P-TECH SCHOOL DESIGNATION AND GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) A school district or open-enrollment charter school that implements or seeks to implement the P-TECH program at a campus may apply to the commissioner for designation of the campus as a P-TECH school in accordance with procedures established by the commissioner.

(b) From funds appropriated for that purpose, the commissioner by rule shall establish a grant program to assist school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in implementing the P-TECH program at a campus designated as a P-TECH school under Subsection (a). The commissioner may use not more than three percent of the funds appropriated for the grant program to cover the cost of administering the grant program and to provide technical assistance and support to P-TECH schools.

(c) The commissioner shall establish the criteria for a campus's designation as a P-TECH school and for participation in the grant program under this section. The criteria must require a school district or open-enrollment charter school to:

(1) enter into an articulation agreement under Section 29.553 only with institutions of higher education that are accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;

(2) review and, as necessary, update each memorandum of understanding with a regional industry or business partner under Section 29.553 at least once every two years; and

(3) explain how the district's or school's P-TECH program will address regional workforce needs.