BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 165

86R1500 SRS-F

By: Bernal (Powell)

 

Education

 

5/7/2019

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

High school students in Texas are required to select an endorsement in ninth grade. Students choose from among five endorsements, each of which consist of courses that are grouped together by interest area or skill set. Endorsements provide students with in-depth knowledge in one of the following subject areas�STEM, Business and Industry, Public Service, Arts and Humanities, and Multidisciplinary Studies. By earning one of these endorsements, students are able to enter into one of the following graduation programs�the Foundation Program plus an Endorsement, the Distinguished Level of Achievement, or the Performance Level Achievement. Most Texas universities require participation in one of these graduation programs for admission and enrollment.

 

A student enrolled in a special education program is currently unable to earn an endorsement on the student's transcript if the student is administered a modified curriculum. However, parties assert that most students with disabilities, with specially designed instruction and accommodations, can meet the graduation standards targeted for all other students.

 

This bill allows students who are enrolled in special education programs to earn an endorsement on the student�s transcript if they successfully complete the curriculum for the endorsement with or without modification. This bill also requires the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee of a student in a special education program to determine whether the student is required to achieve satisfactory performance on an end-of-course test to earn an endorsement on the student�s transcript.

 

H.B. 165 amends current law relating to providing for endorsements for public high school students enrolled in special education programs.

 

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 Section 28.025, Education Code, by adding Subsections (c-7) and (c-8), as follows:

 

(c-7) Authorizes a student who is enrolled in a special education program under Subchapter A (Special Education Program), Chapter 29, subject to Subsection (c-8), to earn an endorsement on the student's transcript by:

 

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

 

(A) the curriculum requirements identified by the State Board of Education (SBOE) under Subsection (a) (relating to requiring SBOE to determine curriculum requirements for the foundation high school program); and

 

(B) the additional endorsement curriculum requirements prescribed by SBOE under Subsection (c-2) (relating to requiring SBOE to require students to earn endorsements by completing certain courses); and

 

(2) successfully completing all curriculum requirements for that endorsement adopted by SBOE:

 

(A) without modification of the curriculum; or

 

(B) with modification of the curriculum, provided that the curriculum, as modified, is sufficiently rigorous as determined by the student's admission, review, and dismissal committee.

 

(c-8) Requires the admission, review, and dismissal committee of a student in a special education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, for purposes of Subsection (c-7), to 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 transcript.

 

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2019�2020 school year.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.