81R10485 CAS-F By: Eissler H.B. No. 3420 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to computation of a public high school student's grade point average. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 28.0252(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) If the commissioner develops a standard method under this section, a school district shall use the standard method to compute a student's high school grade point average[, except that to the extent of a conflict between that method and the method adopted under Section 51.807, the student's grade point average computed in accordance with the method established under Section 51.807 shall be used in determining the student's eligibility for university admission under Subchapter U, Chapter 51]. SECTION 2. Section 51.807, Education Code, as amended by Chapters 941 (H.B. 3826) and 1369 (H.B. 3851), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, is reenacted and amended to read as follows: Sec. 51.807. RULEMAKING. [(a) To ensure a uniform standard for admissions under this subchapter, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt rules establishing a standard method for computing a student's high school grade point average. The method established under this subsection: [(1) must: [(A) be based on a four-point scale; and [(B) assign additional weight for each honors course, advanced placement course, international baccalaureate course, or dual credit course completed by the student as the board considers appropriate, taking into consideration the academic rigor of each course completed by the student; and [(2) may result in a student having a grade point average higher than 4.0 on a four-point scale as a result of the assignment of additional weight for one or more courses completed by a student under Subdivision (1)(B). [(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, after consulting with the Texas Education Agency, by rule shall establish standards for determining for purposes of this subchapter: [(1) whether a private high school is accredited by a generally recognized accrediting organization; and [(2) whether a person completed a high school curriculum that is equivalent in content and rigor to the curriculum requirements established under Section 28.025 for the recommended or advanced high school program. [(c)] The board may adopt [other] rules relating to the operation of admissions programs under this subchapter[, including rules relating to the identification of eligible students. [(d) The standard method established under Subsection (a) for computing a student's high school grade point average applies to computing the grade point average of a student applying as a first-time freshman for admission to a general academic teaching institution beginning with admissions for the 2009 fall semester. This subsection expires January 1, 2010]. SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies beginning with admissions to a general academic teaching institution for the 2010-2011 academic year. Admissions for an academic period preceding that academic year are covered by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the prior law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.