INSTRUCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION SERVICES IN JUVENILE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES

(a) The commissioner shall determine the instructional requirements for education services provided by a school district or open-enrollment charter school in a pre-adjudication secure detention facility or a post-adjudication secure correctional facility operated by a juvenile board or a post-adjudication secure correctional facility operated under contract with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, including requirements relating to: (1) the length of the school day; (2) the number of days of instruction provided to students each school year; and (3) the curriculum of the educational program. (b) The commissioner shall coordinate with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department in determining the instructional requirements for education services provided under Subsection (a): (1) in a pre-adjudication secure detention facility or a post-adjudication secure correctional facility operated by a juvenile board; and (2) in a post-adjudication secure correctional facility operated under contract with the department. (c) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section. The rules must ensure that: (1) a student who receives education services in a pre-adjudication secure detention facility described by this section is offered courses that enable the student to maintain progress toward completing high school graduation requirements; and (2) a student who receives education services in a post-adjudication secure correctional facility described by this section is offered, at a minimum, the courses necessary to enable the student to complete high school graduation requirements. (d) The Texas Juvenile Justice Department shall coordinate with the commissioner in establishing standards for: (1) ensuring security in the provision of education services in the facilities; and (2) providing children in the custody of the facilities access to education services.