The House Public Education Subcommittee on Academic and Career-Oriented Education met for the first time Wednesday and heard two bills related to career and technical education (CTE). Chairman Trent Ashby (R–Lufkin) opened the hearing by explaining that the subcommittee will not vote out bills but instead will make recommendations to House Public Education Committee Chair Brad Buckley (R–Salado). The full committee will then vote on bills heard by the subcommittee. 

The two bills heard by the subcommittee were: 

• HB 120 by Rep. Keith Bell (R–Forney), which focuses on enhancing CTE and establishing support programs for high school students. This bill is meant to address expansion of CTE courses, one of the emergency items declared by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in his February State of the State address. ATPE registered in support of the bill. Key points of the bill include: 
  • Career and Technology Education (CTE): The bill aims to ensures career and technical education courses meet the needs of the workforce at large and that the courses offered are rigorous and students are being properly trained, leading to industry-recognized certifications or degrees. 
  • Military Pathway Grant Program: This new program would provide grants of $50,000 to school districts to establish Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) programs, administer the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), and offer career counseling. 
  • High School Advising Program: The bill proposes a program to offer college or career advising for high school students by partnering with institutions of higher education, employers, or workforce boards to provide guidance. The advisors must have a caseload of no more than 200 students and prioritize junior and senior students. 
  • Funding and Support: The bill includes provisions for funding these initiatives under the Foundation School Program, with a focus on supporting the development and expansion of CTE programs and advisory services. 
• HB 20 by Rep. Gary Gates (R–Rosenberg), which would establish an Applied Sciences Pathway Program in Texas. The program would help high school students earn both a high school diploma and a certificate from institutions of higher education in various fields such as plumbing, welding, aviation maintenance, and HVAC, with the intention of serving labor market trends and funneling interested students toward high-growth career pathways. “This bill is focused on the 50% of students who never go to college,” Gates said in his layout of the bill. “It’s trying to provide a meaningful career pathway for high-paying jobs in areas where we have shortages … jobs where we are lacking not only in Texas but throughout the country.” 

Both bills were left pending for the full House Public Education Committee to take further action following the subcommittee’s recommendations. The subcommittee will meet again March 12.