81R2282 CAS-D
By: Olivo H.B. No. 154
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the requirements for a public high school diploma.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 28.025(c) and (d), Education Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(c) A person may receive a diploma if the person is eligible
for a diploma under Section 28.0251. In other cases, a student may
graduate and receive a diploma only if:
(1) the student successfully completes the curriculum
requirements identified by the State Board of Education under
Subsection (a) and:
(A) complies with Section 39.025; or
(B) meets the alternative graduation criteria
prescribed under Section 28.0253; or
(2) the student successfully completes an
individualized education program developed under Section 29.005.
(d) A school district may issue a certificate of coursework
completion to a student who successfully completes the curriculum
requirements identified by the State Board of Education under
Subsection (a) but who fails to comply with Section 39.025 or the
alternative graduation criteria under Section 28.0253. A school
district may allow a student who receives a certificate to
participate in a graduation ceremony with students receiving high
school diplomas.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 28.0253 to read as follows:
Sec. 28.0253. ALTERNATIVE GRADUATION CRITERIA. (a) The
commissioner by rule shall prescribe alternative graduation
criteria that a student may meet to graduate and receive a diploma
without complying with Section 39.025. The alternative graduation
criteria must compensate for a student's failure to achieve in a
subject the cumulative score required under Section 39.025. To the
extent applicable, the alternative graduation criteria must
include a student's:
(1) grade point average beginning in grade 9;
(2) current class ranking;
(3) performance on the assessment instruments
required under Section 39.025 to be administered to the student,
including a consideration of whether extenuating circumstances may
have adversely affected the student's performance; and
(4) overall academic performance beginning in grade 9,
as evaluated by two or more of the student's teachers.
(b) A committee composed of the student's high school
principal or the principal's designee and two certified teachers in
the student's school district who teach at the high school level
shall determine whether a student who has not complied with Section
39.025 has met the alternative graduation criteria prescribed under
Subsection (a). The commissioner shall adopt rules relating to the
selection and operation of a committee under this subsection.
(c) A committee established under Subsection (b) shall
determine whether a student who has not complied with Section
39.025 has met the alternative graduation criteria prescribed under
Subsection (a):
(1) on written request of the student's parent or
guardian, not more than one time per school year following the
administration to the student at least once of each assessment
instrument required under Section 39.025 to be administered to the
student; and
(2) when the principal of the student's high school, or
the principal's designee, determines that the student is within one
month of completing each requirement for a high school diploma
other than compliance with Section 39.025.
SECTION 3. (a) Section 28.025, Education Code, as amended
by this Act, and Section 28.0253, Education Code, as added by this
Act, apply beginning with the 2011-2012 school year.
(b) Not later than June 1, 2011, the commissioner of
education shall adopt rules as required by Sections 28.0253(a) and
(b), Education Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4. 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, 2009.