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 HB1051, 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

HB 1051 would extend the  high school diploma and industry certification charter school pilot program by striking the word "pilot".

HB 1051 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 changes some of the eligibility standards for the program, lowering the age from 19 to 18 and requiring 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.

HB 1051 also requires school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to report to the PEIMS 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 HB 1051 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. 

When we opposed the creation of the pilot program in 2015 we said "HB 1831 would create an obligation for the state to educate adults beyond the traditional high school age, creating a new dependency on the government for adult education. Charitable organizations currently address the need for assisting adults who need a high school diploma or the high school equivalency." We continue to hold this view.