Discussion of Texas High School Graduation Programs
January 22, 2009
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for the board to discuss potential changes to the Texas high school graduation programs.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §§7.102(c)(4), 28.002, and 28.025.
BOARD RESPONSE: This item is presented for review and comment.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The State Board of Education (SBOE) adopted 19 TAC §74.62, Minimum High School Program, to be effective September 1, 2005. The SBOE approved amendments to 19 TAC §74.63, Recommended High School Program, and §74.64, Distinguished Achievement High School Program--Advanced High School Program, to be effective January 9, 2007. The SBOE approved amendments to 19 TAC §74.61, High School Graduation Requirements, to be effective December 25, 2007. A discussion item regarding the graduation programs was presented to the Committee of the Full Board during the November 2008 meeting.
FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: None.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter F, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2007-2008, adopted by the SBOE in November 2006, included changes to reflect the four years of mathematics and science graduation requirements of House Bill 1, 79th Texas Legislature, Third Called Session, 2006. These changes only applied to the recommended high school and distinguished achievement programs found in 19 TAC §74.63 and 19 TAC §74.64. The adopted amendment to 19 TAC §74.61 established in rule a grandfather clause for students who took Integrated Physics and Chemistry in Grade 8 during the 2006-2007 school year that would allow IPC to count as one of the four years of science for students who took IPC in 2006-2007 prior to entering Grade 9 in 2007-2008. The board discussed the need to increase flexibility for students who graduate under the recommended or distinguished achievement program and who have interest in pursuing fine arts, career and technical education, or other elective programs.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: None.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Scott
Commissioner of Education
Staff Member Responsible:
Anita Givens, Acting Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs
Attachment:
Statutory Citations