TX SB1786

Expands free dual credit course eligibility to students in grades 9-12 who were educationally disadvantaged at any time during the current school year or the preceding four school years, and includes the Windham School District in the definition of "school district" for this program

Grants the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board authority to adopt rules for administering federal financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act without using negotiated rulemaking procedures, and allows adoption of manuals or policy documents by reference as rules

Establishes criteria for designating "credentials of value" for junior college funding purposes, requiring credentials to provide positive return on investment within 10 years, allow students to recoup attendance costs, and meet self-sufficient wage thresholds—with exceptions for education and healthcare credentials to meet workforce needs

Requires the Texas Workforce Commission to conduct biennial regional labor demand assessments analyzing 10-year workforce projections by wage, industry, occupation, and county, with results provided to the governor, legislature, and educational institutions by March 1 of each odd-numbered year

Mandates coordination between Texas Education Agency, Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Workforce Commission on career and technical education grant programs, including JET grants, P-TECH, and federal Perkins Act funding, to reduce duplication and align with workforce goals