By: Zaffirini, Van de Putte  S.B. No. 673
         (In the Senate - Filed February 15, 2007; February 28, 2007,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Education;
  March 7, 2007, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 8,
  Nays 0; March 7, 2007, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to allowing a student receiving special education services
  to participate in a graduation ceremony after the fourth year of
  high school.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 28.025, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
         (f)  A school district shall issue a certificate of
  attendance to a student who receives special education services
  under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, and who has completed four years of
  high school but has not completed the student's individualized
  education program. A school district shall allow a student who
  receives a certificate to participate in a graduation ceremony with
  students receiving high school diplomas. A student may participate
  in only one graduation ceremony under this subsection. This
  subsection does not preclude a student from receiving a diploma
  under Subsection (c)(2).
         SECTION 2.  Subsection (f), Section 28.025, Education Code,
  as added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2006-2007 school
  year.
         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, 2007.
 
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