HB4893 - Relating to the establishment of a postsecondary advising program for students who are the first in their families to pursue postsecondary education or who are educationally disadvantaged.

  89R28721 AND-D     By: Bowers, Walle, McQueeney, Anchía, H.B. No. 4893       Cunningham, et al.     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4893:     By:  Buckley C.S.H.B. No. 4893       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of a postsecondary advising program   for students who are the first in their families to pursue   postsecondary education or who are educationally disadvantaged.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 33, Education Code, is amended by adding   Subchapter H to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER H. BREAKTHROUGH PROGRAM           Sec.   33.301.     DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "program"   means the Breakthrough program established under this subchapter.           Sec.   33.302.     ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM. The commissioner   shall establish the Breakthrough program through which the agency   shall collaborate with a nonprofit organization to provide   postsecondary advising to students who are:                 (1)     the first in their families to pursue a   postsecondary certificate or degree; or                 (2)  educationally disadvantaged.           Sec.   33.303.     DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER AND AGENCY. (a) The   commissioner shall:                 (1)     coordinate the efforts of the program with social   service organizations and agencies and public school personnel to   provide services to students who are at risk of not completing   critical steps to graduate from high school and pursue   postsecondary education and career opportunities after high school   graduation;                 (2)     establish performance goals, objectives, and   measures for the program, including performance goals, objectives,   and measures for the improvement of student:                       (A)  academic achievement;                       (B)  promotion, retention, and graduation; and                       (C)  enrollment in postsecondary education;                 (3)     evaluate progress toward the performance goals,   objectives, and measures established under Subdivision (2);                 (4)     assist communities that seek to participate in the   program to establish a local funding base for a local program;                 (5)     provide training and technical assistance for   participating communities and local programs; and                 (6)     by rule adopt and annually update policies   concerning:                       (A)     the agency's responsibility in encouraging   local businesses to participate in the program;                       (B)     the agency's responsibility in obtaining   information from local programs; and                       (C)     other aspects of the program the commissioner   determines appropriate.           (b)     The agency shall support the development and   implementation of local programs under the program.           Sec.   33.304.     FUNDING FOR LOCAL PROGRAMS. (a) Each local   program shall develop a funding plan that ensures that the level of   services for the local program would be maintained if state funding   for the local program is reduced.           (b)     A local program may accept federal money, state money,   donations, and grants for the local program.           Sec.   33.305.     AGENCY PERFORMANCE OF PROGRAM FUNCTIONS   REQUIRED. The agency:                 (1)     must perform each function concerning the program   for which the agency is responsible; and                 (2)     may not contract with a private entity to perform a   function described by Subdivision (1).          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.