Bill > HB3748

This bill aims to improve educational support and information sharing for students currently or formerly in foster care. It mandates that school districts expedite the transfer of school records for these students, develop systems to ease their transition into new schools, and establish procedures for awarding credit for coursework completed elsewhere. The bill also promotes access to extracurricular and academic programs at little to no cost, and requires schools to accept special education referrals from previous schools. Furthermore, it mandates that school districts notify a child's educational decision-maker and caseworker about significant educational events, such as evaluations for special needs or disciplinary actions. For students in their junior or senior year, schools will provide information on tuition and fee exemptions for dual-credit courses at public higher education institutions. The bill also requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to enter into a memorandum of understanding to share information for evaluating the educational outcomes of students who were in foster care, and each institution of higher education will designate an employee to act as a liaison for these students, providing them with information about available support services.