86R14280 MP-F
By: Deshotel H.B. No. 3941
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to online adult high school diploma programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.0871 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.0871. ONLINE ADULT HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA PROGRAMS.
(a) The agency shall develop a process by which an eligible
provider may apply to the commissioner for authority to operate an
online adult high school diploma program for eligible students to
obtain a high school diploma. An eligible provider must be
accredited by a research-based, nationally recognized, and
universally accessible accreditation system approved by the
commissioner.
(b) Any eligible provider may apply for authorization to
operate an online adult high school diploma program under this
section. As part of the application process, the commissioner shall
require an eligible provider to provide information regarding the
operation of any similar program during the preceding five years.
(c) A student is eligible to participate in an online adult
high school diploma program authorized under this section if the
student:
(1) resides in this state;
(2) is 19 years of age or older;
(3) was unable to satisfy the high school graduation
requirements in place at the time the student would have normally
graduated from high school;
(4) is unable to satisfy the high school graduation
requirements of any other program offered under this title; and
(5) meets any other requirements as determined by the
commissioner.
(d) A student participating in an online adult high school
diploma program authorized under this section must have taken the
appropriate end-of-course assessment instruments specified by
Section 39.023(c) before entering the program and must take each
appropriate end-of-course assessment instrument administered
during the period in which the student is enrolled in the program.
(e) A student enrolled in an online adult high school
diploma program authorized under this section may not participate
in a competition or other activity sanctioned or conducted by the
University Interscholastic League.
(f) A student who enrolls in an online adult high school
diploma program authorized under this section is entitled to the
benefits of the Foundation School Program under Section 42.003 in
the same manner as any other student who has not received a high
school diploma.
(g) For purposes of funding under Chapters 41, 42, and 46, a
student attending an online adult high school diploma program
authorized under this section may be counted in attendance only for
the actual number of hours each school day the student attends the
program, in accordance with Section 25.081.
(h) The commissioner may revoke a provider's authorization
to operate an online adult high school diploma program under this
section after consideration of relevant factors, including student
performance on assessment instruments required under Chapter 39,
the percentage of students who complete the program and earn a high
school diploma, and other criteria adopted by the commissioner. A
decision by the commissioner under this subsection is final and may
not be appealed.
(i) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this
section.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the commissioner of education shall adopt rules
necessary to implement Section 29.0871, Education Code, as added by
this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2019.