Bill Caption

Relating to the participation of open-enrollment charter schools in the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program. 

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

HB 618 allows grants from the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program, career and technical education grants, and independent school district grants will now be held open to open-enrollment charter schools. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Current statute allows independent school districts to participate in the program but not open-enrollment charter schools. The current statute discriminates against charter schools and deprives charter school students of the possibility of benefiting from a program that is available to students enrolled in an ISD.

Allowing charter schools to be eligible to compete for grants would end the current disparity and put charter schools on equal footing with ISDs with respect to the Jobs and Education for Texans Program. For these reasons Texas Action supports HB 618 on the principles of limited government and individual liberty.