87R2105 MM-F
By: Guillen H.B. No. 1303
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an academic distinction designation for high student
achievement under the public school accountability system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 39.202, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 39.202. ACADEMIC DISTINCTION DESIGNATIONS
[DESIGNATION] FOR DISTRICTS AND CAMPUSES. (a) The commissioner by
rule shall establish an academic distinction designation for
districts and campuses for outstanding performance in attainment of
postsecondary readiness. The commissioner shall adopt criteria for
the designation under this subsection [section], 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), 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),
aggregated across grade levels by subject area, for students who
did not perform satisfactorily as described by Paragraph (A);
(2) percentages of:
(A) students who earned a nationally or
internationally recognized business or industry certification or
license;
(B) students who completed a coherent sequence of
career and technical courses;
(C) students who completed a dual credit course
or an articulated postsecondary course provided for local credit;
(D) students who achieved applicable College
Readiness Benchmarks or the equivalent on the Preliminary
Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT), the Scholastic Assessment Test
(SAT), the American College Test (ACT), or the ACT-Plan assessment
program; and
(E) students who received a score on either an
advanced placement test or an international baccalaureate
examination to be awarded college credit; and
(3) other factors for determining sufficient student
attainment of postsecondary readiness.
(b) In addition to the distinction designation described by
Subsection (a), the commissioner by rule shall establish an
academic distinction designation for districts and campuses for
outstanding performance in attainment of high student achievement.
The commissioner shall adopt criteria for the designation under
this subsection, including percentages of students who:
(1) have earned a diploma after not more than three and
one-half years of high school attendance;
(2) in grade seven or eight, complete a pre-advanced
placement course or pre-international baccalaureate course;
(3) have been promoted to higher grade levels than the
grade levels to which the students would ordinarily be assigned;
(4) are identified as gifted and talented and have
been promoted to higher grade levels than the grade levels to which
the students would ordinarily be assigned;
(5) have received credit by examination;
(6) are identified as gifted and talented and have
received credit by examination; and
(7) complete not less than 10 project-based learning
projects during a school year.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
school year.
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, 2021.