S.B. No. 1786 is a legislative bill designed to enhance public higher education in Texas by amending the Education Code to include the Windham School District in the definition of "school district" and modifying eligibility criteria for dual credit courses. The bill allows students in grades 9 through 12 who have been educationally disadvantaged in the current or previous four years to enroll in these courses at no cost. It also requires school districts and charter schools to determine eligibility based on their records and notify higher education institutions accordingly. Additionally, the Texas Education Agency is tasked with providing relevant data to assist in these determinations.

The bill further introduces provisions aimed at improving career and technical education (CTE) programs, including a requirement for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to define an individual self-sufficient wage aligned with the statewide median wage. It allows the Board to designate certain educational or healthcare credentials as valuable, regardless of existing criteria, and establishes a framework for coordinating competitive grant programs for CTE. The Texas Workforce Commission is mandated to conduct a biennial assessment of regional labor demands, utilizing labor market data to align educational programs with workforce needs, with results to be reported to state officials and educational institutions. Implementation of these measures is set to begin in the 2025-2026 academic year, with specific rules to be adopted by August 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 28.0095, Education Code 61.003 (Education Code 61, Education Code 28)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 28.0095, Education Code 61.003, Labor Code 204.0025 (Education Code 61, Labor Code 204, Education Code 28)
Engrossed: Education Code 28.0095, Education Code 61.003, Labor Code 204.0025 (Education Code 61, Labor Code 204, Education Code 28)