Key Legislation Impacting CTE in Texas
The 89th Texas Legislative Session included several significant bills impacting Career & Technical Education programs across the state. Below is a summary of key legislation and what it means for CTE educators, students, and districts.
KEY BILLS - 89TH LEGISLATURE:
HB 2 & HB 120 | Comprehensive CTE & CCMR Funding Package
- Requires TEA to publish district-level postsecondary outcomes for CCMR advising and sets annual CCMR goals.
- Funds and places JROTC under CTE.
- Increases P-TECH & R-PEP funding from $50 to $150 per student.
- Expands Rural Pathways Education Grants and adds career readiness assessment to CCMR.
- Expands New Instructional Facilities Allotment (NIFA) to include renovated CTE spaces.
- Reimburses up to two industry-based certifications per student.
- Ensures CTE teachers are eligible for reimbursement of certification fees — including exam fees, application fees, and fingerprinting costs.
- Increases Basic Allotment (+$45) and boosts small/mid-sized district allotment (+8%).
HB 20 | Applied Sciences Pathway Program · Rep. Gates
Establishes the Applied Sciences Pathway Program, promoting skilled trades as postsecondary options for students across Texas.
HB 322 | JET Grant Expansion · Rep. Guillen
Expands the JET Grant program to fund technology purchases and ongoing equipment maintenance for CTE programs.
HB 1868 | Dual Credit & Workforce Performance Study · Rep. Wilson
Directs a study on performance-based funding for dual credit/enrollment and workforce capacity to inform future legislative action.
SB 12 | CTSO Parental Consent Requirement · Sen. Creighton
Requires written parental consent for student participation in Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs).
SB 1192 | Standardized GPA Calculation · Sen. Creighton
Standardizes GPA calculation statewide — equal weight for AP, IB, OnRamps, and academic dual credit courses. WECM courses are weighted differently. Adoption is mandatory statewide.
Questions? Contact Us
Mark Bosher
mark@ctat.org
Chelsea Reeves
chelsea@ctat.org
Additional Resources
For more information, please refer to the 89th Legislature Updates page on the TEA website, or contact a CTAT team member directly using the information in the sidebar.