Sec. 42.154. CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION ALLOTMENT

(a) For each full-time equivalent student in average daily attendance in an approved career and technology education program in grades nine through 12 or in career and technology education programs for students with disabilities in grades seven through 12, a district is entitled to:

(1) an annual allotment equal to the adjusted basic allotment multiplied by a weight of 1.35; and

(2) $50, if the student is enrolled in:

(A) two or more advanced career and technology education classes for a total of three or more credits; or

(B) an advanced course as part of a tech-prep program under Subchapter T, Chapter 61.

(a-1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the commissioner shall develop and implement a pilot program under which a school district is entitled to additional funding for each student receiving career and technology instruction in grade eight. The commissioner shall select not more than five school districts for participation in the pilot program. In selecting school districts for participation, the commissioner shall consider school districts that can provide services under the program at the least cost. For each full-time equivalent student in grade eight in average daily attendance in an approved career and technology education program, a school district participating in the program under this subsection is entitled to an annual allotment equal to the adjusted basic allotment multiplied by a weight of 1.35. Funds allocated under this subsection, other than an indirect cost allotment established under State Board of Education rule, must be used in providing career and technology programs in grade eight under Sections 29.182, 29.183, and 29.184. A school district is entitled to an allotment under this subsection for each school year through the completion of the 2011-2012 school year. Not later than January 1, 2013, the agency shall prepare and deliver to each member of the legislature a report describing the effectiveness of the pilot program described by this subsection. This subsection expires February 1, 2013.

(b) In this section, "full-time equivalent student" means 30 hours of contact a week between a student and career and technology education program personnel.

(c) Funds allocated under this section, other than an indirect cost allotment established under State Board of Education rule, must be used in providing career and technology education programs in grades nine through 12 or career and technology education programs for students with disabilities in grades seven through 12 under Sections 29.182, 29.183, and 29.184.

(d) The commissioner shall conduct a cost-benefit comparison between career and technology education programs and mathematics and science programs.

(e) Out of the total statewide allotment for career and technology education under this section, the commissioner shall set aside an amount specified in the General Appropriations Act, which may not exceed an amount equal to one percent of the total amount appropriated, to support regional career and technology education planning. After deducting the amount set aside under this subsection from the total amount appropriated for career and technology education under this section, the commissioner shall reduce each district's tier one allotments in the same manner described for a reduction in allotments under Section 42.253.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 201, Sec. 31, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 763 , Sec. 5, eff. June 15, 2007. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1328 , Sec. 54, eff. September 1, 2009.