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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to online adult high school diploma programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 29, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 29.0871 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 29.0871. ONLINE ADULT HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA PROGRAMS. |
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(a) The agency shall develop a process by which an eligible |
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provider may apply to the commissioner for authority to operate an |
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online adult high school diploma program for eligible students to |
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obtain a high school diploma. An eligible provider must be |
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accredited by a research-based, nationally recognized, and |
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universally accessible accreditation system approved by the |
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commissioner. |
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(b) Any eligible provider may apply for authorization to |
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operate an online adult high school diploma program under this |
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section. As part of the application process, the commissioner shall |
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require an eligible provider to provide information regarding the |
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operation of any similar program during the preceding five years. |
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(c) A student is eligible to participate in an online adult |
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high school diploma program authorized under this section if the |
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student: |
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(1) resides in this state; |
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(2) is 19 years of age or older; |
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(3) was unable to satisfy the high school graduation |
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requirements in place at the time the student would have normally |
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graduated from high school; |
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(4) is unable to satisfy the high school graduation |
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requirements of any other program offered under this title; and |
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(5) meets any other requirements as determined by the |
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commissioner. |
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(d) A student participating in an online adult high school |
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diploma program authorized under this section must have taken the |
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appropriate end-of-course assessment instruments specified by |
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Section 39.023(c) before entering the program and must take each |
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appropriate end-of-course assessment instrument administered |
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during the period in which the student is enrolled in the program. |
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(e) A student enrolled in an online adult high school |
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diploma program authorized under this section may not participate |
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in a competition or other activity sanctioned or conducted by the |
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University Interscholastic League. |
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(f) A student who enrolls in an online adult high school |
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diploma program authorized under this section is entitled to the |
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benefits of the Foundation School Program under Section 42.003 in |
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the same manner as any other student who has not received a high |
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school diploma. |
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(g) For purposes of funding under Chapters 41, 42, and 46, a |
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student attending an online adult high school diploma program |
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authorized under this section may be counted in attendance only for |
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the actual number of hours each school day the student attends the |
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program, in accordance with Section 25.081. |
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(h) The commissioner may revoke a provider's authorization |
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to operate an online adult high school diploma program under this |
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section after consideration of relevant factors, including student |
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performance on assessment instruments required under Chapter 39, |
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the percentage of students who complete the program and earn a high |
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school diploma, and other criteria adopted by the commissioner. A |
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decision by the commissioner under this subsection is final and may |
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not be appealed. |
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(i) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this |
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section. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the commissioner of education shall adopt rules |
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necessary to implement Section 29.0871, Education Code, as added by |
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this Act. |
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SECTION 3. 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, 2019. |