Texas House Bill HB5 Introduced / Bill

                    83R6400 PAM-D
 By: Aycock H.B. No. 5


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to public school accountability, including assessment,
 and curriculum requirements.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  (a) Section 7.062(e), Education Code, is amended
 to read as follows:
 (e)  The rules must:
 (1)  limit the amount of assistance provided through a
 grant to not more than:
 (A)  for a construction project, $200 per square
 foot of the science laboratory to be constructed; or
 (B)  for a renovation project, $100 per square
 foot of the science laboratory to be renovated;
 (2)  require a school district to demonstrate, as a
 condition of eligibility for a grant, that the existing district
 science laboratories are insufficient in number to comply with the
 curriculum requirements imposed for the foundation [recommended
 and advanced] high school program [programs] under Section 28.025
 [28.025(b-1)(1)]; and
 (3)  provide for ranking school districts that apply
 for grants on the basis of wealth per student and giving priority in
 the award of grants to districts with low wealth per student.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 2.  (a) Section 28.002(f), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (f)  A school district may offer courses for local credit in
 addition to those in the required curriculum. The State Board of
 Education shall be flexible in approving a course for credit for
 high school graduation under this subsection. A district may also
 offer courses for local credit without obtaining State Board of
 Education approval if:
 (1)  the district develops a program under which the
 district partners with a public or private institution of higher
 education and local business and community leaders to develop and
 provide the courses; and
 (2)  the courses prepare students to enter:
 (A)  a career or technology training program in
 the district's region of the state; or
 (B)  an institution of higher education without
 remediation.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 3.  (a) Sections 28.014(a), (c), and (f), Education
 Code, are amended to read as follows:
 (a)  The commissioner of education and the commissioner of
 higher education shall develop and recommend to the State Board of
 Education for adoption under Section 28.002 the essential knowledge
 and skills of courses in college preparatory mathematics, science,
 social studies, and English language arts.  The courses must be
 designed:
 (1)  for students at the 12th grade level who do not
 meet college readiness standards on an end-of-course assessment
 instrument required under Section 39.023(c) or an end-of-course
 assessment instrument adopted under Section 39.023(c-2); and
 (2)  to prepare students for success in entry-level
 college courses.
 (c)  The agency, in consultation with the Texas Higher
 Education Coordinating Board, shall adopt an end-of-course
 assessment instrument for each course developed under this section
 to ensure the rigor of the course.  A school district shall, in
 accordance with State Board of Education rules, administer the
 end-of-course assessment instrument to a student enrolled in a
 course developed under this section. A [Each] school district may
 [shall] adopt a policy that requires a student's performance on the
 end-of-course assessment instrument to be considered in
 determining [account for 15 percent of] the student's final grade
 for the course.  [A student's performance on an end-of-course
 assessment instrument administered under this subsection may be
 used, on a scale of 0-40, in calculating whether the student
 satisfies the graduation requirements established under Section
 39.025.]
 (f)  To the extent applicable, the commissioner shall draw
 from curricula and instructional materials developed under Section
 [Sections] 28.008 [and 61.0763] in developing a course and related
 instructional materials under this section.  Not later than
 September 1, 2010, the State Board of Education shall adopt
 essential knowledge and skills for each course developed under this
 section.  The State Board of Education shall make each course
 developed under this section and the related instructional
 materials available to school districts not later than the
 2014-2015 school year.  [As required by Subsection (c), a school
 district shall adopt a policy requiring a student's performance on
 an end-of-course assessment instrument administered under that
 subsection to account for 15 percent of the student's grade for a
 course developed under this section not later than the 2014-2015
 school year.]  This subsection expires September 1, 2015.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 4.  (a) Section 28.014(b), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b)  A student who successfully completes a course developed
 under this section may use the credit earned in the course toward
 satisfying the applicable mathematics or science curriculum
 requirement for the foundation [recommended or advanced] high
 school program under Section 28.025.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 5.  (a) Section 28.025, Education Code, is amended
 by amending Subsections (a), (b), (b-1), (b-2), (b-3), (b-4),
 (b-5), (b-7), (b-9), (b-10), (b-11), and (e) and adding Subsections
 (b-12), (c-1), (c-2), (e-1), (h), and (h-1) to read as follows:
 (a)  The State Board of Education by rule shall determine
 curriculum requirements for the foundation [minimum, recommended,
 and advanced] high school program [programs] that are consistent
 with the required curriculum under Section 28.002. The [Subject to
 Subsection (b-1), the] State Board of Education shall designate the
 specific courses in the foundation curriculum under Section
 28.002(a)(1) required under [for a student participating in] the
 foundation [minimum, recommended, or advanced] high school
 program.  Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), the State Board of
 Education may not designate a specific course or a specific number
 of credits in the enrichment curriculum as requirements for the
 [recommended] program.
 (b)  A school district shall ensure that each student enrolls
 in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements
 identified by the State Board of Education under Subsection (a) for
 the foundation [recommended or advanced] high school program
 [unless the student, the student's parent or other person standing
 in parental relation to the student, and a school counselor or
 school administrator agree in writing signed by each party that the
 student should be permitted to take courses under the minimum high
 school program and the student:
 [(1)  is at least 16 years of age;
 [(2)     has completed two credits required for graduation
 in each subject of the foundation curriculum under Section
 28.002(a)(1); or
 [(3)     has failed to be promoted to the tenth grade one
 or more times as determined by the school district].
 (b-1)  The State Board of Education by rule shall require
 that [:
 [(1)  except as provided by Subsection (b-2),] the
 curriculum requirements for the foundation [recommended and
 advanced] high school program [programs] under Subsection (a)
 include a requirement that students successfully complete:
 (1) [(A)]  four credits in English language arts [each
 subject of the foundation curriculum] under Section
 28.002(a)(1)(A), including one credit in English I, one credit in
 English II, one credit in English III, and one credit in an advanced
 English course authorized under Subsection (b-2);
 (2)  three credits in mathematics under Section
 28.002(a)(1)(B), including one credit in Algebra I, one credit in
 geometry, and one credit in any advanced mathematics course
 authorized under Subsection (b-2);
 (3)  two credits in science under Section
 28.002(a)(1)(C), including one credit in biology and one credit in
 integrated physics and chemistry or any advanced science course
 authorized under Subsection (b-2);
 (4)  three credits in social studies under Section
 28.002(a)(1)(D) [28.002(a)(1)], including one credit in world
 geography, one credit in United States history, and at least
 one-half credit in government and at least one-half credit in
 economics [to meet the social studies requirement];
 (5)  except as provided under Subsection (b-12)
 [(B)  for the recommended high school program], two credits in the
 same language in a language other than English under Section
 28.002(a)(2)(A) [and, for the advanced high school program, three
 credits in the same language in a language other than English under
 Section 28.002(a)(2)(A)]; [and]
 (6)  eight [(C)     for the recommended high school
 program, six] elective credits [and, for the advanced high school
 program, five elective credits];
 (7) [(2)     one or more credits offered in the required
 curriculum for the recommended and advanced high school programs
 include a research writing component; and
 [(3)     the curriculum requirements for the minimum,
 recommended, and advanced high school programs under Subsection (a)
 include a requirement that students successfully complete:
 [(A)]  one credit in fine arts under Section
 28.002(a)(2)(D); and
 (8) [(B)]  except as provided by Subsection (b-11), one
 credit in physical education under Section 28.002(a)(2)(C).
 (b-2)  In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State
 Board of Education shall provide for [allow] a student to comply
 with the curriculum requirements for an advanced English course
 under Subsection (b-1)(1) taken after successful completion of
 English I, English II, and English III, for an advanced [a]
 mathematics course under Subsection (b-1)(2) [(b-1)(1)] taken
 after the successful completion of Algebra I and geometry, and for
 an advanced [either after the successful completion of or
 concurrently with Algebra II or a] science course under Subsection
 (b-1)(3) [(b-1)(1) taken after the successful completion of biology
 and chemistry and either after the successful completion of or
 concurrently with physics] by successfully completing a course in
 the appropriate content area that has been approved as an advanced
 course by board rule or that is offered as an advanced course for
 local credit without board approval as provided by Section
 28.002(f) [career and technical course designated by the State
 Board of Education as containing substantively similar and rigorous
 academic content.     A student may use the option provided by this
 subsection for not more than two courses].
 (b-3)  In adopting rules for purposes of Subsection (b-2) [to
 provide students with the option described by Subsection
 (b-1)(1)(A)], the State Board of Education must approve a variety
 of advanced English, mathematics, and science courses that may be
 taken [after the completion of Algebra II and physics] to comply
 with the foundation high school [recommended] program
 requirements.
 (b-4)  A school district may offer the curriculum described
 in Subsections (b-1)(1) through (4) [Subsection (b-1)(1)(A)] in an
 applied manner.  Courses delivered in an applied manner must cover
 the essential knowledge and skills, and the student shall be
 administered the applicable end-of-course assessment instrument as
 provided by Sections 39.023(c) and 39.025.
 (b-5)  A school district may offer a mathematics or science
 course to be taken by a student after completion of Algebra II and
 physics [to comply with the recommended program requirements in
 Subsection (b-1)(1)(A)].  A course approved under this subsection
 must be endorsed by an institution of higher education as a course
 for which the institution would award course credit or as a
 prerequisite for a course for which the institution would award
 course credit.
 (b-7)  The State Board of Education, in coordination with the
 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall adopt rules to
 ensure that a student may comply with the curriculum requirements
 under the foundation [minimum, recommended, or advanced] high
 school program for each subject of the foundation curriculum under
 Section 28.002(a)(1) and for languages other than English under
 Section 28.002(a)(2)(A) by successfully completing appropriate
 courses in the core curriculum of an institution of higher
 education under Section 61.822.
 (b-9)  The agency shall establish a pilot program allowing a
 student attending school in a county with a population of more than
 one million and in which more than 75 percent of the population
 resides in a single municipality to satisfy the fine arts credit
 required under Subsection (b-1)(7) [(b-1)(3)(A)] by participating
 in a fine arts program not provided by the school district in which
 the student is enrolled.  The fine arts program may be provided on
 or off a school campus and outside the regular school day. [Not
 later than December 1, 2010, the agency shall provide to the
 legislature a report regarding the pilot program, including the
 feasibility of expanding the pilot program statewide.]
 (b-10)  A school district, with the approval of the
 commissioner, may allow a student to comply with the curriculum
 requirements for the physical education credit required under
 Subsection (b-1)(8) [(b-1)(3)(B)] by participating in a private or
 commercially sponsored physical activity program provided on or off
 a school campus and outside the regular school day.
 (b-11)  In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State
 Board of Education shall allow a student who is unable to
 participate in physical activity due to disability or illness to
 substitute one credit in English language arts, mathematics,
 science, or social studies or one academic elective credit for the
 physical education credit required under Subsection (b-1)(8)
 [(b-1)(3)(B)].  A credit allowed to be substituted under this
 subsection may not also be used by the student to satisfy a
 graduation requirement other than completion of the physical
 education credit.  The rules must provide that the determination
 regarding a student's ability to participate in physical activity
 will be made by:
 (1)  if the student receives special education services
 under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, the student's admission, review,
 and dismissal committee;
 (2)  if the student does not receive special education
 services under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, but is covered by Section
 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794), the
 committee established for the student under that Act; or
 (3)  if each of the committees described by
 Subdivisions (1) and (2) is inapplicable, a committee established
 by the school district of persons with appropriate knowledge
 regarding the student.
 (b-12)  In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State
 Board of Education shall adopt criteria to allow a student to comply
 with the curriculum requirements for the two credits in a language
 other than English required under Subsection (b-1)(5) by
 substituting two credits in American Sign Language or two credits
 in computer programming languages.
 (c-1)  A student may earn an endorsement on the student's
 diploma and transcript by successfully completing curriculum
 requirements for that endorsement adopted by the State Board of
 Education by rule. An endorsement under this subsection may be
 earned in any of the following categories:
 (1)  science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
 (STEM), which includes courses directly related to science,
 including environmental science, technology, engineering, and
 advanced mathematics;
 (2)  business and industry, which includes courses
 directly related to database management, information technology,
 communications, accounting, finance, marketing, graphic design,
 architecture, construction, welding, logistics, automotive
 technology, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning;
 (3)  public services, which includes courses directly
 related to health sciences and occupations, education and training,
 law enforcement, culinary arts and hospitality, and agricultural
 science; and
 (4)  arts and humanities, which includes courses
 directly related to political science, world languages, cultural
 studies, English literature, history, and fine arts.
 (c-2)  A student may earn a distinguished performance
 acknowledgment on the student's diploma and transcript by
 satisfying the requirements for that acknowledgment adopted by the
 State Board of Education by rule. An acknowledgment under this
 subsection may be earned:
 (1)  for outstanding performance:
 (A)  in a dual credit course;
 (B)  on a college advanced placement test or
 international baccalaureate examination; or
 (C)  on a Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test
 (PSAT), a preliminary American College Test (ACT), the Scholastic
 Assessment Test (SAT), or the American College Test (ACT); or
 (2)  for earning a nationally or internationally
 recognized business or industry certification or license.
 (e)  Each school district shall report the academic
 achievement record of students who have completed the foundation [a
 minimum, recommended, or advanced] high school program on
 transcript forms adopted by the State Board of Education. The
 transcript forms adopted by the board must be designed to clearly
 [differentiate between each of the high school programs and]
 identify whether a student received a diploma or a certificate of
 coursework completion.
 (e-1)  A school district shall clearly indicate an
 endorsement described by Subsection (c-1) and a distinguished
 performance acknowledgment described by Subsection (c-2) on the
 diploma and transcript of a student who satisfies the applicable
 requirements. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules as
 necessary to administer this subsection.
 (h)  The commissioner by rule shall adopt a transition plan
 to implement and administer the amendments made by __. B. No. __,
 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, replacing the minimum,
 recommended, and advanced high school programs with the foundation
 high school program beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.
 Under the transition plan, a student who entered the ninth grade
 before the 2014-2015 school year must be permitted to complete the
 curriculum requirements required for high school graduation under:
 (1)  the foundation high school program, if the student
 chooses during the 2014-2015 school year to take courses under this
 program;
 (2)  the minimum high school program, as that program
 existed before the adoption of __.B. No. __, 83rd Legislature,
 Regular Session, 2013, if the student was participating in that
 program before the 2014-2015 school year;
 (3)  the recommended high school program, as that
 program existed before the adoption of __.B. No. __, 83rd
 Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, if the student was
 participating in that program before the 2014-2015 school year; or
 (4)  the advanced high school program, as that program
 existed before the adoption of __.B. No. __, 83rd Legislature,
 Regular Session, 2013, if the student was participating in that
 program before the 2014-2015 school year.
 (h-1)  This subsection and Subsection (h) expire September
 1, 2018.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 6.  (a) Section 28.0253(e), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (e)  A student who receives a high school diploma through the
 pilot program is considered to have completed the foundation
 [recommended] high school program adopted under Section 28.025
 [28.025(a)].  The student is not guaranteed admission to any
 institution of higher education or to any academic program at an
 institution of higher education solely on the basis of having
 received the diploma through the program.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 7.  (a)  Section 28.027(b), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b)  The State Board of Education shall establish a process
 under which an applied STEM course may be reviewed and approved for
 purposes of satisfying the mathematics and science curriculum
 requirements for the foundation [recommended] high school program
 [imposed] under Section 28.025 [28.025(b-1)(1)(A)] through
 substitution of the applied STEM course for a specific mathematics
 or science course otherwise authorized [required] under the
 foundation [recommended] high school program [and completed during
 the student's fourth year of mathematics or science course work].
 The State Board of Education may only approve a course to substitute
 for a mathematics course taken after successful completion of
 Algebra I and geometry and after successful completion of or
 concurrently with Algebra II.  The State Board of Education may only
 approve a course to substitute for a science course taken after
 successful completion of biology [and chemistry and after
 successful completion of or concurrently with physics].
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 8.  (a) Section 29.0821(a), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a)  A school district may provide a flexible year program
 for students who did not or are likely not to perform successfully
 on an assessment instrument administered under Section 39.023(a),
 (c), or (l) [39.023] or who would not otherwise be promoted to the
 next grade level.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 9.  (a) Section 29.096(e), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (e)  The commissioner shall establish minimum standards for
 a local collaborative agreement, including a requirement that the
 agreement must be signed by an authorized school district or
 open-enrollment charter school officer and an authorized
 representative of each of the other participating entities that is
 a partner in the collaboration. The program must:
 (1)  limit participation in the program to students
 authorized to participate by a parent or other person standing in
 parental relationship;
 (2)  have as a primary goal graduation from high school
 [under at least the recommended high school program];
 (3)  provide for local businesses or other employers to
 offer paid employment or internship opportunities and advanced
 career and vocational training;
 (4)  include an outreach component and a lead
 educational staff member to identify and involve eligible students
 and public and private entities in participating in the program;
 (5)  serve a population of students of which at least 50
 percent are identified as students at risk of dropping out of
 school, as described by Section 29.081(d);
 (6)  allocate not more than 15 percent of grant funds
 and matching funds, as determined by the commissioner, to
 administrative expenses;
 (7)  include matching funds from any of the
 participating entities; and
 (8)  include any other requirements as determined by
 the council.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 10.  (a)  Section 29.402(b), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b)  A person who is under 26 years of age is eligible to
 enroll in a dropout recovery program under this subchapter if the
 person:
 (1)  must complete not more than three course credits
 to complete the curriculum requirements for the foundation
 [minimum, recommended, or advanced] high school program[, as
 appropriate,] for high school graduation; or
 (2)  has failed to perform satisfactorily on an
 end-of-course assessment instrument administered under Section
 39.023(c) or an assessment instrument administered under Section
 39.023(c) as that section existed before amendment by Chapter 1312
 (S.B. 1031), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 11.  (a)  Section 29.904(d), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (d)  A plan developed under this section:
 (1)  must establish clear, achievable goals for
 increasing the percentage of the school district's graduating
 seniors, particularly the graduating seniors attending a high
 school described by Subsection (a), who enroll in an institution of
 higher education for the academic year following graduation;
 (2)  must establish an accurate method of measuring
 progress toward the goals established under Subdivision (1) that
 may include the percentage of district high school students and the
 percentage of students attending a district high school described
 by Subsection (a) who:
 (A)  are enrolled in a course for which a student
 may earn college credit, such as an advanced placement or
 international baccalaureate course or a course offered through
 concurrent enrollment in high school and at an institution of
 higher education;
 (B)  are enrolled in courses that meet the
 curriculum requirements for the foundation [recommended or
 advanced] high school program as determined under Section 28.025;
 (C)  have submitted a free application for federal
 student aid (FAFSA);
 (D)  are exempt under Section 51.3062(p) or (q)
 from administration of an assessment instrument under Section
 51.3062 or have performed successfully on an assessment instrument
 under Section 51.3062;
 (E)  graduate from high school;
 (F)  graduate from an institution of higher
 education; and
 (G)  have taken college entrance examinations and
 the average score of those students on the examinations;
 (3)  must cover a period of at least five years; and
 (4)  may be directed at district students at any level
 of primary or secondary education.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 12.  (a) Section 30A.110(b), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b)  Each student enrolled under this chapter in an
 electronic course offered through the state virtual school network
 must take any assessment instrument under Section 39.023(a), (b),
 (c), or (l) [39.023] that is administered to students who are
 provided instruction in the course material in the traditional
 classroom setting.  The administration of the assessment
 instrument to the student enrolled in the electronic course must be
 supervised by a proctor.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 13.  (a)  Section 33.007(b), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b)  During the first school year a student is enrolled in a
 high school or at the high school level in an open-enrollment
 charter school, and again during a student's senior year, a
 counselor shall provide information about higher education to the
 student and the student's parent or guardian.  The information must
 include information regarding:
 (1)  the importance of higher education;
 (2)  [the advantages of completing the recommended or
 advanced high school program adopted under Section 28.025(a);
 [(3)]  the disadvantages of taking courses to prepare
 for a high school equivalency examination relative to the benefits
 of taking courses leading to a high school diploma;
 (3) [(4)]  financial aid eligibility;
 (4) [(5)]  instruction on how to apply for federal
 financial aid;
 (5) [(6)]  the center for financial aid information
 established under Section 61.0776;
 (6) [(7)]  the automatic admission of certain students
 to general academic teaching institutions as provided by Section
 51.803;
 (7) [(8)]  the eligibility and academic performance
 requirements for the TEXAS Grant as provided by Subchapter M,
 Chapter 56; and
 (8) [(9)]  the availability of programs in the district
 under which a student may earn college credit, including advanced
 placement programs, dual credit programs, joint high school and
 college credit programs, and international baccalaureate programs.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 14.  (a) Section 33.0812(a), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a)  The State Board of Education by rule shall prohibit
 participation in a University Interscholastic League area,
 regional, or state competition:
 (1)  on Monday through Thursday of the school week in
 which the primary administration of assessment instruments under
 Section 39.023(a), (c), (c-2), or (l) occurs; or
 (2)  if the primary administration of the assessment
 instruments is completed before Thursday of the school week,
 beginning on Monday and ending on the last school day on which the
 assessment instruments are administered.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 15.  (a) Sections 39.023(c), (c-2), and (c-3),
 Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
 (c)  The agency shall also adopt end-of-course assessment
 instruments for secondary-level courses in Algebra I, [Algebra II,
 geometry,] biology, [chemistry, physics, English I,] English II,
 [English III, world geography, world history,] and United States
 history.  The Algebra I[, Algebra II, and geometry] end-of-course
 assessment instrument [instruments] must be administered with the
 aid of technology.  A school district shall comply with State Board
 of Education rules regarding administration of the assessment
 instruments listed in this subsection and may [shall] adopt a
 policy that requires a student's performance on an end-of-course
 assessment instrument for a course listed in this subsection in
 which the student is enrolled to be considered in determining
 [account for 15 percent of] the student's final grade for the
 course.  [If a student retakes an end-of-course assessment
 instrument for a course listed in this subsection, as provided by
 Section 39.025, a school district is not required to use the
 student's performance on the subsequent administration or
 administrations of the assessment instrument to determine the
 student's final grade for the course.]  If a student is in a special
 education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, the student's
 admission, review, and dismissal committee shall determine whether
 any allowable modification is necessary in administering to the
 student an assessment instrument required under this subsection.
 The State Board of Education shall administer the assessment
 instruments.  The State Board of Education shall adopt a schedule
 for the administration of end-of-course assessment instruments
 specified in this subsection and Subsection (c-2) that complies
 with the requirements of Subsection (c-3).
 (c-2)  The agency shall also adopt end-of-course assessment
 instruments for secondary-level courses in Algebra II and English
 III, which shall be administered to a student at the student's
 option. The Algebra II end-of-course assessment instrument must be
 administered with the aid of technology.  A school district shall
 comply with State Board of Education rules regarding administration
 of the Algebra II and English III end-of-course assessment
 instruments. [The agency may adopt end-of-course assessment
 instruments for courses not listed in Subsection (c).]  A student's
 performance on an end-of-course assessment instrument adopted
 under this subsection is not subject to the performance
 requirements established under Subsection (c) or Section 39.025.
 (c-3)  In adopting a schedule for the administration of
 assessment instruments under this section, the State Board of
 Education [shall require]:
 (1)  shall require assessment instruments administered
 under Subsection (a) to be administered on a schedule so that the
 first assessment instrument is administered at least two weeks
 later than the date on which the first assessment instrument was
 administered under Subsection (a) during the 2006-2007 school year;
 [and]
 (2)  shall require the spring administration of
 end-of-course assessment instruments under Subsection (c) or the
 end-of-course assessment instrument in Algebra II under Subsection
 (c-2) to occur in each school district not earlier than the first
 full week in May, except that the spring administration of the
 end-of-course assessment instruments in [English I,] English II[,
 and English III] must be permitted to occur at an earlier date; and
 (3)  shall permit the spring administration of the
 end-of-course assessment instruments in English III under
 Subsection (c-2) to occur earlier than the first full week in May.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 16.  (a) Sections 39.0233(a) and (b), Education
 Code, are amended to read as follows:
 (a)  The agency, in coordination with the Texas Higher
 Education Coordinating Board, shall adopt a series of questions to
 be included in an end-of-course assessment instrument administered
 under Sections [Section] 39.023(c) and (c-2) to be used for
 purposes of Section 51.3062. The questions adopted under this
 subsection must be developed in a manner consistent with any
 college readiness standards adopted under Sections 39.113 and
 51.3062.
 (b)  In addition to the questions adopted under Subsection
 (a), the agency shall adopt a series of questions to be included in
 an end-of-course assessment instrument administered under Sections
 [Section] 39.023(c) and (c-2) to be used for purposes of
 identifying students who are likely to succeed in an advanced high
 school course. A school district shall notify a student who
 performs at a high level on the questions adopted under this
 subsection and the student's parent or guardian of the student's
 performance and potential to succeed in an advanced high school
 course. A school district may not require a student to perform at a
 particular level on the questions adopted under this subsection in
 order to be eligible to enroll in an advanced high school course.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 17.  (a) Section 39.024(b), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b)  The agency and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
 Board shall ensure that the Algebra II and English III
 end-of-course assessment instruments adopted [required] under
 Section 39.023(c-2) [39.023(c)] are developed to be capable of,
 beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, measuring college
 readiness.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 18.  (a) Section 39.0241(a-2), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a-2)  For the purpose of establishing performance across
 grade levels, the commissioner shall establish:
 (1)  the performance standards for the Algebra II and
 English III end-of-course assessment instruments, as provided
 under Section 39.024(b) and under Subsection (a);
 (2)  the performance standards for the Algebra I and
 English II end-of-course assessment instruments, as determined
 based on studies under Section 39.0242 that correlate student
 performance on the Algebra I and English II end-of-course
 assessment instruments with student performance on the Algebra II
 and English III assessment instruments;
 (3)  [the performance standards for the English I
 end-of-course assessment instrument, as determined based on
 studies under Section 39.0242 that correlate student performance on
 the English I end-of-course assessment instrument with student
 performance on the English II assessment instrument;
 [(4)] the performance standards for the grade eight
 assessment instruments, as determined based on studies under
 Section 39.0242 that correlate student performance on the grade
 eight assessment instruments with student performance on the
 Algebra I and English II [I] end-of-course assessment instruments
 in the same content area; and
 (4) [(5)] the performance standards on the assessment
 instruments in each of grades three through seven, as determined
 based on studies under Section 39.0242 that correlate student
 performance in the same content area on the assessment instrument
 for each grade with student performance on the assessment
 instrument in the succeeding grade.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 19.  (a) Section 39.0242(b), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b)  Before the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, the
 agency shall analyze the data collected under Subsection (a) to
 substantiate:
 (1)  the correlation between satisfactory student
 performance for each performance standard under Section 39.0241 on
 the grade three, four, five, six, or seven assessment instruments
 with satisfactory performance under the same performance standard
 on the assessment instruments in the same content area for the next
 grade level;
 (2)  the correlation between satisfactory student
 performance for each performance standard under Section 39.0241 on
 the grade eight assessment instruments with satisfactory
 performance under the same performance standard on the Algebra I
 and English II [I] end-of-course assessment instruments in the same
 content area;
 (3)  [the correlation between satisfactory student
 performance for each performance standard under Section 39.0241 on
 the English I end-of-course assessment instrument with
 satisfactory performance under the same performance standard on the
 English II end-of-course assessment instrument;
 [(4)]  the correlation between satisfactory student
 performance for each performance standard under Section 39.0241 on
 the English II end-of-course assessment instrument with
 satisfactory performance under the same performance standard on the
 English III end-of-course assessment instrument; and
 (4) [(5)]  the correlation between satisfactory
 student performance for each performance standard under Section
 39.0241 on the Algebra I end-of-course assessment instrument with
 satisfactory performance under the same performance standard on the
 Algebra II end-of-course assessment instrument.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 20.  (a)  Section 39.025, Education Code, is amended
 by amending Subsections (a), (a-1), (b), and (b-2) and adding
 Subsection (a-4) to read as follows:
 (a)  The commissioner shall adopt rules requiring a student
 participating in the recommended or advanced high school program to
 be administered each end-of-course assessment instrument listed in
 Section 39.023(c) and requiring a student participating in the
 minimum high school program to be administered an end-of-course
 assessment instrument listed in Section 39.023(c) only for a course
 in which the student is enrolled and for which an end-of-course
 assessment instrument is administered. A student is required to
 achieve[, in each subject in the foundation curriculum under
 Section 28.002(a)(1), a cumulative score that is at least equal to
 the product of the number of end-of-course assessment instruments
 administered to the student in that subject and] a scale score that
 indicates satisfactory performance, as determined by the
 commissioner under Section 39.0241(a), on each end-of-course
 assessment instrument listed under Section 39.023(c) that is
 administered to the student as provided by this subsection. For
 each scale score required under this subsection that is not based on
 a 100-point scale scoring system, the commissioner shall provide
 for conversion, in accordance with commissioner rule, of the scale
 score to an equivalent score based on a 100-point scale scoring
 system.  [A student must achieve a minimum score as determined by
 the commissioner to be within a reasonable range of the scale score
 under Section 39.0241(a) on an end-of-course assessment instrument
 for the score to count towards the student's cumulative score.     For
 purposes of this subsection, a student's cumulative score is
 determined using the student's highest score on each end-of-course
 assessment instrument administered to the student.]  A student may
 not receive a high school diploma until the student has performed
 satisfactorily on [the] end-of-course assessment instruments in
 the manner provided under this subsection.  This subsection does
 not require a student to demonstrate readiness to enroll in an
 institution of higher education.
 (a-1)  The commissioner by rule shall determine a method by
 which a student's satisfactory performance on an advanced placement
 test, international baccalaureate examination, an SAT Subject
 Test, or another assessment instrument determined by the
 commissioner to be at least as rigorous as an end-of-course
 assessment instrument adopted under Section 39.023(c) may be used
 as a factor in determining whether the student satisfies the
 requirements of Subsection (a)[, including the cumulative score
 requirement of that subsection].  The commissioner by rule may
 determine a method by which a student's satisfactory performance on
 a Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) [assessment] or a
 preliminary American College Test (ACT) [assessment] may be used as
 a factor in determining whether the student satisfies the
 requirements of Subsection (a).
 (a-4)  The admission, review, and dismissal committee of a
 student in a special education program under Subchapter A, Chapter
 29, shall determine whether, to receive a high school diploma, the
 student is required to achieve satisfactory performance on
 end-of-course assessment instruments.
 (b)  Each time an end-of-course assessment instrument
 adopted under Section 39.023(c) is administered, a student who
 failed to achieve a minimum score under Subsection (a) may [shall]
 retake the assessment instrument.  A student who fails to perform
 satisfactorily on an Algebra II or English III end-of-course
 assessment instrument under the college readiness performance
 standard, as provided under Section 39.024(b), may retake the
 assessment instrument. [Any other student may retake an
 end-of-course assessment instrument for any reason.]  A student is
 not required to retake a course as a condition of retaking an
 end-of-course assessment instrument.
 (b-2)  If a school district determines that a student, on
 completion of grade 11, is unlikely to achieve the [cumulative]
 score requirement under this section [requirements] for one or more
 end-of-course assessment instruments [subjects] prescribed under
 [by] Subsection (a) for receiving a high school diploma, the
 district shall require the student to enroll in a corresponding
 content-area college preparatory course for which an end-of-course
 assessment instrument has been adopted, if available.  A student
 who enrolls in a college preparatory course described by this
 subsection shall be administered an end-of-course assessment
 instrument for the course, with the end-of-course assessment
 instrument scored on a scale as determined by the commissioner [not
 to exceed 20 percent of the cumulative score requirements required
 to graduate as determined under Subsection (a)].  A student may use
 the student's score on the end-of-course assessment instrument for
 the college preparatory course towards satisfying the [cumulative]
 score requirement under this section [requirements prescribed by
 Subsection (a)].
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 21.  (a) Effective September 1, 2014, Section
 39.025(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:
 (a)  The commissioner shall adopt rules requiring a student
 [participating] in the foundation [recommended or advanced] high
 school program under Section 28.025 to be administered each
 end-of-course assessment instrument listed in Section 39.023(c)
 [and requiring a student participating in the minimum high school
 program to be administered an end-of-course assessment instrument
 listed in Section 39.023(c) only for a course in which the student
 is enrolled and for which an end-of-course assessment instrument is
 administered]. A student is required to achieve[, in each subject
 in the foundation curriculum under Section 28.002(a)(1), a
 cumulative score that is at least equal to the product of the number
 of end-of-course assessment instruments administered to the
 student in that subject and] a scale score that indicates
 satisfactory performance, as determined by the commissioner under
 Section 39.0241(a), on each end-of-course assessment instrument
 listed under Section 39.023(c). For each scale score required
 under this subsection that is not based on a 100-point scale scoring
 system, the commissioner shall provide for conversion, in
 accordance with commissioner rule, of the scale score to an
 equivalent score based on a 100-point scale scoring system.  [A
 student must achieve a minimum score as determined by the
 commissioner to be within a reasonable range of the scale score
 under Section 39.0241(a) on an end-of-course assessment instrument
 for the score to count towards the student's cumulative score.     For
 purposes of this subsection, a student's cumulative score is
 determined using the student's highest score on each end-of-course
 assessment instrument administered to the student.]  A student may
 not receive a high school diploma until the student has performed
 satisfactorily on [the] end-of-course assessment instruments in
 the manner provided under this subsection.  This subsection does
 not require a student to demonstrate readiness to enroll in an
 institution of higher education.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 22.  (a) Sections 39.034(a) and (c), Education
 Code, are amended to read as follows:
 (a)  The commissioner shall determine a method by which the
 agency may measure annual improvement in student achievement from
 one school year to the next on an assessment instrument required
 under this subchapter or on an end-of-course assessment instrument
 adopted under Section 39.023(c-2).
 (c)  The agency shall use a student's previous years'
 performance data on an assessment instrument described by
 Subsection (a) [required under this subchapter] to determine the
 student's expected annual improvement.  The agency shall report
 that expected level of annual improvement and the actual level of
 annual improvement achieved to the district.  The report must state
 whether the student fell below, met, or exceeded the agency's
 expectation for improvement.
 (b)  This section takes effect beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 23.  (a) Section 39.035(a), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a)  Subject to Subsection (b), the agency may conduct field
 testing of questions for any assessment instrument administered
 under Section 39.023(a), (b), (c), (c-2), (d), or (l) that is
 separate from the administration of the assessment instrument not
 more frequently than every other school year.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 24.  (a) Section 39.053(c), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (c)  Indicators of student achievement adopted under this
 section may include any indicator the commissioner determines
 reflects the quality of learning and student achievement and must
 include:
 (1)  the results of assessment instruments required
 under Sections 39.023(a), (c), and (l), including the results of
 assessment instruments required for graduation retaken by a
 student, aggregated across grade levels by subject area, including:
 (A)  for the performance standard determined by
 the commissioner under Section 39.0241(a):
 (i)  the percentage of students who
 performed satisfactorily on the assessment instruments, aggregated
 across grade levels by subject area; and
 (ii)  for students who did not perform
 satisfactorily, the percentage of students who met the standard for
 annual improvement, as determined by the agency under Section
 39.034, on the assessment instruments, aggregated across grade
 levels by subject area; and
 (B)  for the college readiness performance
 standard as determined under Section 39.0241:
 (i)  the percentage of students who
 performed satisfactorily on the assessment instruments, aggregated
 across grade levels by subject area; and
 (ii)  for students who did not perform
 satisfactorily, the percentage of students who met the standard for
 annual improvement, as determined by the agency under Section
 39.034, on the assessment instruments, aggregated across grade
 levels by subject area;
 (2)  dropout rates, including dropout rates and
 district completion rates for grade levels 9 through 12, computed
 in accordance with standards and definitions adopted by the
 National Center for Education Statistics of the United States
 Department of Education; and
 (3)  high school graduation rates, computed in
 accordance with standards and definitions adopted in compliance
 with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. Section 6301 et
 seq.).
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 25.  (a) Section 39.053(f), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (f)  Annually, the commissioner shall define the state
 standard for the current school year for each student achievement
 indicator described by Subsection (c) and shall project the state
 standards for each indicator for the following two school years.
 The commissioner shall periodically raise the state standards for
 the student achievement indicator described by Subsection
 (c)(1)(B)(i) for accreditation as necessary to reach the goals of
 achieving, by not later than the 2019-2020 school year:
 (1)  student performance in this state, disaggregated
 by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, that ranks nationally
 in the top 10 states in terms of college readiness; and
 (2)  student performance, [including the percentage of
 students graduating under the recommended or advanced high school
 program,] with no significant achievement gaps by race, ethnicity,
 and socioeconomic status.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 26.  (a) Sections 39.054(a) and (b), Education Code,
 are amended to read as follows:
 (a)  The commissioner shall adopt rules to evaluate school
 district and campus performance and[, not later than August 8 of
 each year,] assign each district and campus a performance rating of
 A, B, C, D, or F. In adopting rules under this subsection, the
 commissioner shall determine the criteria for each designated
 letter performance rating and designate whether the letter
 performance rating [that] reflects acceptable performance or
 unacceptable performance. Not later than August 8 of each year, the
 performance rating of each district and campus shall be made
 publicly available as provided by rules adopted under this
 subsection. If a district or campus received a performance rating
 of unacceptable performance for the preceding school year, the
 commissioner shall notify the district of a subsequent such
 designation on or before June 15.
 (b)  In evaluating performance, the commissioner shall
 evaluate against state standards and consider the performance of
 each campus in a school district and each open-enrollment charter
 school on the basis of the campus's or school's performance on the
 student achievement indicators adopted under Section 39.053, other
 than, to the greatest extent possible, the student achievement
 indicator adopted under Section 39.053(c)(1) [39.053(c)].
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 27.  (a) Subchapter C, Chapter 39, Education Code,
 is amended by adding Section 39.0545 to read as follows:
 Sec. 39.0545.  SCHOOL DISTRICT EVALUATION OF CAMPUS
 PERFORMANCE IN COMMUNITY AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT. (a) Each school
 district shall evaluate the performance of each campus in the
 district in community and student engagement as provided by this
 section and assign each campus a performance rating of A, B, C, D,
 or F. Not later than August 8 of each year, the district shall make
 the performance rating publicly available as provided by
 commissioner rule.
 (b)  For purposes of assigning the performance rating under
 Subsection (a), a school district must evaluate the following
 programs or specific categories of performance at each campus:
 (1)  fine arts;
 (2)  wellness and physical education;
 (3)  community and parental involvement;
 (4)  the 21st Century Workforce Development program;
 and
 (5)  the second language acquisition program.
 (c)  A school district shall use criteria developed by the
 commissioner as described by Subsection (d)(1) in conjunction with
 criteria developed by a local committee established as provided by
 Subsection (d)(2) to evaluate the performance of a campus under
 this section.
 (d)  The commissioner shall:
 (1)  in accordance with commissioner rule, establish a
 separate committee that includes members as described by Sections
 39.204(c) and (d) to develop criteria for each program or category
 of performance under Subsection (b) in the manner provided for
 developing criteria for a distinction designation under Section
 39.204(e); and
 (2)  by commissioner rule, prescribe requirements for
 school districts to use to establish a local committee to develop
 district criteria.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 28.  (a) Section 39.057(a), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a)  The commissioner shall authorize special accreditation
 investigations to be conducted:
 (1)  when excessive numbers of absences of students
 eligible to be tested on state assessment instruments are
 determined;
 (2)  when excessive numbers of allowable exemptions
 from the required state assessment instruments are determined;
 (3)  in response to complaints submitted to the agency
 with respect to alleged violations of civil rights or other
 requirements imposed on the state by federal law or court order;
 (4)  in response to established compliance reviews of
 the district's financial accounting practices and state and federal
 program requirements;
 (5)  when extraordinary numbers of student placements
 in disciplinary alternative education programs, other than
 placements under Sections 37.006 and 37.007, are determined;
 (6)  in response to an allegation involving a conflict
 between members of the board of trustees or between the board and
 the district administration if it appears that the conflict
 involves a violation of a role or duty of the board members or the
 administration clearly defined by this code;
 (7)  when excessive numbers of students in special
 education programs under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, are assessed
 through assessment instruments developed or adopted under Section
 39.023(b);
 (8)  in response to an allegation regarding or an
 analysis using a statistical method result indicating a possible
 violation of an assessment instrument security procedure
 established under Section 39.0301, including for the purpose of
 investigating or auditing a school district under that section;
 (9)  when a significant pattern of decreased academic
 performance has developed as a result of the promotion in the
 preceding two school years of students who did not perform
 satisfactorily as determined by the commissioner under Section
 39.0241(a) on assessment instruments administered under Section
 39.023(a), (c), or (l);
 (10)  [when excessive numbers of students graduate
 under the minimum high school program;
 [(11)]  when excessive numbers of students eligible to
 enroll fail to complete an advanced mathematics [Algebra II] course
 or any other advanced course determined by the commissioner [as
 distinguishing between students participating in the recommended
 high school program from students participating in the minimum high
 school program];
 (11) [(12)]  when resource allocation practices as
 evaluated under Section 39.0821 indicate a potential for
 significant improvement in resource allocation; or
 (12) [(13)]  as the commissioner otherwise determines
 necessary.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 29.  (a) Section 39.082, Education Code, is amended
 by adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:
 (d)  Under the financial accountability rating systems
 developed under this section, each school district or
 open-enrollment charter school, as applicable, shall be assigned a
 financial accountability rating of A, B, C, D, or F. In adopting
 rules under this section, the commissioner, in consultation with
 the comptroller, shall determine the criteria for each designated
 letter performance rating.
 (e)  Not later than August 8 of each year, the financial
 accountability rating of each school district and open-enrollment
 charter school under the financial accountability rating systems
 developed under this section shall be made publicly available as
 provided by rules adopted under this section.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 30.  (a) Section 39.201(a), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a)  Not later than August 8 of each year, the commissioner
 shall award distinction designations for outstanding performance
 as provided by [under] this subchapter. A distinction designation
 awarded to a district or campus under this subchapter shall be
 referenced directly in connection with the performance rating
 assigned to the district or campus and made publicly available
 together with the performance ratings as provided by rules adopted
 under Section 39.054(a).
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 31.  (a) Section 39.202, Education Code, is amended
 to read as follows:
 Sec. 39.202.  ACADEMIC [EXCELLENCE] DISTINCTION DESIGNATION
 FOR DISTRICTS AND CAMPUSES. The commissioner by rule shall
 establish [a recognized and exemplary rating for awarding districts
 and campuses] an academic distinction designation for districts and
 campuses for outstanding performance in attainment of
 postsecondary readiness [under this subchapter]. The [In
 establishing the recognized and exemplary ratings, the]
 commissioner shall adopt criteria for the designation under this
 section [ratings], including:
 (1)  percentages of students who:
 (A)  performed satisfactorily, as determined
 under the college readiness performance standard under Section
 39.0241, on assessment instruments required under Section
 39.023(a), (b), (c), or (l) or on end-of-course assessment
 instruments adopted under Section 39.023(c-2), aggregated across
 grade levels by subject area; or
 (B)  met the standard for annual improvement, as
 determined by the agency under Section 39.034, on assessment
 instruments required under Section 39.023(a), (b), (c), or (l) or
 on end-of-course assessment instruments adopted under Section
 39.023(c-2), aggregated across grade levels by subject area, for
 students who did not perform satisfactorily as described by
 Paragraph (A); and
 (2)  other factors for determining sufficient student
 attainment of postsecondary readiness.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 32.  (a) Section 39.203, Education Code, is amended
 to read as follows:
 Sec. 39.203.  CAMPUS DISTINCTION DESIGNATIONS. (a) The
 commissioner shall award a campus a distinction designation for
 outstanding performance in  improvement in student achievement if
 the campus is ranked in the top 25 percent of campuses in the state
 in annual improvement in student achievement as determined under
 Section 39.034.
 (b)  In addition to the distinction designation described by
 Subsection (a), the commissioner shall award a campus a distinction
 designation for outstanding performance in closing student
 achievement differentials if the campus demonstrates an ability to
 significantly diminish or eliminate performance differentials
 between student subpopulations and is ranked in the top 25 percent
 of campuses in this state under the performance criteria described
 by this subsection.  The commissioner shall adopt rules related to
 the distinction designation under this subsection to ensure that a
 campus does not artificially diminish or eliminate performance
 differentials through inhibiting the achievement of the highest
 achieving student subpopulation.
 (c)  In addition to the distinction designations described
 by Subsections (a) and (b), a campus that satisfies the criteria
 developed under Section 39.204 shall be awarded a distinction
 designation by the commissioner for outstanding performance in [for
 the following programs or the following specific categories of
 performance:
 [(1)]  academic achievement in English language arts,
 mathematics, science, or social studies[;
 [(2)  fine arts;
 [(3)  physical education;
 [(4)  21st Century Workforce Development program; and
 [(5)  second language acquisition program].
 (d)  In addition to the distinction designations otherwise
 described by this section, the commissioner may award a distinction
 designation for outstanding performance in advanced middle or
 junior high school student achievement to a campus with a
 significant number of students below grade nine who perform
 satisfactorily on an end-of-course assessment instrument
 administered under Section 39.023(c).
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 33.  (a) Section 39.301(c), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (c)  Indicators for reporting purposes must include:
 (1)  [the percentage of graduating students who meet
 the course requirements established by State Board of Education
 rule for the minimum high school program, the recommended high
 school program, and the advanced high school program;
 [(2)]  the results of the SAT, ACT, articulated
 postsecondary degree programs described by Section 61.852, and
 certified workforce training programs described by Chapter 311,
 Labor Code;
 (2) [(3)] for students who have failed to perform
 satisfactorily, under each performance standard under Section
 39.0241, on an assessment instrument required under Section
 39.023(a) or (c), the performance of those students on subsequent
 assessment instruments required under those sections, aggregated
 by grade level and subject area;
 (3) [(4)     for each campus, the number of students,
 disaggregated by major student subpopulations, that agree under
 Section 28.025(b) to take courses under the minimum high school
 program;
 [(5)]  the percentage of students, aggregated by grade
 level, provided accelerated instruction under Section 28.0211(c),
 the results of assessment instruments administered under that
 section, the percentage of students promoted through the grade
 placement committee process under Section 28.0211, the subject of
 the assessment instrument on which each student failed to perform
 satisfactorily under each performance standard under Section
 39.0241, and the performance of those students in the school year
 following that promotion on the assessment instruments required
 under Section 39.023;
 (4) [(6)]  the percentage of students of limited
 English proficiency exempted from the administration of an
 assessment instrument under Sections 39.027(a)(1) and (2);
 (5) [(7)]  the percentage of students in a special
 education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, assessed through
 assessment instruments developed or adopted under Section
 39.023(b);
 (6) [(8)]  the percentage of students who satisfy the
 college readiness measure;
 (7) [(9)]  the measure of progress toward dual language
 proficiency under Section 39.034(b), for students of limited
 English proficiency, as defined by Section 29.052;
 (8) [(10)]  the percentage of students who are not
 educationally disadvantaged;
 (9) [(11)]  the percentage of students who enroll and
 begin instruction at an institution of higher education in the
 school year following high school graduation; and
 (10) [(12)]  the percentage of students who
 successfully complete the first year of instruction at an
 institution of higher education without needing a developmental
 education course.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 34.  (a)  Section 39.305(b), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b)  The report card shall include the following
 information:
 (1)  where applicable, the student achievement
 indicators described by Section 39.053(c) and the reporting
 indicators described by Sections 39.301(c)(1) through (3) [(5)];
 (2)  average class size by grade level and subject;
 (3)  the administrative and instructional costs per
 student, computed in a manner consistent with Section 44.0071; and
 (4)  the district's instructional expenditures ratio
 and instructional employees ratio computed under Section 44.0071,
 and the statewide average of those ratios, as determined by the
 commissioner.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
 school year.
 SECTION 35.  (a) Section 51.3062(q-1), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (q-1)  A student who has completed the foundation [a
 recommended or advanced] high school program as determined under
 Section 28.025 and demonstrated the performance standard for
 college readiness as provided by Section 39.024 on the Algebra II
 and English III end-of-course assessment instruments is exempt from
 the requirements of this section with respect to those content
 areas.  The commissioner of higher education by rule shall
 establish the period for which an exemption under this subsection
 is valid.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 36.  (a) Sections 51.803(a) and (d), Education Code,
 are amended to read as follows:
 (a)  Subject to Subsection (a-1), each general academic
 teaching institution shall admit an applicant for admission to the
 institution as an undergraduate student if the applicant graduated
 with a grade point average in the top 10 percent of the student's
 high school graduating class in one of the two school years
 preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for
 admission and:
 (1)  the applicant graduated from a public or private
 high school in this state accredited by a generally recognized
 accrediting organization or from a high school operated by the
 United States Department of Defense;
 (2)  the applicant:
 (A)  successfully completed:
 (i)  at a public high school, the curriculum
 requirements established under Section 28.025 for the foundation
 [recommended or advanced] high school program; or
 (ii)  at a high school to which Section
 28.025 does not apply, a curriculum that is equivalent in content
 and rigor to the foundation [recommended or advanced] high school
 program; or
 (B)  satisfied ACT's College Readiness Benchmarks
 on the ACT assessment applicable to the applicant or earned on the
 SAT assessment a score of at least 1,500 out of 2,400 or the
 equivalent; and
 (3)  if the applicant graduated from a high school
 operated by the United States Department of Defense, the applicant
 is a Texas resident under Section 54.052 or is entitled to pay
 tuition fees at the rate provided for Texas residents under Section
 54.241(d) [54.058(d)] for the term or semester to which admitted.
 (d)  For purposes of Subsection (c)(2), a student's official
 transcript or diploma must, not later than the end of the student's
 junior year, indicate[:
 [(1)]  whether the student has satisfied or is on
 schedule to satisfy the requirements of Subsection (a)(2)(A)(i) or
 (ii), as applicable[; or
 [(2)     if Subsection (b) applies to the student, whether
 the student has completed the portion of the recommended or
 advanced curriculum or of the curriculum equivalent in content and
 rigor, as applicable, that was available to the student].
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 37.  (a) Section 51.804, Education Code, is amended
 to read as follows:
 Sec. 51.804.  ADDITIONAL AUTOMATIC ADMISSIONS:  SELECTED
 INSTITUTIONS. For each academic year, the governing board of each
 general academic teaching institution shall determine whether to
 adopt an admissions policy under which an applicant to the
 institution as a first-time freshman student, other than an
 applicant eligible for admission under Section 51.803, shall be
 admitted to the institution if the applicant:
 (1)  graduated from a public or private high school in
 this state accredited by a generally recognized accrediting
 organization with a grade point average in the top 25 percent of the
 applicant's high school graduating class; and
 (2)  satisfies the requirements of:
 (A)  Section 51.803(a)(2)(A) or (B) [51.803(b),
 as applicable to the student, or Section 51.803 (a)(2)(B)]; and
 (B)  Sections 51.803(c)(2) and 51.803(d).
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 38.  (a) Section 51.805(a), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a)  A graduating student who does not qualify for admission
 under Section 51.803 or 51.804 may apply to any general academic
 teaching institution if the student satisfies the requirements of:
 (1)  Section 51.803(a)(2)(A) or (B) [51.803(b), as
 applicable to the student, or Section 51.803(a)(2)(B)]; and
 (2)  Sections 51.803(c)(2) and 51.803(d).
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 39.  (a) Section 51.807(b), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (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
 foundation [recommended or advanced] high school program.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 40.  (a) Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code,
 is amended by adding Section 56.009 to read as follows:
 Sec. 56.009.  ELIGIBILITY BASED ON GRADUATION UNDER CERTAIN
 HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS. To the extent that a person's eligibility to
 participate in any program under this chapter, including
 Subchapters K, M, Q, and R, is contingent on the person graduating
 under the recommended or advanced high school program, as those
 programs existed before the adoption of __.B. No. _____, 83rd
 Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, the Texas Higher Education
 Coordinating Board and the commissioner of education shall jointly
 adopt rules to modify, clarify, or otherwise establish for affected
 programs appropriate eligibility requirements regarding high
 school curriculum completion.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 41.  (a) Section 61.0517(a), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a)  In this section, "applied STEM course" means an applied
 science, technology, engineering, or mathematics course offered as
 part of a school district's career and technology education
 curriculum and approved, as provided by Section 28.027, by the
 State Board of Education for purposes of satisfying the mathematics
 and science curriculum requirements for the foundation
 [recommended] high school program [imposed] under Section 28.025
 [28.025(b-1)(1)(A)].
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 42.  (a) Section 61.792(b), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b)  To qualify for a scholarship under this section, a
 student must:
 (1)  have graduated with a grade point average in the
 top 20 percent of the student's high school graduating class;
 (2)  have graduated from high school with a grade point
 average of at least 3.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent in
 mathematics and science courses offered under the foundation
 [recommended or advanced] high school program under Section 28.025
 [28.025(a)]; and
 (3)  maintain an overall grade point average of at
 least 3.0 on a four-point scale at the general academic teaching
 institution or the private or independent institution of higher
 education in which the student is enrolled.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 43.  (a) Section 61.852(a), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a)  A tech-prep program is a program of study that:
 (1)  combines at least two years of secondary education
 with at least two years of postsecondary education in a
 nonduplicative, sequential course of study based on the foundation
 [recommended] high school program adopted by the State Board of
 Education under Section 28.025 [28.025(a)];
 (2)  integrates academic instruction and vocational
 and technical instruction;
 (3)  uses work-based and worksite learning where
 available and appropriate;
 (4)  provides technical preparation in a career field
 such as engineering technology, applied science, a mechanical,
 industrial, or practical art or trade, agriculture, health
 occupations, business, or applied economics;
 (5)  builds student competence in mathematics,
 science, reading, writing, communications, economics, and
 workplace skills through applied, contextual academics and
 integrated instruction in a coherent sequence of courses;
 (6)  leads to an associate degree, two-year
 postsecondary certificate, or postsecondary two-year
 apprenticeship with provisions, to the extent applicable, for
 students to continue toward completion of a baccalaureate degree;
 and
 (7)  leads to placement in appropriate employment or to
 further education.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 44.  (a) Section 61.855(d), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (d)  A tech-prep program must:
 (1)  be implemented under an articulation agreement
 between the participants in the consortium;
 (2)  consist of two to four years of secondary school
 preceding graduation and:
 (A)  two or more years of higher education; or
 (B)  two or more years of apprenticeship following
 secondary instruction;
 (3)  have a common core of required proficiency based
 on the foundation [recommended] high school program adopted by the
 State Board of Education under Section 28.025 [28.025(a)], with
 proficiencies in mathematics, science, reading, writing,
 communications, and technologies designed to lead to an associate's
 degree or postsecondary certificate in a specific career field;
 (4)  include the development of tech-prep program
 curricula for both secondary and postsecondary participants in the
 consortium that:
 (A)  meets academic standards developed by the
 state;
 (B)  links secondary schools and two-year
 postsecondary institutions, and, if practicable, four-year
 institutions of higher education through nonduplicative sequences
 of courses in career fields, including the investigation of
 opportunities for tech-prep students to enroll concurrently in
 secondary and postsecondary course work;
 (C)  uses, if appropriate and available,
 work-based or worksite learning in conjunction with business and
 all aspects of an industry; and
 (D)  uses educational technology and distance
 learning, as appropriate, to involve each consortium participant
 more fully in the development and operation of programs;
 (5)  include in-service training for teachers that:
 (A)  is designed to train vocational and technical
 teachers to effectively implement tech-prep programs;
 (B)  provides for joint training for teachers in
 the tech-prep consortium;
 (C)  is designed to ensure that teachers and
 administrators stay current with the needs, expectations, and
 methods of business and of all aspects of an industry;
 (D)  focuses on training postsecondary education
 faculty in the use of contextual and applied curricula and
 instruction; and
 (E)  provides training in the use and application
 of technology;
 (6)  include training programs for counselors designed
 to enable counselors to more effectively:
 (A)  provide information to students regarding
 tech-prep programs;
 (B)  support student progress in completing
 tech-prep programs;
 (C)  provide information on related employment
 opportunities;
 (D)  ensure that tech-prep students are placed in
 appropriate employment; and
 (E)  stay current with the needs, expectations,
 and methods of business and of all aspects of an industry;
 (7)  provide equal access to the full range of
 tech-prep programs for individuals who are members of special
 populations, including by the development of tech-prep program
 services appropriate to the needs of special populations; and
 (8)  provide for preparatory services that assist
 participants in tech-prep programs.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 45.  (a) Section 61.861(c), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (c)  A course developed for purposes of this section must:
 (1)  provide content that enables a student to develop
 the relevant and critical skills needed to be prepared for
 employment or additional training in a high-demand occupation;
 (2)  incorporate college and career readiness skills as
 part of the curriculum;
 (3)  be offered for dual credit; and
 (4)  satisfy a mathematics or science requirement under
 the foundation [recommended or advanced] high school program as
 determined under Section 28.025.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 46.  (a) Section 61.864, Education Code, is amended
 to read as follows:
 Sec. 61.864.  REVIEW OF COURSES. Courses for which a grant
 is awarded under this subchapter shall be reviewed by the
 commissioner of higher education and the commissioner of education,
 in consultation with the comptroller and the Texas Workforce
 Commission, once every four years to determine whether the course:
 (1)  is being used by public educational institutions
 in this state;
 (2)  prepares high school students with the skills
 necessary for employment in the high-demand occupation and further
 postsecondary study; and
 (3)  satisfies a mathematics or science requirement for
 the foundation [recommended or advanced] high school program as
 determined under Section 28.025.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 47.  (a) Section 78.10(b), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b)  The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science is a
 division of The University of Texas at Brownsville and is under the
 management and control of the board.  The academy serves the
 following purposes:
 (1)  to provide academically gifted and highly
 motivated junior and senior high school students with a challenging
 university-level curriculum that:
 (A)  allows students to complete high school
 graduation requirements[, including requirements adopted] under
 Section 28.025 for the foundation [advanced] high school program,
 while attending for academic credit a public institution of higher
 education;
 (B)  fosters students' knowledge of real-world
 mathematics and science issues and applications and teaches
 students to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to
 those issues and problems;
 (C)  includes the study of English, foreign
 languages, social studies, mathematics, science, and technology;
 and
 (D)  offers students learning opportunities
 related to mathematics and science through in-depth research and
 field-based studies;
 (2)  to provide students with an awareness of
 mathematics and science careers and professional development
 opportunities through seminars, workshops, collaboration with
 postsecondary and university students including opportunities for
 summer studies, internships in foreign countries, and similar
 methods; and
 (3)  to provide students with social development
 activities that enrich the academic curriculum and student life,
 including, as determined appropriate by the academy, University
 Interscholastic League activities and other extracurricular
 activities.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 48.  (a) Section 87.505(b), Education Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b)  The Texas Academy of International Studies is a division
 of Texas A&M International University and is under the management
 and control of the board. The academy serves the following
 purposes:
 (1)  to provide academically gifted and highly
 motivated junior and senior high school students with a challenging
 university-level curriculum that:
 (A)  allows students to complete high school
 graduation requirements[, including requirements adopted] under
 Section 28.025 for the foundation [advanced] high school program,
 while attending for academic credit a public institution of higher
 education;
 (B)  fosters students' knowledge of real-world
 international issues and problems and teaches students to apply
 critical thinking and problem-solving skills to those issues and
 problems;
 (C)  includes the study of English, foreign
 languages, social studies, anthropology, and sociology;
 (D)  is presented through an interdisciplinary
 approach that introduces and develops issues, especially issues
 related to international concerns, throughout the curriculum; and
 (E)  offers students learning opportunities
 related to international issues through in-depth research and
 field-based studies;
 (2)  to provide students with an awareness of
 international career and professional development opportunities
 through seminars, workshops, collaboration with postsecondary
 students from other countries, summer academic international
 studies internships in foreign countries, and similar methods; and
 (3)  to provide students with social development
 activities that enrich the academic curriculum and student life,
 including, as determined appropriate by the academy, University
 Interscholastic League activities and other extracurricular
 activities generally offered by public high schools.
 (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
 school year.
 SECTION 49.  The following provisions of the Education Code
 are repealed:
 (1)  Section 28.002(q);
 (2)  Sections 28.025(b-6), (b-8), and (g);
 (3)  Sections 39.025(a-2) and (a-3); and
 (4)  Section 51.803(b).
 SECTION 50.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
 this section, Section 39.025, Education Code, as amended by
 Sections 20 and 21 of this Act, as related to reducing end-of-course
 testing requirements, applies only to students who have entered or
 will enter the ninth grade during the 2011-2012 school year or a
 later school year.
 (b)  Students who have entered the ninth grade during or
 after the 2011-2012 school year and before the 2014-2015 school
 year and who choose to complete the curriculum requirements under
 the minimum high school program may be administered only those
 end-of-course assessment instruments that would have been
 administered to those students under Section 39.025, Education
 Code, as amended by Section 20 of this Act, and Section 39.025,
 Education Code, as amended by Section 20 of this Act, is continued
 in effect for purposes of satisfying those end-of-course testing
 requirements.
 SECTION 51.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act, 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, 2013.