs, dual credit programs, joint high school and   college credit programs, and international baccalaureate programs;                (10)  the availability of education and training   vouchers and tuition and fee waivers to attend an institution of   higher education as provided by Section 54.366 for a student who is   or was previously in the conservatorship of the Department of   Family and Protective Services; [and]                (11)  the availability of college credit awarded by   institutions of higher education to veterans and military   servicemembers for military experience, education, and training   obtained during military service as described by the informational   materials developed under Section 302.0031(h), Labor Code;                (12)  opportunities to complete career training and   obtain a postsecondary credential while enrolled in high school,   whether at the student's campus, another campus in the school   district or open-enrollment charter school, or an educational   institution that partners with the district or school, including   information regarding program costs, program completion rates, and   the average wages of students who complete the program; and                (13)  the outcomes of graduates from the campus and   school district or open-enrollment charter school in which the   student is enrolled, including completion rates and average wages   based on postsecondary pathways available to those graduates at the   campus, district, or school using data posted under Section   7.0405(a).          (d)  The agency shall make available to school counselors an   annual online training regarding statewide trends identified in the   data posted under Section 7.0405(a). The training must include   information to assist school counselors in identifying the   postsecondary outcomes for students at the counselor's campus and   school district or open-enrollment charter school for purposes of   performing the counselor's duties under this section.          SECTION 10.  The heading to Section 39.0261, Education Code,   is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 39.0261.  COLLEGE PREPARATION AND CAREER READINESS   ASSESSMENTS.          SECTION 11.  Section 39.0261(a), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  In addition to the assessment instruments otherwise   authorized or required by this subchapter:                (1)  each school year and at state cost, a school   district may administer to students in the spring of the eighth   grade an established, valid, reliable, and nationally   norm-referenced preliminary college preparation assessment   instrument for the purpose of diagnosing the academic strengths and   deficiencies of students before entrance into high school;                (2)  each school year and at state cost, a school   district may administer to students in the 10th grade an   established, valid, reliable, and nationally norm-referenced   preliminary college preparation assessment instrument for the   purpose of measuring a student's progress toward readiness for   college and the workplace; and                (3)  high school students in the spring of the 11th   grade or during the 12th grade may select and take once, at state   cost:                      (A)  one of the valid, reliable, and nationally   norm-referenced assessment instruments used by colleges and   universities as part of their undergraduate admissions processes;   [or]                      (B)  the assessment instrument designated by the   Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under Section 51.334; or                      (C)  a nationally recognized career readiness   assessment instrument that measures foundational workforce skills   approved by commissioner rule.          SECTION 12.  Section 39.053, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a), (c), and (f) and adding Subsections   (c-4), (f-1), (f-2), (f-3), and (f-4) to read as follows:          (a)  The commissioner shall adopt a set of indicators of the   quality of learning and achievement, including the indicators under   Subsection (c). The commissioner periodically shall review the   indicators for the consideration of appropriate revisions and may,   if the commissioner determines an indicator otherwise required   under this subchapter is not valid or reliable, exclude the   indicator from the set of indicators adopted under this section.          (c)  School districts and campuses must be evaluated based on   three domains of indicators of achievement adopted under this   section that include:                (1)  in the student achievement domain, indicators of   student achievement that must include:                      (A)  for evaluating the performance of districts   and campuses generally:                            (i)  an indicator that accounts for the   results of assessment instruments required under Sections   39.023(a), (c), and (l), as applicable for the district and campus,   including the results of assessment instruments required for   graduation retaken by a student, aggregated across grade levels by   subject area, including:                                  (a)  for the performance standard   determined by the commissioner under Section 39.0241(a), the   percentage of students who performed satisfactorily on the   assessment instruments, aggregated across grade levels by subject   area; and                                  (b)  for the college readiness   performance standard as determined under Section 39.0241, the   percentage of students who performed satisfactorily on the   assessment instruments, aggregated across grade levels by subject   area; and                            (ii)  an indicator that accounts for the   results of assessment instruments required under Section   39.023(b), as applicable for the district and campus, including the   percentage of students who performed satisfactorily on the   assessment instruments, as determined by the performance standard   adopted by the agency, aggregated across grade levels by subject   area; and                      (B)  for evaluating the performance of high school   campuses and districts that include high school campuses,   indicators that account for:                            (i)  students who satisfy the Texas Success   Initiative (TSI) college readiness benchmarks prescribed by the   Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under Section 51.334 on   an assessment instrument in reading or mathematics designated by   the coordinating board under that section;                            (ii)  students who satisfy relevant   performance standards on advanced placement tests or similar   assessments;                            (iii)  students who earn dual course credits   in the dual credit courses;                            (iv)  students who demonstrate military   readiness:                                  (a)  through verified enlistment   [enlist] in the armed forces of the United States or the Texas   National Guard; or                                  (b)  by achieving a passing score set   by the commissioner on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude   Battery Test and successfully completing a Junior Reserve Officers'   Training Corps program established under 10 U.S.C. Section 2031;                            (v)  students who earn industry   certifications;                            (vi)  students admitted into postsecondary   industry certification programs that require as a prerequisite for   entrance successful performance at the secondary level;                            (vii)  students whose successful completion   of a course or courses under Section 28.014 indicates the student's   preparation to enroll and succeed, without remediation, in an   entry-level general education course for a baccalaureate degree or   associate degree;                            (viii)  students who successfully met   standards on a composite of indicators that through research   indicates the student's preparation to enroll and succeed, without   remediation, in an entry-level general education course for a   baccalaureate degree or associate degree;                            (ix)  high school graduation rates, computed   in accordance with standards and definitions adopted in compliance   with the Every Student Succeeds Act (20 U.S.C. Section 6301 et seq.)   subject to the exclusions provided by Subsections (g), (g-1),   (g-2), (g-3), and (g-4);                            (x)  students who successfully completed an   OnRamps dual enrollment course;                            (xi)  students who successfully completed a   practicum or internship approved by the State Board of Education;                            (xii)  students who are awarded an associate   degree; and                            (xiii)  students who successfully completed   a program of study in career and technical education;                (2)  in the school progress domain, indicators for   effectiveness in promoting student learning, which must include:                      (A)  for assessment instruments, including   assessment instruments under Subdivisions (1)(A)(i) and (ii), the   percentage of students who met the standard for improvement, as   determined by the commissioner; and                      (B)  for evaluating relative performance, the   performance of districts and campuses compared to similar districts   or campuses; and                (3)  in the closing the gaps domain, the use of   disaggregated data to demonstrate the differentials among students   from different racial and ethnic groups, socioeconomic   backgrounds, and other factors, including:                      (A)  students formerly receiving special   education services;                      (B)  students continuously enrolled; and                      (C)  students who are mobile.          (c-4)  The agency shall study the college, career, and   military readiness indicators adopted under Subsection (c) to   determine the correlation of each indicator with postsecondary   success, including the correlation of industry certifications with   wages and available jobs. The value assigned to each indicator must   be:                (1)  based on the strength of the indicator's   correlation with successful outcomes; and                (2)  updated in accordance with Subsection (f-1).          (f)  Annually, the commissioner shall define and may modify   the state standards [standard for the current school year] for each   [achievement] indicator adopted under this subchapter in   [section.  In] consultation with educators, parents, and business   and industry representatives, as necessary. The [, the]   commissioner shall increase the rigor by which the commissioner   determines the overall performance ratings under Section 39.054(a)   [establish and modify standards] to continuously improve student   performance to, not later than the 15th year after the date the   commissioner modifies the performance standards under Subsection   (f-1), achieve the goals of:                (1)  eliminating achievement gaps based on race,   ethnicity, and socioeconomic status; and                (2)  ensuring [to ensure] this state ranks nationally   [is a national leader] in the top five states in preparing students   for postsecondary success and on the National Assessment of   Educational Progress or its successor assessment.          (f-1)  Beginning with the indicators adopted for the   2027-2028 school year and as required to meet the goals under   Subsection (f), the commissioner shall increase the scores needed   to achieve performance standards on indicators adopted under this   subchapter only every fifth school year unless an indicator adopted   under Subsection (c) requires adjustment before that school year to   ensure consistency of performance standards.          (f-2)  To the extent practicable, for each of the two school   years preceding a school year the commissioner increases a score   under Subsection (f-1), the commissioner shall report, in a manner   that can be reviewed by school administrators, the overall   performance of school districts and campuses under that increased   score.          (f-3)  In reporting the performance of school districts and   campuses on indicators adopted under this subchapter for a school   year in which the score needed to achieve performance standards on   one or more of those indicators was increased under Subsection   (f-1), the commissioner shall include in the report an   informational report on the performance of districts and campuses   during the preceding school year under the increased score.          (f-4)  Notwithstanding Subsection (f), the commissioner may   define state standards for an indicator adopted under this   subchapter for multiple school years provided that the commissioner   annually affirms that those standards are applicable to the current   school year.  The commissioner is not required to adopt the   affirmation described by this subsection by rule.          SECTION 13.  Subchapter C, Chapter 39, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 39.0531 to read as follows:          Sec. 39.0531.  INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION LIST.  (a)  The agency   shall maintain a list of industry certifications that are eligible   for purposes of Section 39.053(c)(1)(B)(v). In developing the   list, the agency shall consider the inventory of   industry-recognized certifications developed under Section   312.003, Labor Code.  The certifications must:                (1)  be aligned to a program of study that, according to   labor market data, prepares students for high-wage, high-skill,   in-demand occupations;                (2)  allow students to demonstrate mastery of the   skills required for occupations within an approved program of   study; and                (3)  be obtained through an assessment of the knowledge   and skills provided by or determined by an independent, third-party   certifying entity using predetermined standards for knowledge,   skills, and competencies.          (b)  The agency shall review the eligibility of industry   certifications under Subsection (a), including whether the   programs of study for those certifications still meet the   requirements under that subsection:                (1)  in consultation with the advisory council   established under Chapter 312, Labor Code; and                (2)  to the extent practicable, concurrently with the   modification of performance standards under Section 39.053(f-1).          (c)  If, after reviewing an industry certification under   Subsection (b), the agency determines the certification is no   longer eligible for purposes of Section 39.053(c)(1)(B)(v) and   should be removed from the list maintained under Subsection (a),   the agency shall, to the extent practicable, post on the agency's   Internet website information regarding the removal of the   certification not later than two years before the date the agency   intends to remove the certification from the list.          (d)  During the three years following an agency's   determination under Subsection (c) that an industry certification   is no longer eligible for purposes of Section 39.053(c)(1)(B)(v), a   school district may receive the benefit of achievement indicators   based on that industry certification for purposes of Section   39.053(c) only for a cohort of students who:                (1)  were participating in the program of study aligned   with that certification during the school year the agency   determines the certification is no longer eligible; and                (2)   earn the certification within the three-year   period.          SECTION 14.  Section 45.105(c), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  Local school funds from district taxes, tuition fees of   students not entitled to a free education, other local sources, and   state funds not designated for a specific purpose may be used for   the purposes listed for state and county available funds and for   purchasing appliances and supplies, paying insurance premiums,   paying janitors and other employees, buying school sites, buying,   building, repairing, and renting school buildings, including   acquiring school buildings and sites by leasing through annual   payments with an ultimate option to purchase, providing advising   support as described by Section 48.0035(1), and educating students   as described by Section 48.0035(2), and, except as provided by   Subsection (c-1), for other purposes necessary in the conduct of   the public schools determined by the board of trustees. The   accounts and vouchers for county districts must be approved by the   county superintendent. If the state available school fund in any   municipality or district is sufficient to maintain the schools in   any year for at least eight months and leave a surplus, the surplus   may be spent for the purposes listed in this subsection.          SECTION 15.  Subchapter A, Chapter 48, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 48.0035 to read as follows:          Sec. 48.0035.  USE OF FUNDING FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES. A school   district may use funding to which the district is entitled under   this chapter to:                (1)  provide district graduates, during the first two   years after high school graduation, advising support toward the   successful completion of a certificate or degree program at a   public institution of higher education or a postsecondary   vocational training program; and                (2)  educate a student who has graduated from high   school but is enrolled in the district in a program through which   the student may earn dual credit, including the Pathways in   Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program under   Subchapter N, Chapter 29, and the Rural Pathway Excellence   Partnership (R-PEP) program under Section 29.912.          SECTION 16.  Section 48.106, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a-1) and adding Subsections (a-2) and (a-3) to   read as follows:          (a-1)  In addition to the amounts under Subsection (a), for   each student in average daily attendance enrolled in a campus   designated as a P-TECH school under Section 29.556, a district is   entitled to $150 [$50 for each of the following in which the student   is enrolled:                [(1)  a campus designated as a P-TECH school under   Section 29.556; or                [(2)  a campus that is a member of the New Tech Network   and that focuses on project-based learning and work-based   education].          (a-2)  A district is entitled to funding under Subsection   (a-1) for a student who has graduated from high school but is   enrolled in the district in a program offered under Subchapter N,   Chapter 29, through which the student may earn dual credit. The   district is not entitled to any other funding under this chapter for   a student described by this subsection.          (a-3)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the total amount that   may be used to provide allotments under Subsection (a) for courses   described by Subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii) for a school year may not   exceed $20 million.  If the total amount of allotments to which   school districts are entitled under Subsection (a) for those   courses for a school year exceeds the amount permitted under this   subsection, the commissioner shall proportionately reduce each   district's allotment under Subsection (a).          SECTION 17.  Sections 48.106(b)(1) and (1-a), Education   Code, are amended to read as follows:                (1)  "Approved career and technology education   program":                      (A)  means:                            (i)  a sequence of career and technology   education courses, including technology applications courses,   authorized by the State Board of Education; and                            (ii)  courses offered under a Junior Reserve   Officers' Training Corps program established under 10 U.S.C.   Section 2031; and                      (B)  includes only courses that qualify for high   school credit.                (1-a)  "Approved program of study" means a course   sequence that:                      (A)  provides students with the knowledge and   skills necessary for success in the students' chosen careers,   including the military; and                      (B)  is approved by the agency for purposes of the   Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century   Act (Pub. L. No. 115-224).          SECTION 18.  Section 48.118, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a) and (f) and adding Subsections (a-1),   (a-2), and (a-3) to read as follows:          (a)  Subject to Subsection (a-1), for [For] each full-time   equivalent student in average daily attendance in grades 9 through   12 in a college or career pathway offered through a partnership   under the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) program   under Section 29.912, a school district is entitled to an allotment   equal to the basic allotment, or, if applicable, the sum of the   basic allotment and the allotment under Section 48.101 to which the   district is entitled, multiplied by:                (1)  1.15 if the student is educationally   disadvantaged; or                (2)  1.11 if the student is not educationally   disadvantaged.          (a-1)  A school district is eligible to receive an allotment   under Subsection (a) only if the district has adopted a school   calendar for that school year that provides for at least:                (1)  175 instructional days; or                (2)  five instructional days per week for the majority   of the school year.          (a-2)  The commissioner may waive the requirement under   Subsection (a-1) for a school district for the 2025-2026 school   year on application by the district if the district demonstrates   that the district has adopted a school calendar for the 2026-2027   school year that complies with that subsection. This subsection   expires September 1, 2026.          (a-3)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a school district   described by Section 29.912(c-1) may receive funding under this   section for up to 110 percent of the number of students who   qualified under Subsection (a) for the school year immediately   preceding the school year in which the district's enrollment first   reached 1,600 or more.          (f)  The total amount of state funding for allotments and   outcomes bonuses under this section may not exceed $20 [$5] million   per year.  If the total amount of allotments and outcomes bonuses to   which school districts are entitled under this section exceeds the   amount permitted under this subsection, the agency shall allocate   state funding to districts under this section in the following   order:                (1)  [allotments under Subsection (a) for which school   districts participating in partnerships prioritized under Section   29.912(h) are eligible;                [(2)]  allotments under Subsection (a) for which school   districts that entered into a memorandum of understanding or letter   of commitment regarding a multidistrict pathway partnership, as   defined by commissioner rule, before May 1, 2023, are eligible;                (2) [(3)]  allotments under Subsection (a) for which   school districts that have entered into a performance agreement   under Section 29.912 with a coordinating entity that is an   institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, are   eligible;                (3) [(4)]  allotments under Subsection (a) for which   school districts with the highest percentage of students who are   educationally disadvantaged, in descending order, are eligible;   and                (4) [(5)]  outcomes bonuses under Subsection (c) for   which school districts with the highest percentage of students who   are educationally disadvantaged, in descending order, are   eligible.          SECTION 19.  Section 48.152(a)(2), Education Code, is   amended to read as follows:                (2)  "New instructional facility" includes:                      (A)  a newly constructed instructional facility;                      (B)  a repurposed instructional facility; [and]                      (C)  a leased facility operating for the first   time as an instructional facility with a minimum lease term of not   less than 10 years; and                      (D)  a renovated portion of an instructional   facility to be used for the first time to provide high-cost and   undersubscribed career and technology education programs, as   determined by the commissioner.          SECTION 20.  Section 48.152(f), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (f)  The amount appropriated for allotments under this   section may not exceed $150 [$100] million in a school year.  If the   total amount of allotments to which districts are entitled under   this section for a school year exceeds the amount appropriated   under this subsection, the commissioner:                (1)  shall reduce each district's allotment under this   section in the manner provided by Section 48.266(f); and                (2)  for new instructional facilities described by   Subsection (a)(2)(D), may remove a career and technology education   program from the list of programs that qualify under that   subsection.          SECTION 21.  The heading to Section 48.155, Education Code,   is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 48.155.  COLLEGE PREPARATION AND CAREER READINESS   ASSESSMENT REIMBURSEMENT.          SECTION 22.  Section 48.156, Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 48.156.  CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION REIMBURSEMENT. (a)     A school district is entitled to reimbursement for the amount of a   subsidy paid by the district for not more than two [a student's]   certification examinations per student [examination] under Section   29.190(a), including costs paid for associated fingerprinting or   criminal history record information review, as provided by Section   29.190(c).          (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the total amount that   may be used for reimbursement under that subsection for a school   year may not exceed $15 million, of which not more than $500,000 may   be used to reimburse the costs of fingerprinting or criminal   history record information review. If the total amount to which   school districts are entitled under Subsection (a) exceeds the   amount permitted under this subsection, the commissioner shall   proportionately reduce each school district's entitlement under   this section.          SECTION 23.  (a)  This section takes effect only if S.B.   1786, 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, becomes law.          (b)  Section 204.0025, Labor Code, is amended to read as   follows:          Sec. 204.0025.  ADDITIONAL WORKFORCE DATA REPORTING. The   commission shall [It is the intent of the legislature that the   commission, subject to the availability of federal funding or other   resources for the purpose,] work with employers to enhance the   reporting of employment and earnings data by employers to the   commission as part of an employer's routine wage filings under this   subtitle or commission rule and consistent with federal law and   regulations. The enhanced wage filings must include information   related to wage, industry, occupational field, full-time and   part-time status, county of primary employment, remote work status,   [occupation] and other important employment information necessary   to conduct the assessment required under Section 302.0205 [that   would improve the state's labor market information].          SECTION 24.  (a)  This section takes effect only if S.B.   1786, 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, does not become law.          (b)  Section 204.0025, Labor Code, is amended to read as   follows:          Sec. 204.0025.  ADDITIONAL WORKFORCE DATA REPORTING. The   commission shall [It is the intent of the legislature that the   commission, subject to the availability of federal funding or other   resources for the purpose,] work with employers to enhance the   reporting of employment and earnings data by employers to the   commission as part of an employer's routine wage filings under this   subtitle or commission rule and consistent with federal law and   regulations. The enhanced wage filings must include information   related to wage, industry, occupational field, full-time and   part-time status, county of primary employment, remote work status,   [occupation] and other important employment information that would   improve the state's labor market information.          SECTION 25.  The heading to Section 312.003, Labor Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 312.003.  INVENTORY OF CERTIFICATIONS [CREDENTIALS AND   CERTIFICATES].          SECTION 26.  Sections 312.003(a), (b), (c), and (d), Labor   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (a)  The advisory council shall develop an inventory of   industry-recognized certifications [credentials and certificates]   that may be earned by a public high school student through a career   and technology education program and that:                (1)  are aligned to state and regional workforce needs;   [and]                (2)  serve as an entry point to middle- and high-wage   jobs; and                (3)  meet the requirements of Section 39.0531(a),   Education Code.          (b)  The inventory must include for each certification   [credential or certificate]:                (1)  the associated career cluster;                (2)  the awarding entity;                (3)  the level of education required and any additional   requirements for the certification [credential or certificate];                (4)  any fees for obtaining the certification   [credential or certificate]; and                (5)  the average wage or salary for jobs that require or   prefer the certification [credential or certificate].          (c)  In developing the inventory, the advisory council may   consult with local workforce boards, the Texas Workforce Investment   Council, the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office, the   Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating   Board.          (d)  The advisory council shall establish a process for   developing the inventory, including the criteria for the inclusion   of a certification [credential or certificate] in the inventory.          SECTION 27.  Section 29.912(h), Education Code, is repealed.          SECTION 28.  The Texas Education Agency shall first update   the statewide goal for career readiness created under Section   7.043(a), Education Code, as added by this Act, in accordance with   Subsection (b) of that section not later than the 2028-2029 school   year.          SECTION 29.  Sections 28.0095(c-1) and 29.9016, Education   Code, as added by this Act, and Sections 29.190, 29.912, 33.007(b),   and 39.0261(a), Education Code, as amended by this Act, apply   beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.          SECTION 30.  The changes in law made by Section 39.053,   Education Code, as amended by this Act, and Section 39.0531,   Education Code, as added by this Act, apply to accountability   ratings beginning with the 2027-2028 school year.          SECTION 31.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of   this section and as otherwise provided by this Act, 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.          (b)  The amendments by this Act to Chapter 48, Education   Code, take effect September 1, 2025.     * * * * *