AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current law states that a student may not be given credit for a class unless the student is in attendance for at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered. Some school districts have misinterpreted credit to mean high school credit for graduation, but credit actually applies to all grade levels (K-12) and all academic disciplines.
As a result of this confusion, the practice of pulling students from fine arts and other enrichment classes for tutoring on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) has become increasingly widespread—sometimes for as much of half or more of the days that the classes are offered. Students are receiving grades and class credit for courses they do not attend, and they are missing out on the valuable knowledge that these courses provide.
C.S.S.B. 140 will clarify that students may not earn a credit or grade for a class unless they are in attendance for at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered in all grade levels (K-12). This bill will help ensure that students are in attendance in class so that the state-mandated Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) is taught and learned effectively and appropriately.
C.S.S.B. 140 amends current law relating to minimum public school attendance for class credit or a grade.
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 the heading to Section 25.092, Education Code, to read as follows:
Sec. 25.092. MINIMUM ATTENDANCE FOR CLASS CREDIT OR FINAL GRADE.
SECTION 2. Amends Sections 25.092(a), (a-1), (b), and (d), Education Code, as follows:
(a) Prohibits a student in any grade level from kindergarten through grade 12, except as provided by this section, from being given credit or a final grade for a class unless the student is in attendance for at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered.
(a-1) Makes conforming changes.
(b) Makes conforming changes.
(d) Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 3. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2011-2012 school year.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.