Bill: SB 591, 86(R) - 2019

Committee

Senate Education

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Neutral Neutral Neutral Negative Neutral

Author(s)

Kirk Watson

Co-Author(s)

Paul Bettencourt
Donna Campbell
Bob Hall
Eddie Lucio Jr.
Angela Paxton
Beverly Powell

Bill Caption

Relating to an adult education program provided under an adult high school diploma and industry certification charter school program, eligibility of certain students for Foundation School Program benefits, and reporting requirements regarding the dropout status of certain students.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB591, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($2,431,079) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

SB 591 would expand the definition of students who are at risk of dropping out to include students who participate in adult education programs for adult high school diploma and industry certification programs, regardless of age. This bill also would change some of the eligibility standards for the program, lowering the age from 19 to 18 and require nonprofit entities to prioritize applicants that do not have a high school diploma. Funding for these programs would also receive equal funding per participant as weighted average daily attendance that would be allocated under the Foundation School Program. The program would require that 75 percent of instructional time would be spent in an in-person setting with a teacher and provide support services such as free child care and life coaching. 

SB 591 would also require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to report to the Public Education Information Management System the number of students that participate in adult education programs that are between the ages of 19 and 26, had not previously been reported as dropouts, and if they enrolled after not attending school for 9 months. Schools are also required to report these students as having previously dropped out of school. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action recommends opposing SB 591 which would violate the principle of limited government by expanding a program that is not a core function of government; taxpayer subsidized adult education programs. 

Organizations Supporting

Center for Public Policy Priorities
Texas Association of Builders
Texas Association of Manufacturers

Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 10:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/86r/sb591?print_view=true