Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB3 Compare Versions

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1	1	By: Patrick, et al. S.B. No. 3
2	2	(In the Senate - Filed February 1, 2013; February 5, 2013,
3	3	read first time and referred to Committee on Education;
4	4	February 25, 2013, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
5	5	Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0, 2 present not
6	6	voting; February 25, 2013, sent to printer.)
7	7	COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 3 By: Patrick
8	8
9	9
10	10	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
11	11	AN ACT
12	12	relating to public high school graduation, including curriculum and
13	13	assessment requirements for graduation and funding in support of
14	14	certain curriculum authorized for graduation.
15	15	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
16	16	SECTION 1. Subsection (e), Section 7.062, Education Code,
17	17	is amended to read as follows:
18	18	(e) The rules must:
19	19	(1) limit the amount of assistance provided through a
20	20	grant to not more than:
21	21	(A) for a construction project, $200 per square
22	22	foot of the science laboratory to be constructed; or
23	23	(B) for a renovation project, $100 per square
24	24	foot of the science laboratory to be renovated;
25	25	(2) require a school district to demonstrate, as a
26	26	condition of eligibility for a grant, that the existing district
27	27	science laboratories are insufficient in number to comply with the
28	28	curriculum requirements imposed for the foundation [recommended
29	29	and advanced] high school program [programs] under Section 28.025
30	30	[28.025(b-1)(1)]; and
31	31	(3) provide for ranking school districts that apply
32	32	for grants on the basis of wealth per student and giving priority in
33	33	the award of grants to districts with low wealth per student.
34	34	SECTION 2. Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by
35	35	amending Subsection (f) and adding Subsection (t) to read as
36	36	follows:
37	37	(f) A school district may offer courses for local credit in
38	38	addition to those in the required curriculum. The State Board of
39	39	Education shall be flexible in approving a course for credit for
40	40	high school graduation under this subsection. A district may also
41	41	offer courses for local credit without obtaining State Board of
42	42	Education approval if:
43	43	(1) the district develops a program under which the
44	44	district partners with a public or private institution of higher
45	45	education and local business and community leaders to develop and
46	46	provide the courses;
47	47	(2) the courses prepare students to enter:
48	48	(A) a career or technology training program in
49	49	the district's region of the state; or
50	50	(B) an institution of higher education without
51	51	remediation; and
52	52	(3) the board of trustees of the district approves the
53	53	courses.
54	54	(t) The State Board of Education by rule shall require a
55	55	course of instruction in career explorations for each student
56	56	during either seventh or eighth grade. The course must include
57	57	detailed explanations and discussions of:
58	58	(1) the foundation high school program and
59	59	endorsements under Section 28.025; and
60	60	(2) courses necessary or useful in pursuing higher
61	61	education or a career.
62	62	SECTION 3. Subsections (b), (c), and (f), Section 28.014,
63	63	Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
64	64	(b) A student who successfully completes a course developed
65	65	under this section may use the credit earned in the course toward
66	66	satisfying the applicable mathematics or science curriculum
67	67	requirement for the foundation [recommended or advanced] high
68	68	school program under Section 28.025.
69	69	(c) The agency, in consultation with the Texas Higher
70	70	Education Coordinating Board, shall adopt an end-of-course
71	71	assessment instrument for each course developed under this section
72	72	to ensure the rigor of the course. A school district shall, in
73	73	accordance with State Board of Education rules, administer the
74	74	end-of-course assessment instrument to a student enrolled in a
75	75	course developed under this section. [Each school district shall
76	76	adopt a policy that requires a student's performance on the
77	77	end-of-course assessment instrument to account for 15 percent of
78	78	the student's final grade for the course.] A student's performance
79	79	on an end-of-course assessment instrument administered under this
80	80	subsection may be used, on a scale of 0-40, in calculating whether
81	81	the student satisfies the graduation requirements established
82	82	under Section 39.025.
83	83	(f) To the extent applicable, the commissioner shall draw
84	84	from curricula and instructional materials developed under Section
85	85	[Sections] 28.008 [and 61.0763] in developing a course and related
86	86	instructional materials under this section. Not later than
87	87	September 1, 2010, the State Board of Education shall adopt
88	88	essential knowledge and skills for each course developed under this
89	89	section. The State Board of Education shall make each course
90	90	developed under this section and the related instructional
91	91	materials available to school districts not later than the
92	92	2014-2015 school year. [As required by Subsection (c), a school
93	93	district shall adopt a policy requiring a student's performance on
94	94	an end-of-course assessment instrument administered under that
95	95	subsection to account for 15 percent of the student's grade for a
96	96	course developed under this section not later than the 2014-2015
97	97	school year.] This subsection expires September 1, 2015.
98	98	SECTION 4. Subsections (a), (b), (c), and (e), Section
99	99	28.0212, Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
100	100	(a) A principal shall designate a guidance counselor,
101	101	teacher, or other appropriate individual to develop and administer
102	102	a personal graduation plan for each student enrolled in a junior
103	103	high, middle, or high school [who:
104	104	[(1) does not perform satisfactorily on an assessment
105	105	instrument administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39; or
106	106	[(2) is not likely to receive a high school diploma
107	107	before the fifth school year following the student's enrollment in
108	108	grade level nine, as determined by the district].
109	109	(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a
110	110	[A] personal graduation plan for a student enrolled in a junior
111	111	high, middle, or high school who does not perform satisfactorily on
112	112	an assessment instrument administered under Subchapter B, Chapter
113	113	39, or who is not likely to receive a high school diploma before the
114	114	fifth school year following the student's enrollment in grade level
115	115	nine, as determined by the school district, must at a minimum:
116	116	(1) identify educational goals for the student;
117	117	(2) include diagnostic information, appropriate
118	118	monitoring and intervention, and other evaluation strategies;
119	119	(3) include an intensive instruction program
120	120	described by Section 28.0213;
121	121	(4) address participation of the student's parent or
122	122	guardian, including consideration of the parent's or guardian's
123	123	educational expectations for the student; and
124	124	(5) provide innovative methods to promote the
125	125	student's advancement, including flexible scheduling, alternative
126	126	learning environments, on-line instruction, and other
127	127	interventions that are proven to accelerate the learning process
128	128	and have been scientifically validated to improve learning and
129	129	cognitive ability.
130	130	(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section
131	131	[Subsection (b)], a student's individualized education program
132	132	developed under Section 29.005 may be used as the student's
133	133	personal graduation plan under this section.
134	134	(e) A personal graduation plan [Each school district is
135	135	encouraged to establish] for each student entering grade nine must
136	136	identify [a personal graduation plan that identifies] a course of
137	137	study that:
138	138	(1) promotes:
139	139	(A) college and workforce readiness; and
140	140	(B) career placement and advancement; and
141	141	(2) facilitates the student's transition from
142	142	secondary to postsecondary education.
143	143	SECTION 5. Section 28.025, Education Code, is amended by
144	144	amending Subsections (a), (b), (b-1), (b-4), (b-5), (b-7), (b-9),
145	145	(b-10), (b-11), and (e) and adding Subsections (b-12), (c-1),
146	146	(c-2), (c-3), (h), and (h-1) to read as follows:
147	147	(a) The State Board of Education by rule shall determine
148	148	curriculum requirements for the foundation [minimum, recommended,
149	149	and advanced] high school program [programs] that are consistent
150	150	with the required curriculum under Section 28.002. The [Subject to
151	151	Subsection (b-1), the] State Board of Education shall designate the
152	152	specific courses in the foundation curriculum under Section
153	153	28.002(a)(1) required under [for a student participating in] the
154	154	foundation [minimum, recommended, or advanced] high school
155	155	program. Except as otherwise provided by this section [Subsection
156	156	(b-1)], the State Board of Education may not designate a specific
157	157	course or a specific number of credits in the enrichment curriculum
158	158	as requirements for the foundation high school [recommended]
159	159	program.
160	160	(b) A school district shall ensure that each student enrolls
161	161	in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements
162	162	identified by the State Board of Education under Subsection (a) for
163	163	the foundation [recommended or advanced] high school program
164	164	[unless the student, the student's parent or other person standing
165	165	in parental relation to the student, and a school counselor or
166	166	school administrator agree in writing signed by each party that the
167	167	student should be permitted to take courses under the minimum high
168	168	school program and the student:
169	169	[(1) is at least 16 years of age;
170	170	[(2) has completed two credits required for graduation
171	171	in each subject of the foundation curriculum under Section
172	172	28.002(a)(1); or
173	173	[(3) has failed to be promoted to the tenth grade one
174	174	or more times as determined by the school district].
175	175	(b-1) The State Board of Education by rule shall require
176	176	that[:
177	177	[(1) except as provided by Subsection (b-2),] the
178	178	curriculum requirements for the foundation [recommended and
179	179	advanced] high school program [programs] under Subsection (a)
180	180	include a requirement that students successfully complete:
181	181	(1) [(A)] four credits in English language arts [each
182	182	subject of the foundation curriculum] under Section
183	183	28.002(a)(1)(A);
184	184	(2) three credits in mathematics under Section
185	185	28.002(a)(1)(B);
186	186	(3) three credits in science under Section
187	187	28.002(a)(1)(C), one of which may be satisfied by an academic
188	188	elective credit in science in addition to elective credits under
189	189	Subdivision (6);
190	190	(4) three credits in social studies under Section
191	191	28.002(a)(1)(D) [28.002(a)(1)], including at least one credit in
192	192	United States history, one-half credit in government, and [at
193	193	least] one-half credit in economics [to meet the social studies
194	194	requirement];
195	195	(5) except as provided by Subsection (b-12) [(B) for
196	196	the recommended high school program], two credits in the same
197	197	language in a language other than English under Section
198	198	28.002(a)(2)(A) or, at the option of the student, two credits in
199	199	computer programming [and, for the advanced high school program,
200	200	three credits in the same language in a language other than English
201	201	under Section 28.002(a)(2)(A)]; [and]
202	202	(6) 8-1/2 [(C) for the recommended high school
203	203	program, six] elective credits, including at least two credits in
204	204	academic electives [and, for the advanced high school program, five
205	205	elective credits];
206	206	(7) one-half credit in speech;
207	207	(8) [(2) one or more credits offered in the required
208	208	curriculum for the recommended and advanced high school programs
209	209	include a research writing component; and
210	210	[(3) the curriculum requirements for the minimum,
211	211	recommended, and advanced high school programs under Subsection (a)
212	212	include a requirement that students successfully complete:
213	213	[(A)] one credit in fine arts under Section
214	214	28.002(a)(2)(D); and
215	215	(9) [(B)] except as provided by Subsection (b-11), one
216	216	credit in physical education under Section 28.002(a)(2)(C).
217	217	(b-4) A school district may offer the curriculum described
218	218	in Subsections (b-1)(1) through (4) [Subsection (b-1)(1)(A)] in an
219	219	applied manner. Courses delivered in an applied manner must cover
220	220	the essential knowledge and skills, and the student shall be
221	221	administered the applicable end-of-course assessment instrument as
222	222	provided by Sections 39.023(c) and 39.025.
223	223	(b-5) A school district may offer a mathematics or science
224	224	course to be taken by a student after completion of Algebra II and
225	225	physics [to comply with the recommended program requirements in
226	226	Subsection (b-1)(1)(A)]. A course approved under this subsection
227	227	must be endorsed by an institution of higher education as a course
228	228	for which the institution would award course credit or as a
229	229	prerequisite for a course for which the institution would award
230	230	course credit.
231	231	(b-7) The State Board of Education, in coordination with the
232	232	Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall adopt rules to
233	233	ensure that a student may comply with the curriculum requirements
234	234	under the foundation [minimum, recommended, or advanced] high
235	235	school program for each subject of the foundation curriculum under
236	236	Section 28.002(a)(1) and for languages other than English to earn
237	237	an endorsement under Subsection (c-1)(4)(B)(iv) [under Section
238	238	28.002(a)(2)(A)] by successfully completing appropriate courses in
239	239	the core curriculum of an institution of higher education under
240	240	Section 61.822.
241	241	(b-9) The agency shall establish a pilot program allowing a
242	242	student attending school in a county with a population of more than
243	243	one million and in which more than 75 percent of the population
244	244	resides in a single municipality to satisfy the fine arts credit
245	245	[required] under Subsection (b-1)(8) [(b-1)(3)(A)] by
246	246	participating in a fine arts program not provided by the school
247	247	district in which the student is enrolled. The fine arts program
248	248	may be provided on or off a school campus and outside the regular
249	249	school day. [Not later than December 1, 2010, the agency shall
250	250	provide to the legislature a report regarding the pilot program,
251	251	including the feasibility of expanding the pilot program
252	252	statewide.]
253	253	(b-10) A school district, with the approval of the
254	254	commissioner, may allow a student to comply with the curriculum
255	255	requirements for the physical education credit required under
256	256	Subsection (b-1)(9) [(b-1)(3)(B)] by participating in a private or
257	257	commercially sponsored physical activity program provided on or off
258	258	a school campus and outside the regular school day.
259	259	(b-11) In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State
260	260	Board of Education shall allow a student who is unable to
261	261	participate in physical activity due to disability or illness to
262	262	substitute one credit in English language arts, mathematics,
263	263	science, or social studies or one academic elective credit for the
264	264	physical education credit required under Subsection (b-1)(9)
265	265	[(b-1)(3)(B)]. A credit allowed to be substituted under this
266	266	subsection may not also be used by the student to satisfy a
267	267	graduation requirement other than completion of the physical
268	268	education credit. The rules must provide that the determination
269	269	regarding a student's ability to participate in physical activity
270	270	will be made by:
271	271	(1) if the student receives special education services
272	272	under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, the student's admission, review,
273	273	and dismissal committee;
274	274	(2) if the student does not receive special education
275	275	services under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, but is covered by Section
276	276	504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794), the
277	277	committee established for the student under that Act; or
278	278	(3) if each of the committees described by
279	279	Subdivisions (1) and (2) is inapplicable, a committee established
280	280	by the school district of persons with appropriate knowledge
281	281	regarding the student.
282	282	(b-12) In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State
283	283	Board of Education shall allow a student who, due to disability, is
284	284	unable to complete two courses in the same language in a language
285	285	other than English, as provided under Subsection (b-1)(5), to
286	286	substitute for those credits two credits in English language arts,
287	287	mathematics, science, or social studies or two credits in career
288	288	and technology education or other academic electives. A credit
289	289	allowed to be substituted under this subsection may not also be used
290	290	by the student to satisfy a graduation credit requirement other
291	291	than credit for completion of a language other than English. The
292	292	rules must provide that the determination regarding a student's
293	293	ability to participate in language-other-than-English courses will
294	294	be made by:
295	295	(1) if the student receives special education services
296	296	under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, the student's admission, review,
297	297	and dismissal committee; or
298	298	(2) if the student does not receive special education
299	299	services under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, but is covered by Section
300	300	504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794), the
301	301	committee established for the student under that Act.
302	302	(c-1) A student who successfully completes the curriculum
303	303	requirements for the foundation high school program under this
304	304	section may earn any of the following endorsements on the student's
305	305	diploma and transcript as follows:
306	306	(1) a business and industry endorsement by earning one
307	307	credit in career and technology education;
308	308	(2) an academic achievement in arts and humanities
309	309	endorsement by earning:
310	310	(A) one additional credit in social studies; and
311	311	(B) one additional credit in fine arts or one
312	312	credit in career and technology education;
313	313	(3) an academic achievement in science, technology,
314	314	engineering, and mathematics (STEM) endorsement by earning:
315	315	(A) one additional credit in mathematics;
316	316	(B) one additional credit in science; and
317	317	(C) one additional credit in fine arts or one
318	318	credit in career and technology education; and
319	319	(4) a distinguished achievement endorsement by:
320	320	(A) successfully completing English III and
321	321	Algebra II courses and performing at the distinguished level
322	322	standard of performance as determined by the commissioner under
323	323	Section 39.0241(a-3) on the end-of-course assessment instruments
324	324	under Section 39.023(c) for each of those courses; and
325	325	(B) earning:
326	326	(i) one additional credit in mathematics;
327	327	(ii) one additional credit in science;
328	328	(iii) one additional credit in social
329	329	studies; and
330	330	(iv) one additional credit in the same
331	331	language in a language other than English in which the student
332	332	earned two credits for purposes of Subsection (b-1)(5), or one
333	333	additional credit in computer programming if the student earned two
334	334	credits in computer programming for purposes of Subsection
335	335	(b-1)(5), as applicable.
336	336	(c-2) The State Board of Education shall designate the
337	337	specific courses required for an endorsement under Subsection (c-1)
338	338	for courses included in the foundation curriculum under Section
339	339	28.002(a)(1).
340	340	(c-3) A student's diploma must clearly indicate any
341	341	endorsement under Subsection (c-1) that a student has earned.
342	342	(e) Each school district shall report the academic
343	343	achievement record of students who have completed the foundation [a
344	344	minimum, recommended, or advanced] high school program on
345	345	transcript forms adopted by the State Board of Education. The
346	346	transcript forms adopted by the board must be designed to clearly
347	347	[differentiate between each of the high school programs and]
348	348	identify whether a student received a diploma or a certificate of
349	349	coursework completion and to clearly indicate an endorsement under
350	350	Subsection (c-1) that a student has earned.
351	351	(h) The commissioner by rule shall adopt a transition plan
352	352	to implement and administer the amendments made by S.B. No. 3, 83rd
353	353	Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, replacing the minimum,
354	354	recommended, and advanced high school programs with the foundation
355	355	high school program beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.
356	356	Under the transition plan, a student who entered the ninth grade
357	357	before the 2013-2014 school year must be permitted to complete the
358	358	curriculum requirements required for high school graduation under:
359	359	(1) the foundation high school program, if the student
360	360	makes the choice during the 2013-2014 school year to take courses
361	361	under that program;
362	362	(2) the minimum high school program, as that program
363	363	existed before the adoption of S.B. No. 3, 83rd Legislature,
364	364	Regular Session, 2013, if the student was participating in that
365	365	program before the 2013-2014 school year;
366	366	(3) the recommended high school program, as that
367	367	program existed before the adoption of S.B. No. 3, 83rd
368	368	Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, if the student was
369	369	participating in that program before the 2013-2014 school year; or
370	370	(4) the advanced high school program, as that program
371	371	existed before the adoption of S.B. No. 3, 83rd Legislature,
372	372	Regular Session, 2013, if the student was participating in that
373	373	program before the 2013-2014 school year.
374	374	(h-1) This subsection and Subsection (h) expire September
375	375	1, 2017.
376	376	SECTION 6. Subsection (e), Section 28.0253, Education Code,
377	377	is amended to read as follows:
378	378	(e) A student who receives a high school diploma through the
379	379	pilot program is considered to have completed the foundation
380	380	[recommended] high school program adopted under Section 28.025
381	381	[28.025(a)]. The student is not guaranteed admission to any
382	382	institution of higher education or to any academic program at an
383	383	institution of higher education solely on the basis of having
384	384	received the diploma through the program.
385	385	SECTION 7. Subsection (b), Section 28.027, Education Code,
386	386	is amended to read as follows:
387	387	(b) The State Board of Education shall establish a process
388	388	under which an applied STEM course may be reviewed and approved for
389	389	purposes of satisfying the mathematics and science curriculum
390	390	requirements for the foundation [recommended] high school program
391	391	[imposed] under Section 28.025 [28.025(b-1)(1)(A)] through
392	392	substitution of the applied STEM course for a specific mathematics
393	393	or science course otherwise required under the foundation
394	394	[recommended] high school program [and completed during the
395	395	student's fourth year of mathematics or science course work]. [The
396	396	State Board of Education may only approve a course to substitute for
397	397	a mathematics course taken after successful completion of Algebra I
398	398	and geometry and after successful completion of or concurrently
399	399	with Algebra II.] The State Board of Education may only approve a
400	400	course to substitute for a science course taken after successful
401	401	completion of biology [and chemistry and after successful
402	402	completion of or concurrently with physics].
403	403	SECTION 8. Subsection (e), Section 29.096, Education Code,
404	404	is amended to read as follows:
405	405	(e) The commissioner shall establish minimum standards for
406	406	a local collaborative agreement, including a requirement that the
407	407	agreement must be signed by an authorized school district or
408	408	open-enrollment charter school officer and an authorized
409	409	representative of each of the other participating entities that is
410	410	a partner in the collaboration. The program must:
411	411	(1) limit participation in the program to students
412	412	authorized to participate by a parent or other person standing in
413	413	parental relationship;
414	414	(2) have as a primary goal graduation from high school
415	415	[under at least the recommended high school program];
416	416	(3) provide for local businesses or other employers to
417	417	offer paid employment or internship opportunities and advanced
418	418	career and vocational training;
419	419	(4) include an outreach component and a lead
420	420	educational staff member to identify and involve eligible students
421	421	and public and private entities in participating in the program;
422	422	(5) serve a population of students of which at least 50
423	423	percent are identified as students at risk of dropping out of
424	424	school, as described by Section 29.081(d);
425	425	(6) allocate not more than 15 percent of grant funds
426	426	and matching funds, as determined by the commissioner, to
427	427	administrative expenses;
428	428	(7) include matching funds from any of the
429	429	participating entities; and
430	430	(8) include any other requirements as determined by
431	431	the council.
432	432	SECTION 9. Subsection (b), Section 29.402, Education Code,
433	433	is amended to read as follows:
434	434	(b) A person who is under 26 years of age is eligible to
435	435	enroll in a dropout recovery program under this subchapter if the
436	436	person:
437	437	(1) must complete not more than three course credits
438	438	to complete the curriculum requirements for the foundation
439	439	[minimum, recommended, or advanced] high school program[, as
440	440	appropriate,] for high school graduation; or
441	441	(2) has failed to perform satisfactorily on an
442	442	end-of-course assessment instrument administered under Section
443	443	39.023(c) or an assessment instrument administered under Section
444	444	39.023(c) as that section existed before amendment by Chapter 1312
445	445	(S.B. 1031), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007.
446	446	SECTION 10. Subsection (d), Section 29.904, Education Code,
447	447	is amended to read as follows:
448	448	(d) A plan developed under this section:
449	449	(1) must establish clear, achievable goals for
450	450	increasing the percentage of the school district's graduating
451	451	seniors, particularly the graduating seniors attending a high
452	452	school described by Subsection (a), who enroll in an institution of
453	453	higher education for the academic year following graduation;
454	454	(2) must establish an accurate method of measuring
455	455	progress toward the goals established under Subdivision (1) that
456	456	may include the percentage of district high school students and the
457	457	percentage of students attending a district high school described
458	458	by Subsection (a) who:
459	459	(A) are enrolled in a course for which a student
460	460	may earn college credit, such as an advanced placement or
461	461	international baccalaureate course or a course offered through
462	462	concurrent enrollment in high school and at an institution of
463	463	higher education;
464	464	(B) are enrolled in courses that meet the
465	465	curriculum requirements for the foundation [recommended or
466	466	advanced] high school program as determined under Section 28.025;
467	467	(C) have submitted a free application for federal
468	468	student aid (FAFSA);
469	469	(D) are exempt under Section 51.3062(p) or (q)
470	470	from administration of an assessment instrument under Section
471	471	51.3062 or have performed successfully on an assessment instrument
472	472	under Section 51.3062;
473	473	(E) graduate from high school;
474	474	(F) graduate from an institution of higher
475	475	education; and
476	476	(G) have taken college entrance examinations and
477	477	the average score of those students on the examinations;
478	478	(3) must cover a period of at least five years; and
479	479	(4) may be directed at district students at any level
480	480	of primary or secondary education.
481	481	SECTION 11. Subsection (b), Section 33.007, Education Code,
482	482	is amended to read as follows:
483	483	(b) During the first school year a student is enrolled in a
484	484	high school or at the high school level in an open-enrollment
485	485	charter school, and again during a student's senior year, a
486	486	counselor shall provide information about higher education to the
487	487	student and the student's parent or guardian. The information must
488	488	include information regarding:
489	489	(1) the importance of higher education;
490	490	(2) [the advantages of completing the recommended or
491	491	advanced high school program adopted under Section 28.025(a);
492	492	[(3)] the disadvantages of taking courses to prepare
493	493	for a high school equivalency examination relative to the benefits
494	494	of taking courses leading to a high school diploma;
495	495	(3) [(4)] financial aid eligibility;
496	496	(4) [(5)] instruction on how to apply for federal
497	497	financial aid;
498	498	(5) [(6)] the center for financial aid information
499	499	established under Section 61.0776;
500	500	(6) [(7)] the automatic admission of certain students
501	501	to general academic teaching institutions as provided by Section
502	502	51.803;
503	503	(7) [(8)] the eligibility and academic performance
504	504	requirements for the TEXAS Grant as provided by Subchapter M,
505	505	Chapter 56; and
506	506	(8) [(9)] the availability of programs in the district
507	507	under which a student may earn college credit, including advanced
508	508	placement programs, dual credit programs, joint high school and
509	509	college credit programs, and international baccalaureate programs.
510	510	SECTION 12. Subsection (c), Section 39.023, Education Code,
511	511	is amended to read as follows:
512	512	(c) The agency shall also adopt end-of-course assessment
513	513	instruments for secondary-level courses in Algebra I, Algebra II,
514	514	geometry, biology, chemistry, physics, English I, English II,
515	515	English III, world geography, world history, and United States
516	516	history. The Algebra I, Algebra II, and geometry end-of-course
517	517	assessment instruments must be administered with the aid of
518	518	technology. A school district shall comply with State Board of
519	519	Education rules regarding administration of the assessment
520	520	instruments listed in this subsection [and shall adopt a policy
521	521	that requires a student's performance on an end-of-course
522	522	assessment instrument for a course listed in this subsection in
523	523	which the student is enrolled to account for 15 percent of the
524	524	student's final grade for the course. If a student retakes an
525	525	end-of-course assessment instrument for a course listed in this
526	526	subsection, as provided by Section 39.025, a school district is not
527	527	required to use the student's performance on the subsequent
528	528	administration or administrations of the assessment instrument to
529	529	determine the student's final grade for the course]. If a student
530	530	is in a special education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29,
531	531	the student's admission, review, and dismissal committee shall
532	532	determine whether any allowable modification is necessary in
533	533	administering to the student an assessment instrument required
534	534	under this subsection. The State Board of Education shall
535	535	administer the assessment instruments. The State Board of
536	536	Education shall adopt a schedule for the administration of
537	537	end-of-course assessment instruments that complies with the
538	538	requirements of Subsection (c-3).
539	539	SECTION 13. Section 39.0241, Education Code, is amended by
540	540	amending Subsection (a-2) and adding Subsection (a-3) to read as
541	541	follows:
542	542	(a-2) For the purpose of establishing performance across
543	543	grade levels, the commissioner shall establish:
544	544	(1) the performance standards for the Algebra II and
545	545	English III end-of-course assessment instruments, as provided
546	546	under Section 39.024(b) and under Subsections [Subsection] (a) and
547	547	(a-3);
548	548	(2) the performance standards for the Algebra I and
549	549	English II end-of-course assessment instruments, as determined
550	550	based on studies under Section 39.0242 that correlate student
551	551	performance on the Algebra I and English II end-of-course
552	552	assessment instruments with student performance on the Algebra II
553	553	and English III assessment instruments;
554	554	(3) the performance standards for the English I
555	555	end-of-course assessment instrument, as determined based on
556	556	studies under Section 39.0242 that correlate student performance on
557	557	the English I end-of-course assessment instrument with student
558	558	performance on the English II assessment instrument;
559	559	(4) the performance standards for the grade eight
560	560	assessment instruments, as determined based on studies under
561	561	Section 39.0242 that correlate student performance on the grade
562	562	eight assessment instruments with student performance on the
563	563	Algebra I and English I end-of-course assessment instruments in the
564	564	same content area; and
565	565	(5) the performance standards on the assessment
566	566	instruments in each of grades three through seven, as determined
567	567	based on studies under Section 39.0242 that correlate student
568	568	performance in the same content area on the assessment instrument
569	569	for each grade with student performance on the assessment
570	570	instrument in the succeeding grade.
571	571	(a-3) The commissioner shall determine the level of
572	572	performance considered to be distinguished performance on the
573	573	assessment instruments. The distinguished level of performance
574	574	must be a level of performance that is higher than satisfactory
575	575	performance as determined under Subsection (a).
576	576	SECTION 14. Subsection (e), Section 39.0242, Education
577	577	Code, is amended to read as follows:
578	578	(e) Based on the data collected and studies performed
579	579	periodically under Subsection (d), the commissioner shall increase
580	580	the rigor of the performance standard established under Section
581	581	39.0241(a) or (a-3) as the commissioner determines necessary.
582	582	SECTION 15. Subsections (a), (a-1), (b), and (b-2), Section
583	583	39.025, Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
584	584	(a) The commissioner shall adopt rules requiring a student
585	585	[participating] in the foundation [recommended or advanced] high
586	586	school program under Section 28.025 to be administered [each
587	587	end-of-course assessment instrument listed in Section 39.023(c)
588	588	and requiring a student participating in the minimum high school
589	589	program to be administered] an end-of-course assessment instrument
590	590	listed in Section 39.023(c) only for a course in which the student
591	591	is enrolled and for which an end-of-course assessment instrument is
592	592	administered. A student is required to achieve[, in each subject
593	593	in the foundation curriculum under Section 28.002(a)(1), a
594	594	cumulative score that is at least equal to the product of the number
595	595	of end-of-course assessment instruments administered to the
596	596	student in that subject and] a scale score that indicates
597	597	satisfactory performance, as determined by the commissioner under
598	598	Section 39.0241(a), on each end-of-course assessment instrument
599	599	listed under Section 39.023 that is administered to the student as
600	600	provided by this subsection. [A student must achieve a minimum
601	601	score as determined by the commissioner to be within a reasonable
602	602	range of the scale score under Section 39.0241(a) on an
603	603	end-of-course assessment instrument for the score to count towards
604	604	the student's cumulative score. For purposes of this subsection, a
605	605	student's cumulative score is determined using the student's
606	606	highest score on each end-of-course assessment instrument
607	607	administered to the student.] A student may not receive a high
608	608	school diploma until the student has performed satisfactorily on
609	609	the end-of-course assessment instruments in the manner provided
610	610	under this subsection. This subsection does not require a student
611	611	to demonstrate readiness to enroll in an institution of higher
612	612	education.
613	613	(a-1) The commissioner by rule shall determine a method by
614	614	which a student's satisfactory performance on an advanced placement
615	615	test, an international baccalaureate examination, an SAT Subject
616	616	Test, or another assessment instrument determined by the
617	617	commissioner to be at least as rigorous as an end-of-course
618	618	assessment instrument adopted under Section 39.023(c) may be used
619	619	as a factor in determining whether the student satisfies the
620	620	requirements of Subsection (a)[, including the cumulative score
621	621	requirement of that subsection]. The commissioner by rule may
622	622	determine a method by which a student's satisfactory performance on
623	623	a Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) [assessment] or a
624	624	preliminary American College Test (ACT) [assessment] may be used as
625	625	a factor in determining whether the student satisfies the
626	626	requirements of Subsection (a).
627	627	(b) Each time an end-of-course assessment instrument is
628	628	administered, a student who failed to achieve a [minimum] score
629	629	requirement under Subsection (a) shall retake the assessment
630	630	instrument. A student who fails to perform satisfactorily on an
631	631	Algebra II or English III end-of-course assessment instrument under
632	632	the college readiness performance standard, as provided under
633	633	Section 39.024(b), may retake the assessment instrument. Any other
634	634	student may retake an end-of-course assessment instrument for any
635	635	reason. A student is not required to retake a course as a condition
636	636	of retaking an end-of-course assessment instrument.
637	637	(b-2) If a school district determines that a student, on
638	638	completion of grade 11, is unlikely to achieve the [cumulative]
639	639	score requirement under Subsection (a) [requirements] for one or
640	640	more end-of-course assessment instruments administered to the
641	641	student as provided [subjects prescribed] by Subsection (a) for
642	642	receiving a high school diploma, the district shall require the
643	643	student to enroll in a corresponding content-area college
644	644	preparatory course for which an end-of-course assessment
645	645	instrument has been adopted, if available. A student who enrolls
646	646	in a college preparatory course described by this subsection shall
647	647	be administered an end-of-course assessment instrument for the
648	648	course, with the end-of-course assessment instrument scored on a
649	649	scale as determined by the commissioner [not to exceed 20 percent of
650	650	the cumulative score requirements required to graduate as
651	651	determined under Subsection (a)]. A student may use the student's
652	652	score on the end-of-course assessment instrument for the college
653	653	preparatory course towards satisfying the [cumulative] score
654	654	requirement [requirements] prescribed by Subsection (a).
655	655	SECTION 16. Subsections (c), (f), and (i), Section 39.053,
656	656	Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
657	657	(c) Indicators of student achievement adopted under this
658	658	section must include:
659	659	(1) the results of assessment instruments required
660	660	under Sections 39.023(a), (c), and (l), including the results of
661	661	assessment instruments required for graduation retaken by a
662	662	student, aggregated across grade levels by subject area, including:
663	663	(A) for the performance standard determined by
664	664	the commissioner under Section 39.0241(a):
665	665	(i) the percentage of students who
666	666	performed satisfactorily on the assessment instruments, aggregated
667	667	across grade levels by subject area; and
668	668	(ii) for students who did not perform
669	669	satisfactorily, the percentage of students who met the standard for
670	670	annual improvement, as determined by the agency under Section
671	671	39.034, on the assessment instruments, aggregated across grade
672	672	levels by subject area; [and]
673	673	(B) for the college readiness performance
674	674	standard as determined under Section 39.0241:
675	675	(i) the percentage of students who
676	676	performed satisfactorily on the assessment instruments, aggregated
677	677	across grade levels by subject area; and
678	678	(ii) for students who did not perform
679	679	satisfactorily, the percentage of students who met the standard for
680	680	annual improvement, as determined by the agency under Section
681	681	39.034, on the assessment instruments, aggregated across grade
682	682	levels by subject area; and
683	683	(C) for the performance standard determined by
684	684	the commissioner under Section 39.0241(a-3):
685	685	(i) the percentage of students who
686	686	performed satisfactorily on the assessment instruments, aggregated
687	687	across grade levels by subject area; and
688	688	(ii) for students who did not perform
689	689	satisfactorily, the percentage of students who met the standard for
690	690	annual improvement, as determined by the agency under Section
691	691	39.034, on the assessment instruments, aggregated across grade
692	692	levels by subject area;
693	693	(2) dropout rates, including dropout rates and
694	694	district completion rates for grade levels 9 through 12, computed
695	695	in accordance with standards and definitions adopted by the
696	696	National Center for Education Statistics of the United States
697	697	Department of Education; and
698	698	(3) high school graduation rates, computed in
699	699	accordance with standards and definitions adopted in compliance
700	700	with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. Section 6301 et
701	701	seq.).
702	702	(f) Annually, the commissioner shall define the state
703	703	standard for the current school year for each student achievement
704	704	indicator described by Subsection (c) and shall project the state
705	705	standards for each indicator for the following two school
706	706	years. The commissioner shall periodically raise the state
707	707	standards for the student achievement indicator described by
708	708	Subsection (c)(1)(B)(i) for accreditation as necessary to reach the
709	709	goals of achieving, by not later than the 2019-2020 school year:
710	710	(1) student performance in this state, disaggregated
711	711	by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, that ranks nationally
712	712	in the top 10 states in terms of college readiness; and
713	713	(2) student performance[, including the percentage of
714	714	students graduating under the recommended or advanced high school
715	715	program,] with no significant achievement gaps by race, ethnicity,
716	716	and socioeconomic status.
717	717	(i) The commissioner by rule shall adopt accountability
718	718	measures to be used in assessing the progress of students who have
719	719	failed to perform satisfactorily as determined by the commissioner
720	720	under any performance standard under Section 39.0241 [39.0241(a) or
721	721	under the college readiness standard as determined under Section
722	722	39.0241] in the preceding school year on an assessment instrument
723	723	required under Section 39.023(a), (c), or (l).
724	724	SECTION 17. Subsection (a), Section 39.057, Education Code,
725	725	is amended to read as follows:
726	726	(a) The commissioner shall authorize special accreditation
727	727	investigations to be conducted:
728	728	(1) when excessive numbers of absences of students
729	729	eligible to be tested on state assessment instruments are
730	730	determined;
731	731	(2) when excessive numbers of allowable exemptions
732	732	from the required state assessment instruments are determined;
733	733	(3) in response to complaints submitted to the agency
734	734	with respect to alleged violations of civil rights or other
735	735	requirements imposed on the state by federal law or court order;
736	736	(4) in response to established compliance reviews of
737	737	the district's financial accounting practices and state and federal
738	738	program requirements;
739	739	(5) when extraordinary numbers of student placements
740	740	in disciplinary alternative education programs, other than
741	741	placements under Sections 37.006 and 37.007, are determined;
742	742	(6) in response to an allegation involving a conflict
743	743	between members of the board of trustees or between the board and
744	744	the district administration if it appears that the conflict
745	745	involves a violation of a role or duty of the board members or the
746	746	administration clearly defined by this code;
747	747	(7) when excessive numbers of students in special
748	748	education programs under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, are assessed
749	749	through assessment instruments developed or adopted under Section
750	750	39.023(b);
751	751	(8) in response to an allegation regarding or an
752	752	analysis using a statistical method result indicating a possible
753	753	violation of an assessment instrument security procedure
754	754	established under Section 39.0301, including for the purpose of
755	755	investigating or auditing a school district under that section;
756	756	(9) when a significant pattern of decreased academic
757	757	performance has developed as a result of the promotion in the
758	758	preceding two school years of students who did not perform
759	759	satisfactorily as determined by the commissioner under Section
760	760	39.0241(a) on assessment instruments administered under Section
761	761	39.023(a), (c), or (l);
762	762	(10) [when excessive numbers of students graduate
763	763	under the minimum high school program;
764	764	[(11)] when excessive numbers of students eligible to
765	765	enroll fail to complete an Algebra II course or any other advanced
766	766	course as determined by the commissioner [as distinguishing between
767	767	students participating in the recommended high school program from
768	768	students participating in the minimum high school program];
769	769	(11) [(12)] when resource allocation practices as
770	770	evaluated under Section 39.0821 indicate a potential for
771	771	significant improvement in resource allocation; or
772	772	(12) [(13)] as the commissioner otherwise determines
773	773	necessary.
774	774	SECTION 18. Subsection (c), Section 39.301, Education Code,
775	775	is amended to read as follows:
776	776	(c) Indicators for reporting purposes must include:
777	777	(1) the percentage of graduating students who meet the
778	778	course requirements established under Section 28.025(c-1) for
779	779	endorsements under that section [by State Board of Education rule
780	780	for the minimum high school program, the recommended high school
781	781	program, and the advanced high school program];
782	782	(2) the results of the SAT, ACT, articulated
783	783	postsecondary degree programs described by Section 61.852, and
784	784	certified workforce training programs described by Chapter 311,
785	785	Labor Code;
786	786	(3) for students who have failed to perform
787	787	satisfactorily, under each performance standard under Section
788	788	39.0241, on an assessment instrument required under Section
789	789	39.023(a) or (c), the performance of those students on subsequent
790	790	assessment instruments required under those sections, aggregated
791	791	by grade level and subject area;
792	792	(4) for each campus, the number of students,
793	793	disaggregated by major student subpopulations, that [agree under
794	794	Section 28.025(b) to] take courses under the foundation [minimum]
795	795	high school program and take additional courses to earn an
796	796	endorsement under Section 28.025(c-1), disaggregated by type of
797	797	endorsement;
798	798	(5) the percentage of students, aggregated by grade
799	799	level, provided accelerated instruction under Section 28.0211(c),
800	800	the results of assessment instruments administered under that
801	801	section, the percentage of students promoted through the grade
802	802	placement committee process under Section 28.0211, the subject of
803	803	the assessment instrument on which each student failed to perform
804	804	satisfactorily under each performance standard under Section
805	805	39.0241, and the performance of those students in the school year
806	806	following that promotion on the assessment instruments required
807	807	under Section 39.023;
808	808	(6) the percentage of students of limited English
809	809	proficiency exempted from the administration of an assessment
810	810	instrument under Sections 39.027(a)(1) and (2);
811	811	(7) the percentage of students in a special education
812	812	program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, assessed through assessment
813	813	instruments developed or adopted under Section 39.023(b);
814	814	(8) the percentage of students who satisfy the college
815	815	readiness measure;
816	816	(9) the measure of progress toward dual language
817	817	proficiency under Section 39.034(b), for students of limited
818	818	English proficiency, as defined by Section 29.052;
819	819	(10) the percentage of students who are not
820	820	educationally disadvantaged;
821	821	(11) the percentage of students who enroll and begin
822	822	instruction at an institution of higher education in the school
823	823	year following high school graduation; and
824	824	(12) the percentage of students who successfully
825	825	complete the first year of instruction at an institution of higher
826	826	education without needing a developmental education course.
827	827	SECTION 19. Subsection (b), Section 39.303, Education Code,
828	828	is amended to read as follows:
829	829	(b) For a student who failed to perform satisfactorily as
830	830	determined under any [either] performance standard under Section
831	831	39.0241 on an assessment instrument administered under Section
832	832	39.023(a), (c), or (l), the school district shall include in the
833	833	notice specific information relating to access to educational
834	834	resources at the appropriate assessment instrument content level,
835	835	including assessment instrument questions and answers released
836	836	under Section 39.023(e).
837	837	SECTION 20. Subsections (a) and (c), Section 42.154,
838	838	Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
839	839	(a) For each full-time equivalent student in average daily
840	840	attendance in an approved career and technology education program
841	841	in grades eight [nine] through 12, [or] in career and technology
842	842	education programs for students with disabilities in grades seven
843	843	through 12, or in a course in career explorations in grade seven or
844	844	eight, a district is entitled to:
845	845	(1) an annual allotment equal to the adjusted basic
846	846	allotment multiplied by a weight of 1.35; and
847	847	(2) $50, if the student is in grades nine through 12
848	848	and enrolled in:
849	849	(A) two or more advanced career and technology
850	850	education classes for a total of three or more credits; or
851	851	(B) an advanced course as part of a tech-prep
852	852	program under Subchapter T, Chapter 61.
853	853	(c) Funds allocated under this section, other than an
854	854	indirect cost allotment established under State Board of Education
855	855	rule, must be used in providing:
856	856	(1) career and technology education programs in grades
857	857	eight [nine] through 12 or career and technology education programs
858	858	for students with disabilities in grades seven through 12 under
859	859	Sections 29.182, 29.183, and 29.184; or
860	860	(2) courses in career explorations for students in
861	861	grade seven or eight.
862	862	SECTION 21. Subsection (q-1), Section 51.3062, Education
863	863	Code, is amended to read as follows:
864	864	(q-1) A student who has completed the foundation [a
865	865	recommended or advanced] high school program as determined under
866	866	Section 28.025 and demonstrated the performance standard for
867	867	college readiness as provided by Section 39.024 on the Algebra II
868	868	and English III end-of-course assessment instruments is exempt from
869	869	the requirements of this section with respect to those content
870	870	areas. The commissioner of higher education by rule shall
871	871	establish the period for which an exemption under this subsection
872	872	is valid.
873	873	SECTION 22. Subsections (a) and (d), Section 51.803,
874	874	Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
875	875	(a) Subject to Subsection (a-1), each general academic
876	876	teaching institution shall admit an applicant for admission to the
877	877	institution as an undergraduate student if the applicant graduated
878	878	with a grade point average in the top 10 percent of the student's
879	879	high school graduating class in one of the two school years
880	880	preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for
881	881	admission and:
882	882	(1) the applicant graduated from a public or private
883	883	high school in this state accredited by a generally recognized
884	884	accrediting organization or from a high school operated by the
885	885	United States Department of Defense;
886	886	(2) the applicant:
887	887	(A) successfully completed:
888	888	(i) at a public high school, the curriculum
889	889	requirements established under Section 28.025 for the foundation
890	890	[recommended or advanced] high school program; or
891	891	(ii) at a high school to which Section
892	892	28.025 does not apply, a curriculum that is equivalent in content
893	893	and rigor to the foundation [recommended or advanced] high school
894	894	program; or
895	895	(B) satisfied ACT's College Readiness Benchmarks
896	896	on the ACT assessment applicable to the applicant or earned on the
897	897	SAT assessment a score of at least 1,500 out of 2,400 or the
898	898	equivalent; and
899	899	(3) if the applicant graduated from a high school
900	900	operated by the United States Department of Defense, the applicant
901	901	is a Texas resident under Section 54.052 or is entitled to pay
902	902	tuition fees at the rate provided for Texas residents under Section
903	903	54.241(d) [54.058(d)] for the term or semester to which admitted.
904	904	(d) For purposes of Subsection (c)(2), a student's official
905	905	transcript or diploma must, not later than the end of the student's
906	906	junior year, indicate[:
907	907	[(1)] whether the student has satisfied or is on
908	908	schedule to satisfy the requirements of Subsection (a)(2)(A)(i) or
909	909	(ii), as applicable[; or
910	910	[(2) if Subsection (b) applies to the student, whether
911	911	the student has completed the portion of the recommended or
912	912	advanced curriculum or of the curriculum equivalent in content and
913	913	rigor, as applicable, that was available to the student].
914	914	SECTION 23. Section 51.804, Education Code, is amended to
915	915	read as follows:
916	916	Sec. 51.804. ADDITIONAL AUTOMATIC ADMISSIONS: SELECTED
917	917	INSTITUTIONS. For each academic year, the governing board of each
918	918	general academic teaching institution shall determine whether to
919	919	adopt an admissions policy under which an applicant to the
920	920	institution as a first-time freshman student, other than an
921	921	applicant eligible for admission under Section 51.803, shall be
922	922	admitted to the institution if the applicant:
923	923	(1) graduated from a public or private high school in
924	924	this state accredited by a generally recognized accrediting
925	925	organization with a grade point average in the top 25 percent of the
926	926	applicant's high school graduating class; and
927	927	(2) satisfies the requirements of:
928	928	(A) Section 51.803(a)(2)(A) or (B) [51.803(b),
929	929	as applicable to the student, or Section 51.803 (a)(2)(B)]; and
930	930	(B) Sections 51.803(c)(2) and 51.803(d).
931	931	SECTION 24. Subsection (a), Section 51.805, Education Code,
932	932	is amended to read as follows:
933	933	(a) A graduating student who does not qualify for admission
934	934	under Section 51.803 or 51.804 may apply to any general academic
935	935	teaching institution if the student satisfies the requirements of:
936	936	(1) Section 51.803(a)(2)(A) or (B) [51.803(b), as
937	937	applicable to the student, or Section 51.803(a)(2)(B)]; and
938	938	(2) Sections 51.803(c)(2) and 51.803(d).
939	939	SECTION 25. Subsection (b), Section 51.807, Education Code,
940	940	is amended to read as follows:
941	941	(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, after
942	942	consulting with the Texas Education Agency, by rule shall establish
943	943	standards for determining for purposes of this subchapter:
944	944	(1) whether a private high school is accredited by a
945	945	generally recognized accrediting organization; and
946	946	(2) whether a person completed a high school
947	947	curriculum that is equivalent in content and rigor to the
948	948	curriculum requirements established under Section 28.025 for the
949	949	foundation [recommended or advanced] high school program.
950	950	SECTION 26. Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is
951	951	amended by adding Section 56.009 to read as follows:
952	952	Sec. 56.009. ELIGIBILITY BASED ON GRADUATION UNDER CERTAIN
953	953	HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS. To the extent that a person's eligibility to
954	954	participate in any program under this chapter, including
955	955	Subchapters K, M, Q, and R, is contingent on the person graduating
956	956	under the recommended or advanced high school program, as those
957	957	programs existed before the adoption of S.B. No. 3, 83rd
958	958	Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, the Texas Higher Education
959	959	Coordinating Board and the commissioner of education shall jointly
960	960	adopt rules to modify, clarify, or otherwise establish for affected
961	961	programs appropriate eligibility requirements regarding high
962	962	school curriculum completion.
963	963	SECTION 27. Section 56.3041, Education Code, is amended to
964	964	read as follows:
965	965	Sec. 56.3041. INITIAL ELIGIBILITY OF PERSON GRADUATING FROM
966	966	HIGH SCHOOL ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 2013, AND ENROLLING IN A GENERAL
967	967	ACADEMIC TEACHING INSTITUTION. Notwithstanding Section 56.304(a),
968	968	to be eligible initially for a TEXAS grant, a person graduating from
969	969	high school on or after May 1, 2013, and enrolling in a general
970	970	academic teaching institution must:
971	971	(1) be a resident of this state as determined by
972	972	coordinating board rules;
973	973	(2) meet the academic requirements prescribed by
974	974	Paragraph (A), (B), or (C) as follows:
975	975	(A) be a graduate of a public or accredited
976	976	private high school in this state who completed the foundation
977	977	[recommended] high school program established under Section 28.025
978	978	or its equivalent and have accomplished any two or more of the
979	979	following:
980	980	(i) [graduation under the advanced high
981	981	school program established under Section 28.025 or its equivalent,]
982	982	successful completion of the course requirements of the
983	983	international baccalaureate diploma program[,] or earning of the
984	984	equivalent of at least 12 semester credit hours of college credit in
985	985	high school through courses described in Sections 28.009(a)(1),
986	986	(2), and (3);
987	987	(ii) satisfaction of the Texas Success
988	988	Initiative (TSI) college readiness benchmarks prescribed by the
989	989	coordinating board under Section 51.3062(f) on any assessment
990	990	instrument designated by the coordinating board under Section
991	991	51.3062(c) [or (e)] or qualification for an exemption as described
992	992	by Section 51.3062(p), (q), or (q-1);
993	993	(iii) graduation in the top one-third of
994	994	the person's high school graduating class or graduation from high
995	995	school with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a four-point
996	996	scale or the equivalent; or
997	997	(iv) completion for high school credit of
998	998	at least one advanced mathematics course following the successful
999	999	completion of an Algebra II course, as designated by the
1000	1000	coordinating board by rule in consultation with the State Board of
1001	1001	Education, [permitted by Section 28.025(b-3),] or at least one
1002	1002	advanced career and technical course, as designated by the
1003	1003	coordinating board by rule in consultation with the State Board of
1004	1004	Education [permitted by Section 28.025(b-2)];
1005	1005	(B) have received an associate degree from a
1006	1006	public or private institution of higher education; or
1007	1007	(C) if sufficient money is available, meet the
1008	1008	eligibility criteria described by Section 56.304(a)(2)(A);
1009	1009	(3) meet financial need requirements established by
1010	1010	the coordinating board;
1011	1011	(4) be enrolled in an undergraduate degree or
1012	1012	certificate program at the general academic teaching institution;
1013	1013	(5) except as provided under rules adopted under
1014	1014	Section 56.304(h), be enrolled as:
1015	1015	(A) an entering undergraduate student for at
1016	1016	least three-fourths of a full course load, as determined by the
1017	1017	coordinating board, not later than the 16th month after the
1018	1018	calendar month in which the person graduated from high school;
1019	1019	(B) an entering undergraduate student who
1020	1020	entered military service not later than the first anniversary of
1021	1021	the date the person graduated from high school and who enrolled for
1022	1022	at least three-fourths of a full course load, as determined by the
1023	1023	coordinating board, at the general academic teaching institution
1024	1024	not later than 12 months after being honorably discharged from
1025	1025	military service; or
1026	1026	(C) a continuing undergraduate student for at
1027	1027	least three-fourths of a full course load, as determined by the
1028	1028	coordinating board, not later than the 12th month after the
1029	1029	calendar month in which the person received an associate degree
1030	1030	from a public or private institution of higher education;
1031	1031	(6) have applied for any available financial aid or
1032	1032	assistance; and
1033	1033	(7) comply with any additional nonacademic
1034	1034	requirements adopted by the coordinating board under this
1035	1035	subchapter.
1036	1036	SECTION 28. Subsection (a), Section 61.0517, Education
1037	1037	Code, is amended to read as follows:
1038	1038	(a) In this section, "applied STEM course" means an applied
1039	1039	science, technology, engineering, or mathematics course offered as
1040	1040	part of a school district's career and technology education
1041	1041	curriculum and approved, as provided by Section 28.027, by the
1042	1042	State Board of Education for purposes of satisfying the mathematics
1043	1043	and science curriculum requirements for the foundation
1044	1044	[recommended] high school program [imposed] under Section 28.025
1045	1045	[28.025(b-1)(1)(A)].
1046	1046	SECTION 29. Subsection (b), Section 61.792, Education Code,
1047	1047	is amended to read as follows:
1048	1048	(b) To qualify for a scholarship under this section, a
1049	1049	student must:
1050	1050	(1) have graduated with a grade point average in the
1051	1051	top 20 percent of the student's high school graduating class;
1052	1052	(2) have graduated from high school with a grade point
1053	1053	average of at least 3.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent in
1054	1054	mathematics and science courses offered under the foundation
1055	1055	[recommended or advanced] high school program under Section 28.025
1056	1056	[28.025(a)]; and
1057	1057	(3) maintain an overall grade point average of at
1058	1058	least 3.0 on a four-point scale at the general academic teaching
1059	1059	institution or the private or independent institution of higher
1060	1060	education in which the student is enrolled.
1061	1061	SECTION 30. Subsection (a), Section 61.852, Education Code,
1062	1062	is amended to read as follows:
1063	1063	(a) A tech-prep program is a program of study that:
1064	1064	(1) combines at least two years of secondary education
1065	1065	with at least two years of postsecondary education in a
1066	1066	nonduplicative, sequential course of study based on the foundation
1067	1067	[recommended] high school program adopted by the State Board of
1068	1068	Education under Section 28.025 [28.025(a)];
1069	1069	(2) integrates academic instruction and vocational
1070	1070	and technical instruction;
1071	1071	(3) uses work-based and worksite learning where
1072	1072	available and appropriate;
1073	1073	(4) provides technical preparation in a career field
1074	1074	such as engineering technology, applied science, a mechanical,
1075	1075	industrial, or practical art or trade, agriculture, health
1076	1076	occupations, business, or applied economics;
1077	1077	(5) builds student competence in mathematics,
1078	1078	science, reading, writing, communications, economics, and
1079	1079	workplace skills through applied, contextual academics and
1080	1080	integrated instruction in a coherent sequence of courses;
1081	1081	(6) leads to an associate degree, two-year
1082	1082	postsecondary certificate, or postsecondary two-year
1083	1083	apprenticeship with provisions, to the extent applicable, for
1084	1084	students to continue toward completion of a baccalaureate degree;
1085	1085	and
1086	1086	(7) leads to placement in appropriate employment or to
1087	1087	further education.
1088	1088	SECTION 31. Subsection (d), Section 61.855, Education Code,
1089	1089	is amended to read as follows:
1090	1090	(d) A tech-prep program must:
1091	1091	(1) be implemented under an articulation agreement
1092	1092	between the participants in the consortium;
1093	1093	(2) consist of two to four years of secondary school
1094	1094	preceding graduation and:
1095	1095	(A) two or more years of higher education; or
1096	1096	(B) two or more years of apprenticeship following
1097	1097	secondary instruction;
1098	1098	(3) have a common core of required proficiency based
1099	1099	on the foundation [recommended] high school program adopted by the
1100	1100	State Board of Education under Section 28.025 [28.025(a)], with
1101	1101	proficiencies in mathematics, science, reading, writing,
1102	1102	communications, and technologies designed to lead to an associate's
1103	1103	degree or postsecondary certificate in a specific career field;
1104	1104	(4) include the development of tech-prep program
1105	1105	curricula for both secondary and postsecondary participants in the
1106	1106	consortium that:
1107	1107	(A) meets academic standards developed by the
1108	1108	state;
1109	1109	(B) links secondary schools and two-year
1110	1110	postsecondary institutions, and, if practicable, four-year
1111	1111	institutions of higher education through nonduplicative sequences
1112	1112	of courses in career fields, including the investigation of
1113	1113	opportunities for tech-prep students to enroll concurrently in
1114	1114	secondary and postsecondary course work;
1115	1115	(C) uses, if appropriate and available,
1116	1116	work-based or worksite learning in conjunction with business and
1117	1117	all aspects of an industry; and
1118	1118	(D) uses educational technology and distance
1119	1119	learning, as appropriate, to involve each consortium participant
1120	1120	more fully in the development and operation of programs;
1121	1121	(5) include in-service training for teachers that:
1122	1122	(A) is designed to train vocational and technical
1123	1123	teachers to effectively implement tech-prep programs;
1124	1124	(B) provides for joint training for teachers in
1125	1125	the tech-prep consortium;
1126	1126	(C) is designed to ensure that teachers and
1127	1127	administrators stay current with the needs, expectations, and
1128	1128	methods of business and of all aspects of an industry;
1129	1129	(D) focuses on training postsecondary education
1130	1130	faculty in the use of contextual and applied curricula and
1131	1131	instruction; and
1132	1132	(E) provides training in the use and application
1133	1133	of technology;
1134	1134	(6) include training programs for counselors designed
1135	1135	to enable counselors to more effectively:
1136	1136	(A) provide information to students regarding
1137	1137	tech-prep programs;
1138	1138	(B) support student progress in completing
1139	1139	tech-prep programs;
1140	1140	(C) provide information on related employment
1141	1141	opportunities;
1142	1142	(D) ensure that tech-prep students are placed in
1143	1143	appropriate employment; and
1144	1144	(E) stay current with the needs, expectations,
1145	1145	and methods of business and of all aspects of an industry;
1146	1146	(7) provide equal access to the full range of
1147	1147	tech-prep programs for individuals who are members of special
1148	1148	populations, including by the development of tech-prep program
1149	1149	services appropriate to the needs of special populations; and
1150	1150	(8) provide for preparatory services that assist
1151	1151	participants in tech-prep programs.
1152	1152	SECTION 32. Subsection (c), Section 61.861, Education Code,
1153	1153	is amended to read as follows:
1154	1154	(c) A course developed for purposes of this section must:
1155	1155	(1) provide content that enables a student to develop
1156	1156	the relevant and critical skills needed to be prepared for
1157	1157	employment or additional training in a high-demand occupation;
1158	1158	(2) incorporate college and career readiness skills as
1159	1159	part of the curriculum;
1160	1160	(3) be offered for dual credit; and
1161	1161	(4) satisfy a mathematics or science requirement under
1162	1162	the foundation [recommended or advanced] high school program as
1163	1163	determined under Section 28.025.
1164	1164	SECTION 33. Section 61.864, Education Code, is amended to
1165	1165	read as follows:
1166	1166	Sec. 61.864. REVIEW OF COURSES. Courses for which a grant
1167	1167	is awarded under this subchapter shall be reviewed by the
1168	1168	commissioner of higher education and the commissioner of education,
1169	1169	in consultation with the comptroller and the Texas Workforce
1170	1170	Commission, once every four years to determine whether the course:
1171	1171	(1) is being used by public educational institutions
1172	1172	in this state;
1173	1173	(2) prepares high school students with the skills
1174	1174	necessary for employment in the high-demand occupation and further
1175	1175	postsecondary study; and
1176	1176	(3) satisfies a mathematics or science requirement for
1177	1177	the foundation [recommended or advanced] high school program as
1178	1178	determined under Section 28.025.
1179	1179	SECTION 34. Subsection (b), Section 78.10, Education Code,
1180	1180	is amended to read as follows:
1181	1181	(b) The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science is a
1182	1182	division of The University of Texas at Brownsville and is under the
1183	1183	management and control of the board. The academy serves the
1184	1184	following purposes:
1185	1185	(1) to provide academically gifted and highly
1186	1186	motivated junior and senior high school students with a challenging
1187	1187	university-level curriculum that:
1188	1188	(A) allows students to complete high school
1189	1189	graduation requirements[, including requirements adopted] under
1190	1190	Section 28.025 for the foundation [advanced] high school program,
1191	1191	while attending for academic credit a public institution of higher
1192	1192	education;
1193	1193	(B) fosters students' knowledge of real-world
1194	1194	mathematics and science issues and applications and teaches
1195	1195	students to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to
1196	1196	those issues and problems;
1197	1197	(C) includes the study of English, foreign
1198	1198	languages, social studies, mathematics, science, and technology;
1199	1199	and
1200	1200	(D) offers students learning opportunities
1201	1201	related to mathematics and science through in-depth research and
1202	1202	field-based studies;
1203	1203	(2) to provide students with an awareness of
1204	1204	mathematics and science careers and professional development
1205	1205	opportunities through seminars, workshops, collaboration with
1206	1206	postsecondary and university students including opportunities for
1207	1207	summer studies, internships in foreign countries, and similar
1208	1208	methods; and
1209	1209	(3) to provide students with social development
1210	1210	activities that enrich the academic curriculum and student life,
1211	1211	including, as determined appropriate by the academy, University
1212	1212	Interscholastic League activities and other extracurricular
1213	1213	activities.
1214	1214	SECTION 35. Subsection (b), Section 87.505, Education Code,
1215	1215	is amended to read as follows:
1216	1216	(b) The Texas Academy of International Studies is a division
1217	1217	of Texas A&M International University and is under the management
1218	1218	and control of the board. The academy serves the following
1219	1219	purposes:
1220	1220	(1) to provide academically gifted and highly
1221	1221	motivated junior and senior high school students with a challenging
1222	1222	university-level curriculum that:
1223	1223	(A) allows students to complete high school
1224	1224	graduation requirements[, including requirements adopted] under
1225	1225	Section 28.025 for the foundation [advanced] high school program,
1226	1226	while attending for academic credit a public institution of higher
1227	1227	education;
1228	1228	(B) fosters students' knowledge of real-world
1229	1229	international issues and problems and teaches students to apply
1230	1230	critical thinking and problem-solving skills to those issues and
1231	1231	problems;
1232	1232	(C) includes the study of English, foreign
1233	1233	languages, social studies, anthropology, and sociology;
1234	1234	(D) is presented through an interdisciplinary
1235	1235	approach that introduces and develops issues, especially issues
1236	1236	related to international concerns, throughout the curriculum; and
1237	1237	(E) offers students learning opportunities
1238	1238	related to international issues through in-depth research and
1239	1239	field-based studies;
1240	1240	(2) to provide students with an awareness of
1241	1241	international career and professional development opportunities
1242	1242	through seminars, workshops, collaboration with postsecondary
1243	1243	students from other countries, summer academic international
1244	1244	studies internships in foreign countries, and similar methods; and
1245	1245	(3) to provide students with social development
1246	1246	activities that enrich the academic curriculum and student life,
1247	1247	including, as determined appropriate by the academy, University
1248	1248	Interscholastic League activities and other extracurricular
1249	1249	activities generally offered by public high schools.
1250	1250	SECTION 36. The following provisions of the Education Code
1251	1251	are repealed:
1252	1252	(1) Subsection (q), Section 28.002;
1253	1253	(2) Subsection (g), Section 28.0212;
1254	1254	(3) Subsections (b-2), (b-3), (b-6), (b-8), and (g),
1255	1255	Section 28.025;
1256	1256	(4) Subsections (a-2) and (a-3), Section 39.025; and
1257	1257	(5) Subsection (b), Section 51.803.
1258	1258	SECTION 37. Section 39.025, Education Code, as amended by
1259	1259	this Act, applies only to students who have entered or will enter
1260	1260	the ninth grade during the 2011-2012 school year or a later school
1261	1261	year.
1262	1262	SECTION 38. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
1263	1263	shall adopt rules in accordance with Subparagraph (iv), Paragraph
1264	1264	(A), Subdivision (2), Section 56.3041, Education Code, as amended
1265	1265	by this Act, as soon as practicable after the date this Act takes
1266	1266	effect. For that purpose, the board may adopt the initial rules in
1267	1267	the manner provided by law for adoption of emergency rules.
1268	1268	SECTION 39. This Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014
1269	1269	school year.
1270	1270	SECTION 40. This Act takes effect immediately if it
1271	1271	receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each
1272	1272	house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.
1273	1273	If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate
1274	1274	effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
1275	1275	* * * * *