85R11797 SRS-F     By: Stucky, González of El Paso, VanDeaver, H.B. No. 2519       Koop, Lambert       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study on dropout prevention and recovery before the   ninth grade.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.919 to read as follows:          Sec. 29.919.  MIDDLE GRADES DROPOUT PREVENTION AND RECOVERY   STUDY. (a) The agency shall conduct a study to identify the best   practices for:                (1)  reducing the number of students who drop out of   school before entering the ninth grade; and                (2)  directing students who drop out of school before   entering the ninth grade toward an appropriate educational program.          (b)  The study must examine:                (1)  current programs and interventions available to:                      (A)  students who are enrolled in grades four   through eight and are at risk of dropping out of school; and                      (B)  students who have dropped out of school   before entering the ninth grade;                (2)  barriers to students attempting to reenroll in a   school district or open-enrollment charter school after dropping   out of school before entering the ninth grade;                (3)  best practices in this state and other states for   re-engaging students who dropped out of school before entering the   ninth grade; and                (4)  the feasibility of adopting a pilot program to   establish an early warning data system beginning with students in   the sixth grade to track each student's attendance, behavior, and   performance in core subjects.          (c)  Not later than September 1, 2018, the agency shall   submit a report to the legislature that includes the results of the   study conducted under this section and any recommendations for   legislative or other action.          (d)  This section expires January 1, 2019.          SECTION 2.  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, 2017.