SB 557

relating to academic distinction designations under the public
school accountability system and the career and technology
allotment under the Foundation School Program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 39.202, Education Code, is amended to
Sec. 39.202.  ACADEMIC DISTINCTION DESIGNATION FOR
DISTRICTS AND CAMPUSES.  The commissioner by rule shall establish
an academic distinction designation for districts and campuses for
outstanding performance in attainment of postsecondary readiness.
The commissioner shall adopt criteria for the designation under
(1)  percentages of students who:
(A)  performed satisfactorily, as determined
under the college readiness performance standard under Section
39.0241, on assessment instruments required under Section
39.023(a), (b), (c), or (l), aggregated across grade levels by
(B)  met the standard for annual improvement, as
determined by the agency under Section 39.034, on assessment
instruments required under Section 39.023(a), (b), (c), or (l),
aggregated across grade levels by subject area, for students who
did not perform satisfactorily as described by Paragraph (A);
(A)  students who earned a nationally or
internationally recognized business or industry certification or
(B)  students who completed a coherent sequence of
(C)  students who completed a dual credit course
or an articulated postsecondary course provided for local credit;
(D)  students who achieved applicable College
Readiness Benchmarks or the equivalent on the Preliminary
Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT), the Scholastic Assessment Test
(SAT), the American College Test (ACT), or the ACT-Plan assessment
(E)  students who received a score on either an
advanced placement test or an international baccalaureate
examination to be awarded college credit; and
(F)  students who completed a Pathways in
Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program established
under Subchapter N, Chapter 29, or another early college high
(3)  other factors for determining sufficient student
attainment of postsecondary readiness.
SECTION 2.  Section 48.106(a-1), Education Code, is amended
(a-1)  In addition to the amounts under Subsection (a), for
each student in average daily attendance enrolled at a campus
designated as a P-TECH school under Section 29.556, a district is
entitled to $150 [$50 for each of the following in which the student
[(1)  a campus designated as a P-TECH school under
[(2)  a campus that is a member of the New Tech Network
and that focuses on project-based learning and work-based
SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026
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.