Discussion of Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements,
Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.5, Academic Achievement Record (Transcript) and High School Diploma

November 19, 2015

COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION

SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for the committee to discuss the proposed amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.5, Academic Achievement Record (Transcript) and High School Diploma, to update the rule to align with recent legislative changes.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(c)(4) and §28.025, as amended by House Bill (HB) 181, 84th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2015.

TEC, §7.102(c)(4), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to establish curriculum and graduation requirements. TEC, §28.025(e-1), as amended by HB 181, requires the SBOE to adopt rules as necessary to administer the requirement that a school district clearly indicate a distinguished level of achievement, an endorsement, and a performance acknowledgment on the transcript of a student who satisfies the applicable requirements.

BOARD RESPONSE: This item is presented for review and comment.

PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The SBOE adopted 19 TAC §74.5 effective June 18, 2014, to align with legislation passed by the 83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2013.

FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: First reading and filing authorization of the proposed amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.5, Academic Achievement Record (Transcript) and High School Diploma, will be presented at the January 2016 SBOE meeting.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The 83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, passed HB 5, amending the TEC, §28.025, to change the high school graduation programs from the minimum, recommended, and advanced high school programs to one foundation high school program with endorsements to increase flexibility in graduation requirements for students. In April 2014, the SBOE gave final approval for proposed revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter A, to align with the requirements of HB 5, including changes to the required content for the academic achievement records/transcripts and diplomas.

The 84th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, passed HB 181, amending the TEC, §28.025(c-1), (c-5), and (e-1), to remove the requirement that school districts and charter schools identify endorsements and performance acknowledgments on high school diplomas. Districts must still include this information on high school academic achievement records/transcripts.
 
The proposed amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.5, Academic Achievement Record (Transcript) and High School Diploma, shown as Attachment II, would align rules for the academic achievement records with the requirements of HB 181. The proposed amendment includes a change to the section title to remove reference to the high school diploma.

FISCAL IMPACT: The Texas Education Agency does not anticipate any additional costs to persons or entities required to comply with the proposed amendment; however, fiscal implications will be assessed after the committee gives direction regarding the proposed amendment to bring forward for first reading and filing authorization.

PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Benefits include cost savings and added flexibility for school districts and charter schools in determining the content of the high school diploma.

PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: Procedural and reporting implications will be assessed after the committee gives direction regarding the proposed amendment to bring forward for first reading and filing authorization.

LOCALLY MAINTAINED PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: Locally maintained paperwork requirements will be assessed after the committee gives direction regarding the proposed amendment to bring forward for first reading and filing authorization.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: The official public comment period will begin when the proposal is published in the Texas Register.

ALTERNATIVES: None.

OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: Proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter B, Graduation Requirements, are presented for first reading and filing authorization as a separate item in this agenda.

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

Shelly Ramos, Division Director
Curriculum

Attachments:
I. Statutory Citations (PDF, 14KB)
II. Text of Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.5, Academic Achievement Record (Transcript) and High School Diploma (PDF, 18KB)