Texas Senate Bill SB966

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 3/21/11
• Voted on by Senate: 3/24/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/18/11
• Report Pass: 3/21/11
• Voted on by House: 5/23/11
• Engrossed: 3/24/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 4/29/11
• Enrolled: 5/23/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to high school diplomas for certain military veterans.

Impact

The implementation of SB966 would significantly impact state education laws, particularly concerning the issuance of high school diplomas. It introduces a provision that retroactively accommodates veterans, thereby altering the traditional criteria school districts would typically apply when issuing diplomas. This bill recognizes the unique situation faced by veterans who interrupted their education to serve their country, thus ensuring they have the opportunity to earn recognition for their academic achievements despite the challenges they faced during and after their service.

Summary

SB966 is a legislative bill aimed at enabling certain military veterans to receive high school diplomas they were unable to obtain due to their service. Specifically, it allows school districts in Texas to issue diplomas to honorably discharged veterans who were scheduled to graduate between certain years but left school before graduation to serve in military conflicts. These conflicts include major wars such as World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and more recent engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. This initiative is intended to acknowledge and honor the sacrifices made by these individuals and provide them with an educational credential that they may have missed due to their service commitments.

Contention

Discussions around SB966 may involve some points of contention, particularly regarding the criteria for eligibility and the potential implications for current high school students. Some may argue that the bill diverts resources or attention from current students who may be pursuing their diplomas. However, the overall sentiment appears to support the idea of honoring veterans, suggesting that there is a strong community interest in ensuring that those who served have opportunities to obtain their diplomas without being penalized for their military service.