Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency

April 17, 2015

COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION

SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for staff to brief committee members on the responses to the Request for Proposals (RFP) that was issued to solicit a test provider for the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency and for the committee to provide guidance to staff regarding selection of a provider.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.111.

PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The State Board of Education (SBOE) adopted 19 TAC Chapter 89, Adaptations for Special Populations, Subchapter C, Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency, to be effective September 1, 1996. Rules in 19 TAC Subchapter C, were last amended to be effective December 11, 2011 and October 10, 2013.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: In November 2011, the committee discussed proposed modifications to the current program. The board asked Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff to produce a Request for Information (RFI) to identify available options for the operation of the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency and report to the board the results of the RFI. At the November 2012 meeting, TEA staff presented the results of the RFI and provided information regarding the potential development of a new Texas High School Equivalency Examination. The committee directed TEA to continue its relationship with the GEDTS and not issue an RFP for a Texas High School Equivalency Examination.

At the September 2013 meeting, the board approved for second reading and final adoption, proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 89, Adaptations for Special Populations, Subchapter C, Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency, to update the rules including the expansion of eligible entities that may apply to become testing centers and the change in the fee structure.

In November 2013, the committee directed TEA to begin drafting a RFP to solicit proposals for a provider for the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency examination.

In January 2014, the committee requested that TEA staff present information on the current practices of the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency.

Beginning January 2014, all tests administered as part of the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency with the exception of tests provided by correctional institutions, transitioned from paper-based tests to computer-based tests.

At the April and July 2014 meetings, TEA staff presented information on the current status of the program.

On January 5, 2015, TEA released a competitive RFP. Responses were due to TEA on February 17, 2015.

FISCAL IMPACT: None.

PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Individuals will have access to an appropriate examination aligned to Texas standards in order to be able to earn a Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency.

PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: None.

LOCALLY MAINTAINED PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: None.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.

ALTERNATIVES: None.

OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: None.

Staff Members Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs

Stacy Avery, Director, Texas Initiatives
Federal and State Education Policy