By: Nelson  S.B. No. 79
         (In the Senate - Filed November 8, 2010; January 31, 2011,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Education;
  March 2, 2011, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 8,
  Nays 0; March 2, 2011, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the contents and applicability of a school district's
  grading policy.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 28.0216, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 28.0216.  DISTRICT GRADING POLICY.  (a)  Before each
  school year, a [A] school district shall adopt a grading policy,
  including provisions for the assignment of grades on class
  assignments and examinations and the calculation of cumulative
  averages of grades[, before each school year].  A district grading
  policy:
               (1)  must require a [classroom] teacher to assign a
  grade that reflects the student's relative mastery of the subject
  without employing grade inflation or misrepresenting a student's
  deserved grade [an assignment];
               (2)  may not require a [classroom] teacher to assign a
  minimum grade [for an assignment] without regard to the student's
  quality of work; and
               (3)  may allow a student a reasonable opportunity to
  make up or redo a class assignment or examination for which the
  student received a failing grade.
         (b)  A district grading policy shall apply to the assignment
  of a grade for which written notice is required under Section
  28.022(a)(2), in addition to any other grade assigned by the
  district.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2011-2012
  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, 2011.
 
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