By:  Barrientos                                                   S.B. No. 1815


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to composite scoring of exit-level assessments for high 
school graduation.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 28.025, Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:   
	(a)  The State Board of Education by rule shall determine 
curriculum requirements for the minimum, recommended, and advanced 
high school programs that are consistent with the required 
curriculum under Section 28.002.  A person may receive a diploma if 
the person is eligible for a diploma under Section 28.0251.  In 
other cases, a student may graduate and receive a diploma only if:
		(1)  the student successfully completes the curriculum 
requirements identified by the board and complies with subsection 
(f) or Section 39.025(a); or
		(2)  the student successfully completes an 
individualized education program developed under Section 29.005.
	(b)  A school district shall ensure that each student enrolls 
in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements 
identified by the State Board of Education under Subsection (a) 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, and a school counselor or school administrator 
agree that the student should be permitted to take courses under the 
minimum high school program.
	(c)  A student may graduate and receive a diploma only if:                     
		(1)  the student successfully completes the curriculum 
requirements identified by the State Board of Education under 
Subsection (a) and complies with Subsection (f) or Section 
39.025(a); or
		(2)  the student successfully completes an 
individualized education program developed under Section 29.005.
	(d)  A school district may issue a certificate of coursework 
completion to a student who successfully completes the curriculum 
requirements identified by the State Board of Education under 
Subsection (a) but who fails to comply with Section 39.025(a).  A 
school district may allow a student who receives a certificate to 
participate in a graduation ceremony with students receiving high 
school diplomas.
	(e)  Each school district shall report the academic 
achievement record of students who have completed a minimum, 
recommended, or advanced high school program on transcript forms 
adopted by the State Board of Education.  The transcript forms 
adopted by the board must be designed to clearly differentiate 
between each of the high school programs and identify whether a 
student passed all sections of the exit-level assessment, received 
a diploma or a certificate of coursework completion.
	(f)  If fewer than 67% of all Texas 11th grade students 
enrolled on the date of initial exit-level assessment 
administration initially meet satisfactory performance 
expectations on all exit-level assessments, students will have 
satisfied requirements under Section 39.023 and Section 39.025(a) 
if:
		(1)  after at least three attempts a student has not 
passed all exit-level assessments as defined in Section 39.023(c);
		(2)  a student's score on each exit level assessment is 
not lower than the passing standard on each exit assessment for the 
graduating class of 2004; and
		(3)  a student's composite score on the exit level 
assessments is equal to or exceeds the Transitional Statewide 
Composite Exit Score.
	(g)  For the purposes of this subsection, the Transitional 
Statewide Composite Exit Score is defined as no less than the sum or 
average for satisfactory performance on each exit level assessment 
as determined in Section 39.024(a).
	(h)  Subsections (f), (g) and this subsection are sunset when 
more than 67% of all Texas 11th grade students enrolled on the date 
of initial exit-level assessment administration meet satisfactory 
performance expectations on all exit-level assessments.
	SECTION 2.  Section 39.025, Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:   
	(a)  Except as otherwise provided by Section 28.025(f), a [A] 
student may not receive a high school diploma until the student has 
performed satisfactorily on the secondary exit-level assessment 
instruments for English language arts, mathematics, social 
studies, and science administered under Section 39.023(c).  This 
subsection does not require a student to demonstrate readiness to 
enroll in an institution of higher education.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.