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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to public school accountability, including assessment and |
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curriculum requirements. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 7.062(e), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(e) The rules must: |
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(1) limit the amount of assistance provided through a |
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grant to not more than: |
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(A) for a construction project, $200 per square |
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foot of the science laboratory to be constructed; or |
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(B) for a renovation project, $100 per square |
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foot of the science laboratory to be renovated; |
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(2) require a school district to demonstrate, as a |
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condition of eligibility for a grant, that the existing district |
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science laboratories are insufficient in number to comply with the |
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curriculum requirements imposed for the foundation [recommended
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and advanced] high school program [programs] under Section 28.025 |
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[28.025(b-1)(1)]; and |
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(3) provide for ranking school districts that apply |
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for grants on the basis of wealth per student and giving priority in |
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the award of grants to districts with low wealth per student. |
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SECTION 2. Section 18.006(b), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) In addition to other factors determined to be |
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appropriate by the commissioner, the accountability system must |
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include consideration of: |
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(1) student performance on the end-of-course |
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assessment instruments required by Section 39.025 [39.023(c)]; and |
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(2) dropout rates, including dropout rates and diploma |
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program completion rates for the grade levels served by the diploma |
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program. |
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SECTION 3. Sections 28.014(a), (b), (c), and (f), Education |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The commissioner of education and the commissioner of |
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higher education shall develop and recommend to the State Board of |
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Education for adoption under Section 28.002 the essential knowledge |
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and skills of courses in college preparatory mathematics, science, |
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social studies, and English language arts. The courses must be |
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designed: |
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(1) for students at the 12th grade level who do not |
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meet college readiness standards on an end-of-course assessment |
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instrument required under Section 39.025(a) [39.023(c)]; and |
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(2) to prepare students for success in entry-level |
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college courses. |
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(b) A student who successfully completes a course developed |
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under this section may use the credit earned in the course toward |
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satisfying the applicable mathematics or science curriculum |
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requirement for the foundation [recommended or advanced] high |
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school program under Section 28.025. |
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(c) The agency, in consultation with the Texas Higher |
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Education Coordinating Board, shall adopt an end-of-course |
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assessment instrument for each course developed under this section |
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to ensure the rigor of the course. A school district shall, in |
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accordance with State Board of Education rules, administer the |
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end-of-course assessment instrument to a student enrolled in a |
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course developed under this section. A [Each] school district may |
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[shall] adopt a policy that requires a student's performance on the |
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end-of-course assessment instrument to be considered in |
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determining [account for 15 percent of] the student's final grade |
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for the course. [A student's performance on an end-of-course
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assessment instrument administered under this subsection may be
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used, on a scale of 0-40, in calculating whether the student
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satisfies the graduation requirements established under Section
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39.025.] |
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(f) To the extent applicable, the commissioner shall draw |
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from curricula and instructional materials developed under Section |
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[Sections] 28.008 [and 61.0763] in developing a course and related |
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instructional materials under this section. Not later than |
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September 1, 2010, the State Board of Education shall adopt |
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essential knowledge and skills for each course developed under this |
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section. The State Board of Education shall make each course |
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developed under this section and the related instructional |
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materials available to school districts not later than the |
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2014-2015 school year. [As required by Subsection (c), a school
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district shall adopt a policy requiring a student's performance on
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an end-of-course assessment instrument administered under that
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subsection to account for 15 percent of the student's grade for a
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course developed under this section not later than the 2014-2015
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school year.] This subsection expires September 1, 2015. |
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SECTION 4. Section 28.025, Education Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (a), (b), (b-1), (b-2), (b-3), (b-4), (b-5), |
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(b-7), (b-9), (b-10), (b-11), and (e) and adding Subsections |
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(b-12), (c-1), (e-1), (h), and (h-1) to read as follows: |
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(a) The State Board of Education by rule shall determine |
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curriculum requirements for the foundation [minimum, recommended,
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and advanced] high school program [programs] that are consistent |
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with the required curriculum under Section 28.002. The [Subject to
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Subsection (b-1), the] State Board of Education shall designate the |
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specific courses in the foundation curriculum under Section |
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28.002(a)(1) as required under [for a student participating in] |
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the foundation [minimum, recommended, or advanced] high school |
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program. Except as provided by this section [Subsection (b-1)], |
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the State Board of Education may not designate a specific course or |
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a specific number of credits in the enrichment curriculum as |
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requirements for the [recommended] program. |
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(b) A school district shall ensure that each student enrolls |
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in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements |
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identified by the State Board of Education under Subsection (a) for |
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the foundation [recommended or advanced] high school program and, |
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to the greatest extent practicable, other courses that include |
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mathematics or science [unless the student, the student's parent or
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other person standing in parental relation to the student, and a
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school counselor or school administrator agree in writing signed by
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each party that the student should be permitted to take courses
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under the minimum high school program and the student:
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[(1) is at least 16 years of age;
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[(2)
has completed two credits required for graduation
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in each subject of the foundation curriculum under Section
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28.002(a)(1); or
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[(3)
has failed to be promoted to the tenth grade one
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or more times as determined by the school district]. |
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(b-1) The State Board of Education by rule shall require |
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that [:
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[(1) except as provided by Subsection (b-2),] the |
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curriculum requirements for the foundation [recommended and
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advanced] high school program [programs] under Subsection (a) |
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include a requirement that students successfully complete: |
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(1) [(A)] four credits in English language arts [each
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subject of the foundation curriculum] under Section |
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28.002(a)(1)(A), including one credit in English I, one credit in |
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English II, one credit in English III, and one credit in an advanced |
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English course authorized under Subsection (b-2); |
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(2) three credits in mathematics under Section |
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28.002(a)(1)(B), including one credit in Algebra I, one credit in |
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geometry, and one credit in any advanced mathematics course |
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authorized under Subsection (b-2); |
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(3) two credits in science under Section |
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28.002(a)(1)(C), which may be satisfied through a course in |
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biology, integrated physics and chemistry, or any advanced science |
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course authorized under Subsection (b-2); |
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(4) three credits in social studies under Section |
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28.002(a)(1)(D) [28.002(a)(1)], including one credit in world |
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geography, one credit in United States history, and at least |
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one-half credit in government and at least one-half credit in |
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economics [to meet the social studies requirement]; |
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(5) except as provided under Subsection (b-12) |
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[(B) for the recommended high school program], two credits in the |
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same language in a language other than English under Section |
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28.002(a)(2)(A) based on courses that emphasize fluency in speaking |
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[and, for the advanced high school program, three credits in the
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same language in a language other than English under Section
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28.002(a)(2)(A)]; [and] |
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(6) eight [(C)
for the recommended high school
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program, six] elective credits [and, for the advanced high school
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program, five elective credits]; |
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(7) [(2)
one or more credits offered in the required
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curriculum for the recommended and advanced high school programs
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include a research writing component; and
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[(3)
the curriculum requirements for the minimum,
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recommended, and advanced high school programs under Subsection (a)
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include a requirement that students successfully complete:
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[(A)] one credit in fine arts under Section |
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28.002(a)(2)(D); and |
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(8) one credit in health under Section 28.002(a)(2)(B) |
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or, [(B)] except as provided by Subsection (b-11), one credit in |
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physical education under Section 28.002(a)(2)(C). |
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(b-2) In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State |
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Board of Education shall provide for [allow] a student to comply |
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with the curriculum requirements for an advanced English course |
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under Subsection (b-1)(1) taken after successful completion of |
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English I, English II, and English III, for an advanced [a] |
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mathematics course under Subsection (b-1)(2) [(b-1)(1)] taken |
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after the successful completion of Algebra I and geometry, and for |
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an advanced [either after the successful completion of or
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concurrently with Algebra II or a] science course under Subsection |
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(b-1)(3) [(b-1)(1) taken after the successful completion of biology
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and chemistry and either after the successful completion of or
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concurrently with physics] by successfully completing a course in |
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the appropriate content area that has been approved as an advanced |
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course by board rule. To be approved as an advanced mathematics |
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course under this subsection, the mathematics course must be |
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rigorous and have postsecondary application, including application |
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in postsecondary education or training or in the workplace [career
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and technical course designated by the State Board of Education as
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containing substantively similar and rigorous academic content.
A
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student may use the option provided by this subsection for not more
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than two courses]. |
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(b-3) In adopting rules for purposes of Subsection (b-2) [to
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provide students with the option described by Subsection
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(b-1)(1)(A)], the State Board of Education must approve a variety |
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of advanced English, mathematics, and science courses that may be |
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taken [after the completion of Algebra II and physics] to comply |
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with the foundation high school [recommended] program |
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requirements. |
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(b-4) A school district may offer the curriculum described |
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in Subsections (b-1)(1) through (4) [Subsection (b-1)(1)(A)] in an |
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applied manner. Courses delivered in an applied manner must cover |
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the essential knowledge and skills, and the student shall be |
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administered the applicable end-of-course assessment instrument as |
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provided by Sections 39.023(c) and 39.025. |
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(b-5) A school district may offer a mathematics or science |
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course to be taken by a student after completion of Algebra II and |
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physics [to comply with the recommended program requirements in
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Subsection (b-1)(1)(A)]. A course approved under this subsection |
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must be endorsed by an institution of higher education as a course |
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for which the institution would award course credit or as a |
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prerequisite for a course for which the institution would award |
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course credit. |
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(b-7) The State Board of Education, in coordination with the |
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Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall adopt rules to |
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ensure that a student may comply with the curriculum requirements |
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under the foundation [minimum, recommended, or advanced] high |
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school program for each subject of the foundation curriculum under |
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Section 28.002(a)(1) and for languages other than English under |
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Section 28.002(a)(2)(A) by successfully completing appropriate |
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courses in the core curriculum of an institution of higher |
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education under Section 61.822. |
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(b-9) The agency shall establish a pilot program allowing a |
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student attending school in a county with a population of more than |
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one million and in which more than 75 percent of the population |
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resides in a single municipality to satisfy the fine arts credit |
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required under Subsection (b-1)(7) [(b-1)(3)(A)] by participating |
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in a fine arts program not provided by the school district in which |
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the student is enrolled. The fine arts program may be provided on |
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or off a school campus and outside the regular school day. [Not
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later than December 1, 2010, the agency shall provide to the
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legislature a report regarding the pilot program, including the
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feasibility of expanding the pilot program statewide.] |
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(b-10) A school district, with the approval of the |
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commissioner, may allow a student to comply with the curriculum |
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requirements for a [the] physical education credit [required] under |
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Subsection (b-1)(8) [(b-1)(3)(B)] by participating in a private or |
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commercially sponsored physical activity program provided on or off |
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a school campus and outside the regular school day. |
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(b-11) In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State |
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Board of Education shall allow a student who is unable to |
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participate in physical activity due to disability or illness to |
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substitute one credit in English language arts, |
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mathematics, science, or social studies or one academic elective |
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credit for a [the] physical education credit [required] under |
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Subsection (b-1)(8) [(b-1)(3)(B)]. A credit allowed to be |
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substituted under this subsection may not also be used by the |
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student to satisfy a graduation requirement other than completion |
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of the physical education credit. The rules must provide that the |
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determination regarding a student's ability to participate in |
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physical activity will be made by: |
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(1) if the student receives special education services |
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under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, the student's admission, review, |
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and dismissal committee; |
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(2) if the student does not receive special education |
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services under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, but is covered by Section |
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504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794), the |
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committee established for the student under that Act; or |
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(3) if each of the committees described by |
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Subdivisions (1) and (2) is inapplicable, a committee established |
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by the school district of persons with appropriate knowledge |
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regarding the student. |
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(b-12) In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State |
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Board of Education shall adopt criteria to allow a student to comply |
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with the curriculum requirements for the two credits in a language |
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other than English required under Subsection (b-1)(5) by |
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substituting two credits earned for successful completion of other |
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courses that, based on scientific research, are determined to be |
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relevant to future careers. |
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(c-1) A student may earn an endorsement on the student's |
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diploma and transcript if the student successfully completes at |
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least four courses among the courses authorized for that |
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endorsement by the State Board of Education by rule. The school |
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district in which a student attends school shall provide for |
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advising students concerning course options within an endorsement |
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category, giving consideration to preparation and requirements for |
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higher education. An endorsement under this subsection may be |
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earned in any of the following categories: |
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(1) science, technology, engineering, and mathematics |
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(STEM), which includes courses directly related to advanced |
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sciences, including environmental systems, technology, |
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engineering, and advanced mathematics; |
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(2) business and industry, which includes courses |
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directly related to database management, information technology, |
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communications, accounting, finance, marketing, graphic design, |
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architecture, construction, welding, logistics, automotive |
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technology, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; |
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(3) human services, which includes courses directly |
|
related to health sciences and occupations, education and law, |
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culinary arts and hospitality, and agricultural science; and |
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(4) humanities, which includes courses directly |
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related to political science, world languages, cultural studies, |
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English literature, history, and fine arts. |
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(e) Each school district shall report the academic |
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achievement record of students who have completed the foundation [a
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minimum, recommended, or advanced] high school program on |
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transcript forms adopted by the State Board of Education. The |
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transcript forms adopted by the board must be designed to clearly |
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[differentiate between each of the high school programs and] |
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identify whether a student received a diploma or a certificate of |
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coursework completion. |
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(e-1) A school district shall clearly indicate an |
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endorsement described by Subsection (c-1) on the diploma and |
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transcript of a student who satisfies the applicable requirements. |
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The State Board of Education shall adopt rules as necessary to |
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administer this subsection. |
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(h) The commissioner by rule shall adopt a transition plan |
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to implement and administer the amendments made by __. B. No. __, |
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83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, replacing the minimum, |
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recommended, and advanced high school programs with the foundation |
|
high school program beginning with the 2013-2014 school year. |
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Under the transition plan, a student who entered the ninth grade |
|
before the 2013-2014 school year must be permitted to complete the |
|
curriculum requirements required for high school graduation under: |
|
(1) the foundation high school program, if the student |
|
makes the choice during the 2013-2014 school year to take courses |
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under this program; |
|
(2) the minimum high school program, as that program |
|
existed before the adoption of __.B. No. __, 83rd Legislature, |
|
Regular Session, 2013, if the student was participating in that |
|
program before the 2013-2014 school year; |
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(3) the recommended high school program, as that |
|
program existed before the adoption of __.B. No. __, 83rd |
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Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, if the student was |
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participating in that program before the 2013-2014 school year; or |
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(4) the advanced high school program, as that program |
|
existed before the adoption of __.B. No. __, 83rd Legislature, |
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Regular Session, 2013, if the student was participating in that |
|
program before the 2013-2014 school year. |
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(h-1) This subsection and Subsection (h) expire September |
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1, 2017. |
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SECTION 5. Section 28.0253(e), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(e) A student who receives a high school diploma through the |
|
pilot program is considered to have completed the foundation |
|
[recommended] high school program adopted under Section 28.025 |
|
[28.025(a)]. The student is not guaranteed admission to any |
|
institution of higher education or to any academic program at an |
|
institution of higher education solely on the basis of having |
|
received the diploma through the program. |
|
SECTION 6. Section 28.027(b), Education Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
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(b) The State Board of Education shall establish a process |
|
under which an applied STEM course may be reviewed and approved for |
|
purposes of satisfying the mathematics and science curriculum |
|
requirements for the foundation [recommended] high school program |
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[imposed] under Section 28.025 [28.025(b-1)(1)(A)] through |
|
substitution of the applied STEM course for a specific mathematics |
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or science course otherwise required or authorized under the |
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foundation [recommended] high school program [and completed during
|
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the student's fourth year of mathematics or science course work.
|
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The State Board of Education may only approve a course to substitute
|
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for a mathematics course taken after successful completion of
|
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Algebra I and geometry and after successful completion of or
|
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concurrently with Algebra II.
The State Board of Education may only
|
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approve a course to substitute for a science course taken after
|
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successful completion of biology and chemistry and after successful
|
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completion of or concurrently with physics]. |
|
SECTION 7. Section 29.0821(a), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) A school district may provide a flexible year program |
|
for students who did not or are likely not to perform successfully |
|
on an assessment instrument required [administered] under Section |
|
39.023(a), (b), (l), or (n) or 39.025(a) [39.023] or who would not |
|
otherwise be promoted to the next grade level. |
|
SECTION 8. Section 29.096(e), Education Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(e) The commissioner shall establish minimum standards for |
|
a local collaborative agreement, including a requirement that the |
|
agreement must be signed by an authorized school district or |
|
open-enrollment charter school officer and an authorized |
|
representative of each of the other participating entities that is |
|
a partner in the collaboration. The program must: |
|
(1) limit participation in the program to students |
|
authorized to participate by a parent or other person standing in |
|
parental relationship; |
|
(2) have as a primary goal graduation from high school |
|
[under at least the recommended high school program]; |
|
(3) provide for local businesses or other employers to |
|
offer paid employment or internship opportunities and advanced |
|
career and vocational training; |
|
(4) include an outreach component and a lead |
|
educational staff member to identify and involve eligible students |
|
and public and private entities in participating in the program; |
|
(5) serve a population of students of which at least 50 |
|
percent are identified as students at risk of dropping out of |
|
school, as described by Section 29.081(d); |
|
(6) allocate not more than 15 percent of grant funds |
|
and matching funds, as determined by the commissioner, to |
|
administrative expenses; |
|
(7) include matching funds from any of the |
|
participating entities; and |
|
(8) include any other requirements as determined by |
|
the council. |
|
SECTION 9. Section 29.402(b), Education Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(b) A person who is under 26 years of age is eligible to |
|
enroll in a dropout recovery program under this subchapter if the |
|
person: |
|
(1) must complete not more than three course credits |
|
to complete the curriculum requirements for the foundation |
|
[minimum, recommended, or advanced] high school program[, as
|
|
appropriate,] for high school graduation; or |
|
(2) has failed to perform satisfactorily on an |
|
end-of-course assessment instrument required [administered] under |
|
Section 39.025 [39.023(c)] or an assessment instrument |
|
administered under Section 39.023(c) as that section existed before |
|
amendment by Chapter 1312 (S.B. 1031), Acts of the 80th |
|
Legislature, Regular Session, 2007. |
|
SECTION 10. Section 29.904(d), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(d) A plan developed under this section: |
|
(1) must establish clear, achievable goals for |
|
increasing the percentage of the school district's graduating |
|
seniors, particularly the graduating seniors attending a high |
|
school described by Subsection (a), who enroll in an institution of |
|
higher education for the academic year following graduation; |
|
(2) must establish an accurate method of measuring |
|
progress toward the goals established under Subdivision (1) that |
|
may include the percentage of district high school students and the |
|
percentage of students attending a district high school described |
|
by Subsection (a) who: |
|
(A) are enrolled in a course for which a student |
|
may earn college credit, such as an advanced placement or |
|
international baccalaureate course or a course offered through |
|
concurrent enrollment in high school and at an institution of |
|
higher education; |
|
(B) are enrolled in courses that meet the |
|
curriculum requirements for the foundation [recommended or
|
|
advanced] high school program as determined under Section 28.025; |
|
(C) have submitted a free application for federal |
|
student aid (FAFSA); |
|
(D) are exempt under Section 51.3062(p) or (q) |
|
from administration of an assessment instrument under Section |
|
51.3062 or have performed successfully on an assessment instrument |
|
under Section 51.3062; |
|
(E) graduate from high school; |
|
(F) graduate from an institution of higher |
|
education; and |
|
(G) have taken college entrance examinations and |
|
the average score of those students on the examinations; |
|
(3) must cover a period of at least five years; and |
|
(4) may be directed at district students at any level |
|
of primary or secondary education. |
|
SECTION 11. Section 33.007(b), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(b) During the first school year a student is enrolled in a |
|
high school or at the high school level in an open-enrollment |
|
charter school, and again during a student's senior year, a |
|
counselor shall provide information about higher education to the |
|
student and the student's parent or guardian. The information must |
|
include information regarding: |
|
(1) the importance of higher education; |
|
(2) [the advantages of completing the recommended or
|
|
advanced high school program adopted under Section 28.025(a);
|
|
[(3)] the disadvantages of taking courses to prepare |
|
for a high school equivalency examination relative to the benefits |
|
of taking courses leading to a high school diploma; |
|
(3) [(4)] financial aid eligibility; |
|
(4) [(5)] instruction on how to apply for federal |
|
financial aid; |
|
(5) [(6)] the center for financial aid information |
|
established under Section 61.0776; |
|
(6) [(7)] the automatic admission of certain students |
|
to general academic teaching institutions as provided by Section |
|
51.803; |
|
(7) [(8)] the eligibility and academic performance |
|
requirements for the TEXAS Grant as provided by Subchapter M, |
|
Chapter 56; and |
|
(8) [(9)] the availability of programs in the district |
|
under which a student may earn college credit, including advanced |
|
placement programs, dual credit programs, joint high school and |
|
college credit programs, and international baccalaureate programs. |
|
SECTION 12. Section 37.008(m), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(m) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to |
|
evaluate annually the performance of each district's disciplinary |
|
alternative education program established under this subchapter. |
|
The evaluation required by this section shall be based on |
|
indicators defined by the commissioner, but must include student |
|
performance on assessment instruments required under Sections |
|
39.023(a) and 39.025(a) and may not include student performance on |
|
other end-of-course assessment instruments [(c)]. Academically, |
|
the mission of disciplinary alternative education programs shall be |
|
to enable students to perform at grade level. |
|
SECTION 13. Section 39.023(c), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(c) The agency shall also adopt end-of-course assessment |
|
instruments for secondary-level courses in Algebra I, Algebra II, |
|
geometry, biology, chemistry, physics, English I, English II, |
|
English III, world geography, world history, and United States |
|
history. The Algebra I, Algebra II, and geometry end-of-course |
|
assessment instruments must be administered with the aid of |
|
technology. A school district shall comply with State Board of |
|
Education rules regarding administration of the assessment |
|
instruments listed in this subsection and may [shall] adopt a |
|
policy that requires a student's performance on an end-of-course |
|
assessment instrument for a course listed in this subsection in |
|
which the student is enrolled to be considered in determining |
|
[account for 15 percent of] the student's final grade for the |
|
course. [If a student retakes an end-of-course assessment
|
|
instrument for a course listed in this subsection, as provided by
|
|
Section 39.025, a school district is not required to use the
|
|
student's performance on the subsequent administration or
|
|
administrations of the assessment instrument to determine the
|
|
student's final grade for the course.] If a student is in a special |
|
education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, the student's |
|
admission, review, and dismissal committee shall determine whether |
|
any allowable modification is necessary in administering to the |
|
student an assessment instrument required under this subsection. |
|
The State Board of Education shall administer the assessment |
|
instruments. The State Board of Education shall adopt a schedule |
|
for the administration of end-of-course assessment instruments |
|
that complies with the requirements of Subsection (c-3). |
|
SECTION 14. Section 39.025, Education Code, is amended by |
|
amending Subsections (a), (a-1), (b), and (b-2) and adding |
|
Subsection (a-4) to read as follows: |
|
(a) The commissioner shall adopt rules requiring a student |
|
[participating] in the foundation [recommended or advanced] high |
|
school program under Section 28.025 to be administered [each
|
|
end-of-course assessment instrument listed in Section 39.023(c)
|
|
and requiring a student participating in the minimum high school
|
|
program to be administered] an end-of-course assessment instrument |
|
listed in Section 39.023(c) only for a course in which the student |
|
is enrolled and for which an end-of-course assessment instrument is |
|
administered. A student is required to achieve[, in each subject in
|
|
the foundation curriculum under Section 28.002(a)(1), a cumulative
|
|
score that is at least equal to the product of the number of
|
|
end-of-course assessment instruments administered to the student
|
|
in that subject and] a scale score that indicates satisfactory |
|
performance, as determined by the commissioner under Section |
|
39.0241(a), on the English III end-of-course assessment |
|
instruments in reading and writing and on the Algebra I |
|
end-of-course assessment instrument. [A student must achieve a
|
|
minimum score as determined by the commissioner to be within a
|
|
reasonable range of the scale score under Section 39.0241(a) on an
|
|
end-of-course assessment instrument for the score to count towards
|
|
the student's cumulative score.
For purposes of this subsection, a
|
|
student's cumulative score is determined using the student's
|
|
highest score on each end-of-course assessment instrument
|
|
administered to the student.] A student may not receive a high |
|
school diploma until the student has performed satisfactorily on |
|
[the] end-of-course assessment instruments in the manner provided |
|
under this subsection. This subsection does not require a student |
|
to demonstrate readiness to enroll in an institution of higher |
|
education. |
|
(a-1) The commissioner by rule shall determine a method by |
|
which a student's satisfactory performance on an advanced placement |
|
test, an international baccalaureate examination, a PSAT, an SAT, |
|
an SAT Subject Test, an ACT Plan, an ACT, or another assessment |
|
instrument determined by the commissioner to be at least as |
|
rigorous as an end-of-course assessment instrument adopted under |
|
Section 39.023(c) may be used to satisfy [as a factor in determining
|
|
whether the student satisfies] the requirements concerning an |
|
end-of-course assessment instrument in an equivalent subject as |
|
prescribed by [of] Subsection (a)[, including the cumulative score
|
|
requirement of that subsection.
The commissioner by rule may
|
|
determine a method by which a student's satisfactory performance on
|
|
a Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) assessment or a
|
|
preliminary American College Test (ACT) assessment may be used as a
|
|
factor in determining whether the student satisfies the
|
|
requirements of Subsection (a)]. |
|
(a-4) The commissioner shall determine a method by which a |
|
student's successful completion of a dual credit course, as |
|
determined in accordance with commissioner rule, provided through |
|
an institution of higher education, may be used to satisfy the |
|
requirements concerning an end-of-course assessment instrument in |
|
an equivalent subject as prescribed by Subsection (a). A student |
|
who fails to successfully complete a dual credit course may retake |
|
the course in an effort to successfully complete the course for |
|
purposes of this subsection or may take the appropriate |
|
end-of-course assessment instrument. The commissioner shall adopt |
|
rules as necessary for the administration of this subsection. |
|
(b) Each time an end-of-course assessment instrument |
|
prescribed under Subsection (a) for receiving a high school diploma |
|
is administered, a student who failed to achieve a scale [minimum] |
|
score that indicates satisfactory performance [under Subsection
|
|
(a)] shall retake the assessment instrument. A student who fails to |
|
perform satisfactorily on an Algebra II or English III |
|
end-of-course assessment instrument under the college readiness |
|
performance standard, as provided under Section 39.024(b), may |
|
retake the assessment instrument. Any other student may retake an |
|
end-of-course assessment instrument for any reason. A student is |
|
not required to retake a course as a condition of retaking an |
|
end-of-course assessment instrument. |
|
(b-2) If a school district determines that a student, on |
|
completion of grade 11, is unlikely to achieve the [cumulative] |
|
score requirement under Subsection (a) [requirements] for one or |
|
more end-of-course assessment instruments [subjects] prescribed |
|
under [by] Subsection (a) for receiving a high school diploma, the |
|
district shall require the student to enroll in a corresponding |
|
content-area college preparatory course for which an end-of-course |
|
assessment instrument has been adopted, if available. A student |
|
who enrolls in a college preparatory course described by this |
|
subsection shall be administered an end-of-course assessment |
|
instrument for the course, with the end-of-course assessment |
|
instrument scored on a scale as determined by the commissioner [not
|
|
to exceed 20 percent of the cumulative score requirements required
|
|
to graduate as determined under Subsection (a)]. A student may use |
|
the student's score on the end-of-course assessment instrument for |
|
the college preparatory course towards satisfying the [cumulative] |
|
score requirement under [requirements prescribed by] Subsection |
|
(a). |
|
SECTION 15. Section 39.053, Education Code, is amended by |
|
amending Subsections (c), (d-1), and (f) and adding Subsection (j) |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(c) Indicators of student achievement adopted under this |
|
section must include: |
|
(1) the results of assessment instruments required |
|
under Sections 39.023(a)[, (c),] and (l) and 39.025(a), including |
|
the results of assessment instruments required for graduation |
|
retaken by a student, aggregated across grade levels by subject |
|
area, including: |
|
(A) for the performance standard determined by |
|
the commissioner under Section 39.0241(a): |
|
(i) the percentage of students who |
|
performed satisfactorily on the assessment instruments, aggregated |
|
across grade levels by subject area; and |
|
(ii) for students who did not perform |
|
satisfactorily, the percentage of students who met the standard for |
|
annual improvement, as determined by the agency under Section |
|
39.034, on the assessment instruments, aggregated across grade |
|
levels by subject area; and |
|
(B) for the college readiness performance |
|
standard as determined under Section 39.0241: |
|
(i) the percentage of students who |
|
performed satisfactorily on the assessment instruments, aggregated |
|
across grade levels by subject area; and |
|
(ii) for students who did not perform |
|
satisfactorily, the percentage of students who met the standard for |
|
annual improvement, as determined by the agency under Section |
|
39.034, on the assessment instruments, aggregated across grade |
|
levels by subject area; |
|
(2) dropout rates, including dropout rates and |
|
district completion rates for grade levels 9 through 12, computed |
|
in accordance with standards and definitions adopted by the |
|
National Center for Education Statistics of the United States |
|
Department of Education; and |
|
(3) high school graduation rates, computed in |
|
accordance with standards and definitions adopted in compliance |
|
with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. Section 6301 et |
|
seq.). |
|
(d-1) In aggregating results of assessment instruments |
|
across grade levels by subject in accordance with Subsection |
|
(c)(1), the performance of a student enrolled below the high school |
|
level on an assessment instrument required under Section 39.025(a) |
|
[39.023(c)] is included with results relating to other students |
|
enrolled at the same grade level. |
|
(f) Annually, the commissioner shall define the state |
|
standard for the current school year for each student achievement |
|
indicator described by Subsection (c) and shall project the state |
|
standards for each indicator for the following two school years. |
|
The commissioner shall periodically raise the state standards for |
|
the student achievement indicator described by Subsection |
|
(c)(1)(B)(i) for accreditation as necessary to reach the goals of |
|
achieving, by not later than the 2019-2020 school year: |
|
(1) student performance in this state, disaggregated |
|
by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, that ranks nationally |
|
in the top 10 states in terms of college readiness; and |
|
(2) student performance, [including the percentage of
|
|
students graduating under the recommended or advanced high school
|
|
program,] with no significant achievement gaps by race, ethnicity, |
|
and socioeconomic status. |
|
(j) Indicators of student achievement adopted under this |
|
section may not include the results of an end-of-course assessment |
|
instrument other than as provided by Subsection (c)(1). |
|
SECTION 16. Section 39.054(b-1), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(b-1) Consideration of the effectiveness of district |
|
programs under Section 39.052(b)(2)(B) or (C): |
|
(1) must: |
|
(A) be based on data collected through the Public |
|
Education Information Management System (PEIMS) for purposes of |
|
accountability under this chapter; and |
|
(B) include the results of assessments required |
|
under Sections [Section] 39.023(a), (b), (l), and (n) and |
|
39.025(a); and |
|
(2) may be based on the results of a special |
|
accreditation investigation conducted under Section 39.057. |
|
SECTION 17. Section 39.057(a), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) The commissioner shall authorize special accreditation |
|
investigations to be conducted: |
|
(1) when excessive numbers of absences of students |
|
eligible to be tested on state assessment instruments are |
|
determined; |
|
(2) when excessive numbers of allowable exemptions |
|
from the required state assessment instruments are determined; |
|
(3) in response to complaints submitted to the agency |
|
with respect to alleged violations of civil rights or other |
|
requirements imposed on the state by federal law or court order; |
|
(4) in response to established compliance reviews of |
|
the district's financial accounting practices and state and federal |
|
program requirements; |
|
(5) when extraordinary numbers of student placements |
|
in disciplinary alternative education programs, other than |
|
placements under Sections 37.006 and 37.007, are determined; |
|
(6) in response to an allegation involving a conflict |
|
between members of the board of trustees or between the board and |
|
the district administration if it appears that the conflict |
|
involves a violation of a role or duty of the board members or the |
|
administration clearly defined by this code; |
|
(7) when excessive numbers of students in special |
|
education programs under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, are assessed |
|
through assessment instruments developed or adopted under Section |
|
39.023(b); |
|
(8) in response to an allegation regarding or an |
|
analysis using a statistical method result indicating a possible |
|
violation of an assessment instrument security procedure |
|
established under Section 39.0301, including for the purpose of |
|
investigating or auditing a school district under that section; |
|
(9) when a significant pattern of decreased academic |
|
performance has developed as a result of the promotion in the |
|
preceding two school years of students who did not perform |
|
satisfactorily as determined by the commissioner under Section |
|
39.0241(a) on assessment instruments administered under Section |
|
39.023(a), (c), or (l); |
|
(10) [when excessive numbers of students graduate
|
|
under the minimum high school program;
|
|
[(11)] when excessive numbers of students eligible to |
|
enroll fail to complete an advanced mathematics [Algebra II] course |
|
or any other advanced course determined by the commissioner [as
|
|
distinguishing between students participating in the recommended
|
|
high school program from students participating in the minimum high
|
|
school program]; |
|
(11) [(12)] when resource allocation practices as |
|
evaluated under Section 39.0821 indicate a potential for |
|
significant improvement in resource allocation; or |
|
(12) [(13)] as the commissioner otherwise determines |
|
necessary. |
|
SECTION 18. Section 39.301(c), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(c) Indicators for reporting purposes must include: |
|
(1) [the percentage of graduating students who meet
|
|
the course requirements established by State Board of Education
|
|
rule for the minimum high school program, the recommended high
|
|
school program, and the advanced high school program;
|
|
[(2)] the results of the SAT, ACT, articulated |
|
postsecondary degree programs described by Section 61.852, and |
|
certified workforce training programs described by Chapter 311, |
|
Labor Code; |
|
(2) [(3)] for students who have failed to perform |
|
satisfactorily, under each performance standard under Section |
|
39.0241, on an assessment instrument required under Section |
|
39.023(a) or 39.025(a) [or (c)], the performance of those students |
|
on subsequent assessment instruments required under those |
|
sections, aggregated by grade level and subject area; |
|
(3) [(4)
for each campus, the number of students,
|
|
disaggregated by major student subpopulations, that agree under
|
|
Section 28.025(b) to take courses under the minimum high school
|
|
program;
|
|
[(5)] the percentage of students, aggregated by grade |
|
level, provided accelerated instruction under Section 28.0211(c), |
|
the results of assessment instruments administered under that |
|
section, the percentage of students promoted through the grade |
|
placement committee process under Section 28.0211, the subject of |
|
the assessment instrument on which each student failed to perform |
|
satisfactorily under each performance standard under Section |
|
39.0241, and the performance of those students in the school year |
|
following that promotion on the assessment instruments required |
|
under Section 39.023; |
|
(4) [(6)] the percentage of students of limited |
|
English proficiency exempted from the administration of an |
|
assessment instrument under Sections 39.027(a)(1) and (2); |
|
(5) [(7)] the percentage of students in a special |
|
education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, assessed through |
|
assessment instruments developed or adopted under Section |
|
39.023(b); |
|
(6) [(8)] the percentage of students who satisfy the |
|
college readiness measure; |
|
(7) [(9)] the measure of progress toward dual language |
|
proficiency under Section 39.034(b), for students of limited |
|
English proficiency, as defined by Section 29.052; |
|
(8) [(10)] the percentage of students who are not |
|
educationally disadvantaged; |
|
(9) [(11)] the percentage of students who enroll and |
|
begin instruction at an institution of higher education in the |
|
school year following high school graduation; and |
|
(10) [(12)] the percentage of students who |
|
successfully complete the first year of instruction at an |
|
institution of higher education without needing a developmental |
|
education course. |
|
SECTION 19. Section 39.305(b), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(b) The report card shall include the following |
|
information: |
|
(1) where applicable, the student achievement |
|
indicators described by Section 39.053(c) and the reporting |
|
indicators described by Sections 39.301(c)(1) through (3) [(5)]; |
|
(2) average class size by grade level and subject; |
|
(3) the administrative and instructional costs per |
|
student, computed in a manner consistent with Section 44.0071; and |
|
(4) the district's instructional expenditures ratio |
|
and instructional employees ratio computed under Section 44.0071, |
|
and the statewide average of those ratios, as determined by the |
|
commissioner. |
|
SECTION 20. Section 42.152(r), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(r) The commissioner shall grant a one-year exemption from |
|
the requirements of Subsections (q)-(q-4) to a school district in |
|
which the group of students who have failed to perform |
|
satisfactorily in the preceding school year on an assessment |
|
instrument required under Section 39.023(a)[, (c),] or (l) or |
|
39.025(a) subsequently performs on those assessment instruments at |
|
a level that meets or exceeds a level prescribed by commissioner |
|
rule. Each year the commissioner, based on the most recent |
|
information available, shall determine if a school district is |
|
entitled to an exemption for the following school year and notify |
|
the district of that determination. |
|
SECTION 21. Section 51.3062(q-1), Education Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(q-1) A student who has completed the foundation [a
|
|
recommended or advanced] high school program as determined under |
|
Section 28.025 and demonstrated the performance standard for |
|
satisfactory performance [college readiness] as provided by |
|
Section 39.0241(a) [39.024] on the [Algebra II and] English III |
|
end-of-course assessment instrument [instruments] is exempt from |
|
the requirements of this section [with respect to those content
|
|
areas]. The commissioner of higher education by rule shall |
|
establish the period for which an exemption under this subsection |
|
is valid. |
|
SECTION 22. Sections 51.803(a) and (d), Education Code, are |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Subject to Subsection (a-1), each general academic |
|
teaching institution shall admit an applicant for admission to the |
|
institution as an undergraduate student if the applicant graduated |
|
with a grade point average in the top 10 percent of the student's |
|
high school graduating class in one of the two school years |
|
preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for |
|
admission and: |
|
(1) the applicant graduated from a public or private |
|
high school in this state accredited by a generally recognized |
|
accrediting organization or from a high school operated by the |
|
United States Department of Defense; |
|
(2) the applicant: |
|
(A) successfully completed: |
|
(i) at a public high school, the curriculum |
|
requirements established under Section 28.025 for the foundation |
|
[recommended or advanced] high school program; or |
|
(ii) at a high school to which Section |
|
28.025 does not apply, a curriculum that is equivalent in content |
|
and rigor to the foundation [recommended or advanced] high school |
|
program; or |
|
(B) satisfied ACT's College Readiness Benchmarks |
|
on the ACT assessment applicable to the applicant or earned on the |
|
SAT assessment a score of at least 1,500 out of 2,400 or the |
|
equivalent; and |
|
(3) if the applicant graduated from a high school |
|
operated by the United States Department of Defense, the applicant |
|
is a Texas resident under Section 54.052 or is entitled to pay |
|
tuition fees at the rate provided for Texas residents under Section |
|
54.241(d) [54.058(d)] for the term or semester to which admitted. |
|
(d) For purposes of Subsection (c)(2), a student's official |
|
transcript or diploma must, not later than the end of the student's |
|
junior year, indicate[:
|
|
[(1)] whether the student has satisfied or is on |
|
schedule to satisfy the requirements of Subsection (a)(2)(A)(i) or |
|
(ii), as applicable[; or
|
|
[(2)
if Subsection (b) applies to the student, whether
|
|
the student has completed the portion of the recommended or
|
|
advanced curriculum or of the curriculum equivalent in content and
|
|
rigor, as applicable, that was available to the student]. |
|
SECTION 23. Section 51.804, Education Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 51.804. ADDITIONAL AUTOMATIC ADMISSIONS: SELECTED |
|
INSTITUTIONS. For each academic year, the governing board of each |
|
general academic teaching institution shall determine whether to |
|
adopt an admissions policy under which an applicant to the |
|
institution as a first-time freshman student, other than an |
|
applicant eligible for admission under Section 51.803, shall be |
|
admitted to the institution if the applicant: |
|
(1) graduated from a public or private high school in |
|
this state accredited by a generally recognized accrediting |
|
organization with a grade point average in the top 25 percent of the |
|
applicant's high school graduating class; and |
|
(2) satisfies the requirements of: |
|
(A) Section 51.803(a)(2)(A) or (B) [51.803(b),
|
|
as applicable to the student, or Section 51.803 (a)(2)(B)]; and |
|
(B) Sections 51.803(c)(2) and 51.803(d). |
|
SECTION 24. Section 51.805(a), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) A graduating student who does not qualify for admission |
|
under Section 51.803 or 51.804 may apply to any general academic |
|
teaching institution if the student satisfies the requirements of: |
|
(1) Section 51.803(a)(2)(A) or (B) [51.803(b), as
|
|
applicable to the student, or Section 51.803(a)(2)(B)]; and |
|
(2) Sections 51.803(c)(2) and 51.803(d). |
|
SECTION 25. Section 51.807(b), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, after |
|
consulting with the Texas Education Agency, by rule shall establish |
|
standards for determining for purposes of this subchapter: |
|
(1) whether a private high school is accredited by a |
|
generally recognized accrediting organization; and |
|
(2) whether a person completed a high school |
|
curriculum that is equivalent in content and rigor to the |
|
curriculum requirements established under Section 28.025 for the |
|
foundation [recommended or advanced] high school program. |
|
SECTION 26. Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 56.009 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 56.009. ELIGIBILITY BASED ON GRADUATION UNDER CERTAIN |
|
HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS. To the extent that a person's eligibility to |
|
participate in any program under this chapter, including |
|
Subchapters K, M, Q, and R, is contingent on the person graduating |
|
under the recommended or advanced high school program, as those |
|
programs existed before the adoption of __.B. No. _____, 83rd |
|
Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, the Texas Higher Education |
|
Coordinating Board and the commissioner of education shall jointly |
|
adopt rules to modify, clarify, or otherwise establish for affected |
|
programs appropriate eligibility requirements regarding high |
|
school curriculum completion. |
|
SECTION 27. Section 61.0517(a), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) In this section, "applied STEM course" means an applied |
|
science, technology, engineering, or mathematics course offered as |
|
part of a school district's career and technology education |
|
curriculum and approved, as provided by Section 28.027, by the |
|
State Board of Education for purposes of satisfying the mathematics |
|
and science curriculum requirements for the foundation |
|
[recommended] high school program [imposed] under Section 28.025 |
|
[28.025(b-1)(1)(A)]. |
|
SECTION 28. Section 61.792(b), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(b) To qualify for a scholarship under this section, a |
|
student must: |
|
(1) have graduated with a grade point average in the |
|
top 20 percent of the student's high school graduating class; |
|
(2) have graduated from high school with a grade point |
|
average of at least 3.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent in |
|
mathematics and science courses offered under the foundation |
|
[recommended or advanced] high school program under Section 28.025 |
|
[28.025(a)]; and |
|
(3) maintain an overall grade point average of at |
|
least 3.0 on a four-point scale at the general academic teaching |
|
institution or the private or independent institution of higher |
|
education in which the student is enrolled. |
|
SECTION 29. Section 61.852(a), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) A tech-prep program is a program of study that: |
|
(1) combines at least two years of secondary education |
|
with at least two years of postsecondary education in a |
|
nonduplicative, sequential course of study based on the foundation |
|
[recommended] high school program adopted by the State Board of |
|
Education under Section 28.025 [28.025(a)]; |
|
(2) integrates academic instruction and vocational |
|
and technical instruction; |
|
(3) uses work-based and worksite learning where |
|
available and appropriate; |
|
(4) provides technical preparation in a career field |
|
such as engineering technology, applied science, a mechanical, |
|
industrial, or practical art or trade, agriculture, health |
|
occupations, business, or applied economics; |
|
(5) builds student competence in mathematics, |
|
science, reading, writing, communications, economics, and |
|
workplace skills through applied, contextual academics and |
|
integrated instruction in a coherent sequence of courses; |
|
(6) leads to an associate degree, two-year |
|
postsecondary certificate, or postsecondary two-year |
|
apprenticeship with provisions, to the extent applicable, for |
|
students to continue toward completion of a baccalaureate degree; |
|
and |
|
(7) leads to placement in appropriate employment or to |
|
further education. |
|
SECTION 30. Section 61.855(d), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(d) A tech-prep program must: |
|
(1) be implemented under an articulation agreement |
|
between the participants in the consortium; |
|
(2) consist of two to four years of secondary school |
|
preceding graduation and: |
|
(A) two or more years of higher education; or |
|
(B) two or more years of apprenticeship following |
|
secondary instruction; |
|
(3) have a common core of required proficiency based |
|
on the foundation [recommended] high school program adopted by the |
|
State Board of Education under Section 28.025 [28.025(a)], with |
|
proficiencies in mathematics, science, reading, writing, |
|
communications, and technologies designed to lead to an associate's |
|
degree or postsecondary certificate in a specific career field; |
|
(4) include the development of tech-prep program |
|
curricula for both secondary and postsecondary participants in the |
|
consortium that: |
|
(A) meets academic standards developed by the |
|
state; |
|
(B) links secondary schools and two-year |
|
postsecondary institutions, and, if practicable, four-year |
|
institutions of higher education through nonduplicative sequences |
|
of courses in career fields, including the investigation of |
|
opportunities for tech-prep students to enroll concurrently in |
|
secondary and postsecondary course work; |
|
(C) uses, if appropriate and available, |
|
work-based or worksite learning in conjunction with business and |
|
all aspects of an industry; and |
|
(D) uses educational technology and distance |
|
learning, as appropriate, to involve each consortium participant |
|
more fully in the development and operation of programs; |
|
(5) include in-service training for teachers that: |
|
(A) is designed to train vocational and technical |
|
teachers to effectively implement tech-prep programs; |
|
(B) provides for joint training for teachers in |
|
the tech-prep consortium; |
|
(C) is designed to ensure that teachers and |
|
administrators stay current with the needs, expectations, and |
|
methods of business and of all aspects of an industry; |
|
(D) focuses on training postsecondary education |
|
faculty in the use of contextual and applied curricula and |
|
instruction; and |
|
(E) provides training in the use and application |
|
of technology; |
|
(6) include training programs for counselors designed |
|
to enable counselors to more effectively: |
|
(A) provide information to students regarding |
|
tech-prep programs; |
|
(B) support student progress in completing |
|
tech-prep programs; |
|
(C) provide information on related employment |
|
opportunities; |
|
(D) ensure that tech-prep students are placed in |
|
appropriate employment; and |
|
(E) stay current with the needs, expectations, |
|
and methods of business and of all aspects of an industry; |
|
(7) provide equal access to the full range of |
|
tech-prep programs for individuals who are members of special |
|
populations, including by the development of tech-prep program |
|
services appropriate to the needs of special populations; and |
|
(8) provide for preparatory services that assist |
|
participants in tech-prep programs. |
|
SECTION 31. Section 61.861(c), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(c) A course developed for purposes of this section must: |
|
(1) provide content that enables a student to develop |
|
the relevant and critical skills needed to be prepared for |
|
employment or additional training in a high-demand occupation; |
|
(2) incorporate college and career readiness skills as |
|
part of the curriculum; |
|
(3) be offered for dual credit; and |
|
(4) satisfy a mathematics or science requirement under |
|
the foundation [recommended or advanced] high school program as |
|
determined under Section 28.025. |
|
SECTION 32. Section 61.864, Education Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 61.864. REVIEW OF COURSES. Courses for which a grant |
|
is awarded under this subchapter shall be reviewed by the |
|
commissioner of higher education and the commissioner of education, |
|
in consultation with the comptroller and the Texas Workforce |
|
Commission, once every four years to determine whether the course: |
|
(1) is being used by public educational institutions |
|
in this state; |
|
(2) prepares high school students with the skills |
|
necessary for employment in the high-demand occupation and further |
|
postsecondary study; and |
|
(3) satisfies a mathematics or science requirement for |
|
the foundation [recommended or advanced] high school program as |
|
determined under Section 28.025. |
|
SECTION 33. Section 78.10(b), Education Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(b) The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science is a |
|
division of The University of Texas at Brownsville and is under the |
|
management and control of the board. The academy serves the |
|
following purposes: |
|
(1) to provide academically gifted and highly |
|
motivated junior and senior high school students with a challenging |
|
university-level curriculum that: |
|
(A) allows students to complete high school |
|
graduation requirements[, including requirements adopted] under |
|
Section 28.025 for the foundation [advanced] high school program, |
|
while attending for academic credit a public institution of higher |
|
education; |
|
(B) fosters students' knowledge of real-world |
|
mathematics and science issues and applications and teaches |
|
students to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to |
|
those issues and problems; |
|
(C) includes the study of English, foreign |
|
languages, social studies, mathematics, science, and technology; |
|
and |
|
(D) offers students learning opportunities |
|
related to mathematics and science through in-depth research and |
|
field-based studies; |
|
(2) to provide students with an awareness of |
|
mathematics and science careers and professional development |
|
opportunities through seminars, workshops, collaboration with |
|
postsecondary and university students including opportunities for |
|
summer studies, internships in foreign countries, and similar |
|
methods; and |
|
(3) to provide students with social development |
|
activities that enrich the academic curriculum and student life, |
|
including, as determined appropriate by the academy, University |
|
Interscholastic League activities and other extracurricular |
|
activities. |
|
SECTION 34. Section 87.505(b), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(b) The Texas Academy of International Studies is a division |
|
of Texas A&M International University and is under the management |
|
and control of the board. The academy serves the following |
|
purposes: |
|
(1) to provide academically gifted and highly |
|
motivated junior and senior high school students with a challenging |
|
university-level curriculum that: |
|
(A) allows students to complete high school |
|
graduation requirements[, including requirements adopted] under |
|
Section 28.025 for the foundation [advanced] high school program, |
|
while attending for academic credit a public institution of higher |
|
education; |
|
(B) fosters students' knowledge of real-world |
|
international issues and problems and teaches students to apply |
|
critical thinking and problem-solving skills to those issues and |
|
problems; |
|
(C) includes the study of English, foreign |
|
languages, social studies, anthropology, and sociology; |
|
(D) is presented through an interdisciplinary |
|
approach that introduces and develops issues, especially issues |
|
related to international concerns, throughout the curriculum; and |
|
(E) offers students learning opportunities |
|
related to international issues through in-depth research and |
|
field-based studies; |
|
(2) to provide students with an awareness of |
|
international career and professional development opportunities |
|
through seminars, workshops, collaboration with postsecondary |
|
students from other countries, summer academic international |
|
studies internships in foreign countries, and similar methods; and |
|
(3) to provide students with social development |
|
activities that enrich the academic curriculum and student life, |
|
including, as determined appropriate by the academy, University |
|
Interscholastic League activities and other extracurricular |
|
activities generally offered by public high schools. |
|
SECTION 35. The following provisions of the Education Code |
|
are repealed: |
|
(1) Section 28.002(q); |
|
(2) Sections 28.025(b-6), (b-8), and (g); |
|
(3) Section 39.023(o); |
|
(4) Sections 39.025(a-2) and (a-3); and |
|
(5) Section 51.803(b). |
|
SECTION 36. Section 39.025, Education Code, as amended by |
|
this Act, as related to reducing end-of-course testing |
|
requirements, applies only to students who entered the ninth grade |
|
during the 2011-2012 or 2012-2013 school year or who will enter the |
|
ninth grade during a later school year. |
|
SECTION 37. 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, 2013. |