As leaders in education, superintendents and school administrators play a pivotal role in shaping the future success of students. The College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) Outcomes Bonus, which was established by House Bill 3 (HB 3) of the 86th Texas Legislature, is an effective instrument for assisting districts in achieving Texas’ 60×30 objectives. These bonuses reward districts for their innovation and achievement in preparing students for postsecondary education, careers, or military enlistment. Here’s how you can ensure your district maximizes the impact of these funds.
What is House Bill 3?
House Bill 3 (HB 3) is a significant piece of education legislation passed in Texas in 2019 that overhauled public school finance and accountability systems. It sought to alleviate property taxes, address teacher pay issues, and increase funding for public education. Important details include: Increased Education Funding
Increased funding weights for economically disadvantaged and English Language Learner (ELL) students, as well as those in rural areas.
Funding that is based on outcomes for students to encourage school districts to achieve their goals for college, career, and military readiness. Teacher and Staff Pay requiring districts to use 30% of new funding to increase compensation for teachers, librarians, nurses, and counselors, with a focus on those with more than five years of experience.
Reduced school district property tax rates to alleviate the financial burden on taxpayers.
Mandated full-day prekindergarten for eligible 4-year-old students to support early learning.
Invested in teacher development, merit-based pay, and resources for students requiring additional support, including dyslexia and special education programs
imposed measures to guarantee that funds were used effectively and increased accountability for school spending. HB 3 aimed to address long-standing issues in Texas’ school finance system while focusing on equity, quality, and results. Visit the HB 3 FAQs for additional information. What exactly is Texas 60X30? Texas 60×30 (also known as 60x30TX) is a strategic higher education initiative by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) aimed at ensuring that 60% of Texans aged 25-34 hold a postsecondary credential by the year 2030.
The goal of the program, which was launched in 2015, was to raise educational attainment among the state’s population in order to address the state’s workforce and economic needs. Key objectives include: Achieve the overarching goal of 60% of Texans aged 25-34 earning a certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or higher by 2030.
Recruit more students to earn a postsecondary credential from a Texas higher education institution. Make sure that every person who graduates from a Texas institution has skills that can be used in the workplace. Limit undergraduate student loan debt so that it does not exceed 60% of a graduate’s first-year wage in Texas.
This initiative aligns with the growing demand for a highly skilled workforce. Texas faces increasing challenges due to population growth, technological advances, and evolving job markets. By improving educational attainment, the program supports the state’s economic competitiveness and ensures individuals can achieve higher earning potential.
What is the CCMR Outcomes Bonus?
Districts receive annual funding through the CCMR Outcomes Bonus when they surpass certain performance thresholds for graduates in three categories: Economically Disadvantaged: $5,000 per qualifying student
Non-Economically Disadvantaged: $3,000 per qualifying student
Students Served in Special Education Programs: $2,000 regardless of whether student is economically disadvantaged
The state’s 25th percentile of performance is used to set thresholds to ensure equity. Object of the Funds The goal of the CCMR Outcomes Bonus is to: Give districts credit for preparing students for success in higher education. Encourage students to complete credentials, join the military, or enroll in higher education.
Spending Guidelines
Minimum Requirement: According to HB 3, 55% of CCMR Outcomes Bonus funds must be spent on activities that directly relate to college, career, or military readiness for students in grades 8-12. Remaining Funds – Once the 55% threshold is met, districts have the flexibility to allocate the remaining funds based on their priorities.
Explicit Uses of Funds
1. Professional Development for Teachers Professional development on AP, IB, dual credit, ACT/SAT prep, and other CCMR-related topics.
Teachers who write curriculum or participate in collaborative planning receive stipends. Substitutes for teachers attending training or planning sessions.
2. Preparation of Students for CCMR Content ACT, SAT, TSIA, and ASVAB preparation materials and study guides Costs for advanced placement (AP, IB) and dual-credit opportunities.
expenses associated with earning certifications based on an industry.
3. Services for Counseling and Advising Career and college planning sessions for students.
FAFSA workshops and college application support.
Outreach efforts to promote CCMR opportunities to students and parents.
4. Work-Based Learning (WBL) Opportunities
Transportation for internships and work-site visits.
Employability skills training and lessons.
agreements for intermediaries to manage work experiences for students. 5. Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Industry-Based Certification (IBC)
Pre-certification assessments and travel to testing centers.
Sessions in the community that promote certification opportunities. 6. College and Career Readiness School Models (CCRSM)
activities for the pre-planning and investigation of CCRSM programs. Operating expenses, including salaries, utilities, and instructional materials.
expansion of CCRSM offerings through partnerships with businesses and colleges.
Strategic Tips for Superintendents and Administrators
1. Coordinate Initiatives with District Objectives Use CCMR funds to support strategic priorities, such as increasing college enrollment rates, expanding CTE programs, or boosting SAT/ACT performance.
2. Stakeholders’ Engagement Find opportunities with a high impact for students by working together with teachers, counselors, and partners in the community.
3. Monitor and Assess the Effect Ensure that funded activities contribute to the achievement of CCMR thresholds by implementing systems for monitoring their effectiveness. Utilizing a powerful tool like Pathways ensures that students are on track and allows the district to capture the additional bonus funding.
4. Make use of adaptability. The purchase of a graduation tracking and CCMR tool is one creative use for the remaining funds once the 55% requirement has been satisfied. Pathways: A CCMR Outcomes Bonus Funding Allowable Expense A graduation tracking tool called Pathways, which is powered by Education Advanced, Inc., lets administrators and counselors quickly create, monitor, and analyze graduation pathways to make sure that secondary students are on track to graduate. Pathways ensures the accuracy of student data through a feed with the district student information system, which saves time and reduces the administrative burden for counselors and administrators.
Pathways is allowable for CCMR Outcomes Bonus Funding as an expense incurred to prepare students for an opportunity to meet the measures tied to the CCMR Outcome Bonus as a software / subscription in these specific areas:
Counseling and Advising Services
College and Career Readiness School Model
Districts can increase CCMR Outcomes Bonus Funding by using Pathways to identify specific student needs. This investment in ensuring every student is prepared for college, a fulfilling career, or military service not only boosts student outcomes but also strengthens the broader community.
