83R8209 PAM-D
By: Hinojosa S.B. No. 788
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a workforce high school diploma program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 28.0255 to read as follows:
Sec. 28.0255. WORKFORCE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA PROGRAM. (a)
The State Board of Education, in coordination with the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board, shall by rule develop a workforce
high school diploma program under which students who have not
received a high school diploma and who have successfully completed
a workforce certificate course of study as described by Subsection
(b) may receive a high school diploma as provided by this section.
(b) For purposes of this section, a workforce certificate
course of study is a sequential course of study of at least 30
credit hours in a career and technical education program offered by
a public junior college that leads to industry or career
certification.
(c) In adopting rules to develop the program under
Subsection (a), the State Board of Education, in coordination with
the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall approve a
variety of career and technical education programs described by
Subsection (b).
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, a
person is eligible to receive a high school diploma under this
section if the student:
(1) has not satisfactorily completed the curriculum
requirements under Section 28.025;
(2) has satisfactorily completed a workforce
certificate course of study described by Subsection (b); and
(3) complies with any additional requirements
provided by rule by the State Board of Education, in coordination
with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
(e) The school district in which an eligible person resides
shall issue to that person a high school diploma as provided by this
subsection. The State Board of Education, in coordination with the
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall by rule adopt the
form and designate the title of a diploma issued under this section.
The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to authorize school
districts to issue diplomas to eligible students under this
section.
SECTION 2. 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.