H.B. No. 120 seeks to improve college, career, and military readiness in Texas public schools by amending various sections of the Education Code. The bill introduces new academic goals for high school graduates, ensuring they have the skills and credentials necessary for the workforce or postsecondary education without remediation. It mandates the posting of de-identified data on postsecondary outcomes for high school graduates, disaggregated by school district and campus, to enhance educational strategies and accountability. Additionally, the bill emphasizes career and technology education, requiring districts to offer opportunities for students to earn industry-recognized credentials and participate in dual credit courses, while establishing a statewide goal for career readiness and annual reporting on student progress.

The legislation also includes significant amendments, such as the introduction of a new Subsection (c-1) in Section 29.912, allowing school districts to continue participation in specific programs regardless of current student attendance, with a cap of $5 million on grants awarded for planning and development. It enhances the role of school counselors in providing information about postsecondary education and career readiness, modifies funding provisions to support advising for graduates, and increases state funding for educational initiatives from $5 million to $20 million per year. Furthermore, the bill expands the definition of "new instructional facility" and increases the maximum appropriated amount for allotments under Section 48.152 from $100 million to $150 million per school year. It also introduces reimbursement provisions for certification examinations and mandates improved reporting of employment data, aiming to better align education with workforce needs in Texas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 29.182, Education Code 29.912, Education Code 45.105, Education Code 48.106, Education Code 48.118, Education Code 48.152 (Education Code 29, Education Code 45, Education Code 48)
House Committee Report: Education Code 28.0095, Education Code 29.182, Education Code 29.912, Education Code 39.0261, Education Code 45.105, Education Code 48.003, Education Code 48.106, Education Code 48.118, Education Code 48.152, Education Code 48.155, Education Code 48.156 (Education Code 45, Education Code 39, Education Code 48, Education Code 28, Education Code 29)
Engrossed: Education Code 28.0095, Education Code 29.182, Education Code 29.912, Education Code 39.0261, Education Code 45.105, Education Code 48.003, Education Code 48.106, Education Code 48.118, Education Code 48.152, Education Code 48.155, Education Code 48.156 (Education Code 45, Education Code 39, Education Code 48, Education Code 28, Education Code 29)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 4.002, Education Code 11.186, Education Code 28.0095, Education Code 29.182, Education Code 29.912, Education Code 33.007, Education Code 39.0261, Education Code 39.053, Education Code 45.105, Education Code 48.106, Education Code 48.118, Education Code 48.152, Education Code 48.155, Education Code 48.156, Labor Code 204.0025, Labor Code 312.003 (Education Code 33, Education Code 45, Education Code 39, Education Code 4, Labor Code 312, Education Code 48, Education Code 28, Labor Code 204, Education Code 11, Education Code 29)
Enrolled: Education Code 4.002, Education Code 11.186, Education Code 28.0095, Education Code 29.182, Education Code 29.912, Education Code 33.007, Education Code 39.0261, Education Code 45.105, Education Code 48.003, Education Code 48.106, Education Code 48.118, Education Code 48.152, Education Code 48.155, Education Code 48.156, Labor Code 204.0025, Labor Code 312.003 (Education Code 33, Education Code 45, Education Code 39, Education Code 4, Labor Code 312, Education Code 48, Education Code 28, Labor Code 204, Education Code 11, Education Code 29)