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.