HB3672 - Relating to the creation of an extracurricular community education grant program.

  89R15108 RDR-D     By: Ashby H.B. No. 3672       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of an extracurricular community education   grant program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 29.251, Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 29.251.   DEFINITION [ DEFINITIONS ]. In this subchapter ,   "community [ :                [ (4)  "Community ] education" means the process by which   the citizens in a school district, using the resources and   facilities of the district or an eligible organization , organize to   support each other and to solve their mutual educational problems   and meet their mutual lifelong needs. Community education may   include:                 (1)  [ (A) ]  educational programs, including programs   relating to cultural awareness, parenting skills education and   parental involvement in school programs, and multilevel adult   education and personal growth;                 (2)  [ (B) ]  community involvement programs, including   programs for community economic development, school volunteers,   partnerships between schools and businesses, coordination with   community agencies, school-age child care, family literacy, and   community use of facilities; and                 (3)  [ (C) ]  programs for youth enrolled in schools,   including [ programs for ] dropout prevention and recovery programs,   drug-free school programs, school-age parenting programs, and   academic enhancement programs provided both during and outside of   regular school hours .          SECTION 2.  Subchapter H, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.258 to read as follows:           Sec.   29.258.     EXTRACURRICULAR COMMUNITY EDUCATION GRANT   PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "extracurricular community   education program" means a community education program for youth   enrolled in schools that is provided outside of regular school   hours, including programs provided after school or during the   summer.           (b)     The commissioner shall establish a grant program to   assist eligible organizations with providing extracurricular   community education programs that promote learning and academic   enrichment and may include activities involving art, music,   community engagement, literacy, science, technology, engineering,   math, health, mental health, or recreation.           (c)     The objectives of the grant program established by this   section are to:                 (1)     improve student academic performance by   increasing access to after-school and summer learning and   enrichment opportunities;                 (2)     reduce truancy by fostering student engagement in   learning and connections to the school and community;                 (3)     improve student mental health by identifying those   in need and providing early intervention to students and their   families;                 (4)     increase student access to protective factors that   promote healthy behaviors, attitudes, and relationships, including   access to connections with caring adults;                 (5)     encourage students to develop the skills and   behaviors necessary to become productive adults, including those   necessary to succeed in postsecondary education or career   opportunities; and                 (6)     establish community partnerships to ensure   equitable access to resources for students and their families.           (d)     To be eligible for a grant under this section, an   organization that provides or seeks to provide an extracurricular   community education program must submit a grant application to the   agency that includes:                 (1)     an assessment of community needs and existing   program resources, including a description of the extent to which:                       (A)     students and their families were involved in   the determination of community needs; and                       (B)     the program addresses or will address the   identified needs;                 (2)     a description of the organization's relationship   with a public school that the students participating in the program   attend, if applicable;                 (3)     an analysis of the extent to which the program will   further the objectives described by Subsection (c);                 (4)     a plan for implementing educational strategies   consistent with industry best practices and for providing program   staff with access to professional development opportunities; and                 (5)     a description of the data the organization will   use to evaluate the impact of the program.           (e)     The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to   administer the grant program established by this section, including   rules to:                 (1)     establish a methodology for selecting among   eligible organizations that have applied under Subsection (d) to   receive grants that prioritizes:                       (A)     programs primarily serving historically   underserved students;                       (B)     organizations partnered or otherwise   collaborating with public schools that program participants   attend; and                       (C)     organizations providing a wide array of   services and activities to meet community needs and the objectives   described by Subsection (c); and                 (2)     monitor and evaluate the performance of grant   recipients, including assessing the effectiveness of a program in   meeting the objectives described by Subsection (c).           (f)     To the extent practicable, the commissioner shall award   grants under this section:                 (1)     equitably among the geographic areas of the state,   including urban, rural, and suburban communities; and                 (2)     without regard to the grade level of students   served by a program.           (g)     The agency shall provide program development assistance   to organizations that receive a grant under this section, including   professional development opportunities for program leaders and   guidance on educational strategies consistent with industry best   practices.          SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the commissioner of education shall establish the   extracurricular community education grant program under Section   29.258, Education Code, as added by this Act, and adopt all rules   necessary for the implementation of that section.          SECTION 4.  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.