SB 2561

relating to the establishment of the student success initiative
program by the Texas Education Agency and the award of grants under
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.935 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.935.  STUDENT SUCCESS INITIATIVE PROGRAM; GRANTS.
(a)  The agency, in collaboration with qualified experts in the
areas of child and youth mental health and education, shall develop
a student success initiative program based on evidence-based best
(1)  support youth well-being and educational
(2)  increase the number of students performing at
grade level by providing academic, community, and governmental
(b)  From money appropriated or otherwise available for the
purpose, the commissioner shall provide technical assistance and
award grants to school districts and open-enrollment charter
schools that implement the program developed under Subsection (a).
(c)  In awarding grants under Subsection (b), the
(1)  award 75 percent of the amount available during
each school year to school districts that serve a population of
(2)  prioritize school districts and open-enrollment
charter schools with high percentages of students who:
(A)  do not perform satisfactorily on assessment
instruments administered under Section 39.023; or
(B)  are educationally disadvantaged.
(d)  The commissioner may use not more than 10 percent of the
money appropriated for purposes of this section to cover the cost of
(e)  The agency shall annually submit to the legislature a
report on the impact of the student success initiative program and
best practices learned from the program.
(f)  The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
implement this section, including rules establishing:
(1)  application criteria for receipt of a grant under
(2)  allowable uses of grant money by a school district
or open-enrollment charter school under this section, which must
include supports for students such as tutoring, mentoring, and
other educational opportunities outside of the district or school.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.