84R12067 PAM-F

By: Bernal H.B. No. 3417

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to providing for endorsements for public high school students enrolled in special education programs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 28.025, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsections (c-7) and (c-8) to read as follows:

(c-7) Subject to Subsection (c-8), a student who is enrolled in a special education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, may earn an endorsement on the student's diploma and transcript by:

(1) successfully completing, with or without modification of the curriculum:

(A) the curriculum requirements identified by the State Board of Education under Subsection (a); and

(B) the additional endorsement curriculum requirements prescribed by the State Board of Education under Subsection (c-2); and

(2) successfully completing, with or without modification of the curriculum, all curriculum requirements for that endorsement adopted by the State Board of Education if the courses are part of a coherent sequence of coursework that lead to a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license.

(c-8) For purposes of Subsection (c-7), the admission, review, and dismissal committee of a student in a special education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, shall determine whether the student is required to achieve satisfactory performance on an end-of-course assessment instrument to earn an endorsement on the student's diploma and transcript.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016 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, 2015.