SRC-MWN S.B. 385 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 385
77R4951 CAS-DBy: Bivins
Education
2/26/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, most Texas public schools require students to take the least
rigorous high school curriculum for high school graduation, and provide
them the opportunity to opt into a more rigorous curriculum. As proposed,
S.B. 385 requires school districts to enroll students in the recommended
high school or distinguished achievement programs unless the student,
parent, school counselor, and administrator agree that the student is
authorized to opt into the minimum plan. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 28.025, Education Code, to require a school
district to ensure that each student enrolls in the courses necessary to
complete the curriculum requirements identified by the State Board of
Education under this section for the recommended or advanced high school
program unless the student, the student's parent or other person standing
in parental relation to the student, a school counselor, and a school
administrator agree that the student should be permitted to take courses
under the minimum high school program. Authorizes a student to graduate and
receive a diploma only if the student successfully completes the curriculum
requirements identified by the State Board of Education and complies with
Section 39.025(a); or the student successfully completes an individualized
education program developed under Section 29.005. Authorizes a school
district to issue a certificate of course work completion to a student who
successfully completes the curriculum requirements identified by the State
Board of Education but who fails to comply with Section 39.025 (a), rather
than performing satisfactorily on the assessment instruments specified by
this section. Provides that Subsection (b) applies to students entering the
ninth grade in the 2004-2005 school year and thereafter. Provides that
Subsection (f) expires September 1, 2004.  

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.