The commissioner must distribute funds for programs under this subchapter, and eligible school districts must apply and meet local-funding and counselor staffing rules.
Sec. 33.002. CERTIFIED SCHOOL COUNSELOR. (a) From funds appropriated for the purpose or other funds that may be used for the purpose, the commissioner shall distribute funds for programs under this subchapter. In distributing those funds, the commissioner shall give preference to a school district that received funds under this subsection for the preceding school year and then to the districts that have the highest concentration of students at risk of dropping out of school, as described by Section 29.081. To receive funds for the program, a school district must apply to the commissioner. For each school year that a school district receives funds under this subsection, the district shall allocate an amount of local funds for school guidance and counseling programs that is equal to or greater than the amount of local funds that the school district allocated for that purpose during the preceding school year. This section applies only to a school district that receives funds as provided by this subsection. (b) A school district with 500 or more students enrolled in elementary school grades shall employ a school counselor certified under the rules of the State Board for Educator Certification for each elementary school in the district. A school district shall employ at least one school counselor for every 500 elementary school students in the district. (c) A school district with fewer than 500 students enrolled in elementary school grades shall provide guidance and counseling services to elementary school students by: (1) employing a part-time school counselor certified under the rules of the State Board for Educator Certification; (2) employing a part-time teacher certified as a school counselor under the rules of the State Board for Educator Certification; or (3) entering into a shared services arrangement agreement with one or more school districts to share a school counselor certified under the rules of the State Board for Educator Certification. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 6.005(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1328 (H.B. 3646), Sec. 39, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 443 (S.B. 715), Sec. 27, eff. June 14, 2013. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 443 (S.B. 715), Sec. 28, eff. June 14, 2013.