83R10172 PAM-F
	By: West	S.B. No. 1618

	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) Section 39.023, Education Code, is amended
	by amending Subsections (a), (a-1), (c), (c-2), and (c-3) and
	adding Subsections (a-3), (a-4), (a-5), (a-6), (a-7), (a-8), and
	(c-7) to read as follows:
	(a)  The agency shall adopt or develop appropriate
	criterion-referenced assessment instruments designed to assess
	essential knowledge and skills in reading, writing, mathematics,
	[social studies,] and science.  Except as provided by Subsection
	(a-2), all students, other than students assessed under Subsection
	(b) or (l) or exempted under Section 39.027, shall be assessed in:
	(1)  mathematics[, annually] in grades three and five
	[through seven] without the aid of technology and in grade eight
	with the aid of technology on any assessment instrument that
	includes algebra;
	(2)  reading[, annually] in grades three, five, and
	[through] eight;
	(3)  writing, including spelling and grammar, in grades
	four and seven;
	(4)  [social studies, in grade eight;
	[(5)]  science, in grade [grades five and] eight; and
	(5) [(6)]  any other subject and grade required by
	federal law.
	(a-1)  The agency shall develop assessment instruments
	required under Subsections [Subsection] (a), (a-3), (a-4), (a-5),
	and (a-6) in a manner that allows, to the extent practicable:
	(1)  the score a student receives to provide reliable
	information relating to a student's satisfactory performance for
	each performance standard under Section 39.0241; and
	(2)  an appropriate range of performances to serve as a
	valid indication of growth in student achievement.
	(a-3)  A student shall be assessed in grade four in a subject
	for which an assessment instrument is administered under Subsection
	(a) in grade three if, on the final assessment instrument in that
	subject administered under Subsection (a) to the student in grade
	three during the preceding school year, the student did not achieve
	a scale score equal to or greater than the scale score that
	indicates satisfactory performance on that assessment instrument,
	as determined by the commissioner under Section 39.0241(a).
	(a-4)  A student shall be assessed in grade five in a subject
	for which an assessment instrument is administered under Subsection
	(a) in grade four if, on the final assessment instrument in that
	subject administered under Subsection (a) to the student in grade
	four during the preceding school year, the student did not achieve a
	scale score equal to or greater than the scale score that indicates
	satisfactory performance on that assessment instrument, as
	determined by the commissioner under Section 39.0241(a).
	(a-5)  A student shall be assessed in grade six in a subject
	for which an assessment instrument is administered under Subsection
	(a) in grade five if, on the final assessment instrument in that
	subject administered under Subsection (a) to the student in grade
	five during the preceding school year, the student did not achieve a
	scale score equal to or greater than the scale score that indicates
	satisfactory performance on that assessment instrument, as
	determined by the commissioner under Section 39.0241(a).
	(a-6)  A student shall be assessed in grade eight in a
	subject for which an assessment instrument is administered under
	Subsection (a) in grade seven if, on the final assessment
	instrument in that subject administered under Subsection (a) to the
	student in grade seven during the preceding school year, the
	student did not achieve a scale score equal to or greater than the
	scale score that indicates satisfactory performance on that
	assessment instrument, as determined by the commissioner under
	Section 39.0241(a).
	(a-7)  The results of an assessment instrument administered
	under Subsection (a-3), (a-4), (a-5), or (a-6) may not be included
	as a student achievement indicator under Section 39.053 or any
	other provision of this code.
	(a-8)  If there is a conflict between this section and
	federal law as a result of forgoing under this section certain
	administration of assessment instruments to students who have
	recently performed successfully on assessment instruments
	assessing the same subject, the commissioner shall seek a waiver
	from the application of conflicting federal law.
	(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.
	(c-7)  An end-of-course assessment instrument adopted under
	Subsection (c) must, consistent with Section 39.027, be capable of
	administration with linguistic accommodations. An optional
	end-of-course assessment instrument adopted under Subsection (c-2)
	also must be capable of administration with linguistic
	accommodations.
	(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, excluding
	the results of assessment instruments administered under Section
	39.023(a-3), (a-4), (a-5), (a-6), or (c-2), 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
	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. 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 an advanced English [any other] 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. In adopting rules under this
	section, the commissioner, in consultation with the comptroller,
	shall determine the criteria for each designated 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 2014-2015
	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.  (a)  Effective September 1, 2013, Sections
	39.025(a-2) and (a-3), Education Code, are repealed.
	(b)  Effective September 1, 2014, the following provisions
	of the Education Code are repealed:
	(1)  Section 28.002(q);
	(2)  Sections 28.025(b-6), (b-8), and (g); and
	(3)  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.