The 89th Legislative Session in Review | Page 23

P-TECH & R-PEP PROGRAMS

EFFECTIVE FOR SY 2025-26

Increased Funding & Flexibility

Increases per student in ADA allotment from $ 50 to $ 150 per student enrolled in or completing P­ TECH / R-PEP programs, regardless of district enrollment
Raises R-PEP bonus funding cap from $ 5M to $ 20M
Extends FAST program eligibility. graduated students to students in a P­ TECH / R-PEP program
Allows continued R-PEP participation for schools exceeding the 1,600- student cap, with funding capped at 110 % of the amount received the year before exceeding the enrollment cap
Limits total grants for planning and establishment of R-PEPs to $ 5M.
Permits the use of Foundation School Program funding for:
• Postsecondary advising support toward successful completion of a certificate of degree program to district graduates, up to two years
• Educating high school graduates enrolled in dual credit programs, including P-TECH and R-PEP
Removes requirement for partnerships with experienced coordinating entities for P-TECH

JROTC

EFFECTIVE FOR SY 2025-26

CTE Designation for JROTC

Officially designates JROTC as a Career and Technical Education( CTE) program.

NEW INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITIES ALLOTMENT

EFFECTIVE FOR SY 2025-26

NIF A Expansion for CTE Programs

Expands the definition of " new instructional facility " to include renovated space used for high-cost, undersubscribed CTE programs as designated by the commissioner
Raises the funding cap to $ 150M
If demand exceeds funding, the commissioner may remove CTE programs from eligibility

MILITARY­ RELATED PROGRAM NOTICES

EFFECTIVE FOR SY 2025-26

Parent Notification onJROTC Opportunities and Data Sharing

Requires districts to notify parents of JROTC students about early registration or scholarship opportunities linked to military training programs during the high school registration process
Notice must include an option to share the student ' s information with higher education institutions, including:
• Contact / directory info
• Education records
• Other data as prescribed by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rule

POSTSECONDARY COUNSELING REQUIREMENTS

EFFECTIVE FOR SY 2025-26

Annual Career and Postsecondary Information

Counselors must annually provide students and parents with information on:
• Career readiness, workforce training, and the My Texas Future website, including how to create a profile
• Opportunities to complete career training and obtain a postsecondary credential while enrolled, including program costs, completion rates, and average wages of program participants
• Outcomes, including completion rates and average wages for campus graduates by postsecondary pa�hway
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board must offer annual online training to counselors on statewide postsecondary trends and other information available on the My Texas Future website

CAREER READINESS ASSESSMENT

EFFECTIVE FOR SY 2025-26

Optional State-Paid Career Readiness Assessment

Adds an approved, nationally recognized career readiness assessment measuring foundational workforce skills as an optional, statepaid assessment for students after the first semester of their junior year

21