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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to inclusion of a civics test in the graduation |
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requirements for public high school students. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 28.025(c), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(c) A person may receive a diploma if the person is eligible |
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for a diploma under Section 28.0251. In other cases, a student may |
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graduate and receive a diploma only if: |
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(1) the student successfully completes the curriculum |
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requirements identified by the State Board of Education under |
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Subsection (a) and complies with Sections 28.0259 and [Section] |
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39.025; or |
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(2) the student successfully completes an |
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individualized education program developed under Section 29.005. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 28.0259 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 28.0259. CIVICS TEST. (a) The commissioner shall |
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adopt rules requiring a student in the foundation high school |
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program under Section 28.025 to be administered a civics test. A |
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student may not receive a high school diploma until the student has |
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performed satisfactorily on the civics test. |
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(b) The civics test is composed of all or a portion of the |
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questions on the civics test administered by the United States |
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Citizenship and Immigration Services as part of the naturalization |
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process under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. |
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Section 1101 et seq.). |
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(c) The commissioner by rule shall determine: |
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(1) the length and format of the test; |
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(2) the high school grade level or levels at which the |
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test may be taken; and |
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(3) the score that indicates satisfactory |
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performance. |
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SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with students who |
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enter the ninth grade during the 2015-2016 school year. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |