Bill Text: TX HB5 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Enrolled

Bill Title: Relating to public school accountability, including assessment, and curriculum requirements; providing a criminal penalty.

Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 51-22)

Status: (Passed) 2013-06-10 - See remarks for effective date [HB5 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB5-Enrolled.html
 
 
  H.B. No. 5
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to public school accountability, including assessment,
  and curriculum requirements; providing a criminal penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  (a) Section 7.010(c), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  The electronic student records system must permit an
  authorized state or district official or an authorized
  representative of an institution of higher education to
  electronically transfer to and from an educational institution in
  which the student is enrolled and retrieve student transcripts,
  including information concerning a student's:
               (1)  course or grade completion;
               (2)  teachers of record;
               (3)  assessment instrument results;
               (4)  receipt of special education services, including
  placement in a special education program and the individualized
  education program developed; and
               (5)  personal graduation plan as described by Section
  28.0212 or 28.02121, as applicable.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 2.  (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 distinguished level of
  achievement under 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 3.  Subchapter C, Chapter 7, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 7.064 to read as follows:
         Sec. 7.064.  CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CONSORTIUM.  (a) The
  commissioner shall investigate available options for the state to
  join a consortium of states for the purpose of developing sequences
  of academically rigorous career and technology courses in career
  areas that are high-demand, high-wage career areas in this state.
         (b)  The curricula for the courses must include the
  appropriate essential knowledge and skills adopted under
  Subchapter A, Chapter 28.
         (c)  If the commissioner determines that joining a
  consortium of states for this purpose would be beneficial for the
  educational and career success of students in the state, the
  commissioner may join the consortium on behalf of the state.
         SECTION 4.  (a) Section 12.111(b), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A charter holder of an open-enrollment charter school
  shall consider including in the school's charter a requirement that
  the school develop and administer personal graduation plans under
  Sections [Section] 28.0212 and 28.02121.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 5.  (a)  Section 25.083, Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 25.083.  SCHOOL DAY INTERRUPTIONS. (a)  The board of
  trustees of each school district shall adopt and strictly enforce a
  policy limiting interruptions of classes during the school day for
  nonacademic activities such as announcements and sales promotions.
  At a minimum, the policy must limit announcements other than
  emergency announcements to once during the school day.
         (b)  The board of trustees of each school district shall
  adopt and strictly enforce a policy limiting the removal of
  students from class for remedial tutoring or test preparation. A
  district may not remove a student from a regularly scheduled class
  for remedial tutoring or test preparation if, as a result of the
  removal, the student would miss more than 10 percent of the school
  days on which the class is offered, unless the student's parent or
  another person standing in parental relation to the student
  provides to the district written consent for removal from class for
  such purpose.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 6.  (a)  The heading to Section 25.092, Education
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 25.092.  MINIMUM ATTENDANCE FOR CLASS CREDIT OR FINAL
  GRADE.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 7.  (a)  Sections 25.092(a), (a-1), (b), and (d),
  Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by this section, a student in any
  grade level from kindergarten through grade 12 may not be given
  credit or a final grade for a class unless the student is in
  attendance for at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered.
         (a-1)  A student who is in attendance for at least 75 percent
  but less than 90 percent of the days a class is offered may be given
  credit or a final grade for the class if the student completes a
  plan approved by the school's principal that provides for the
  student to meet the instructional requirements of the class.  A
  student under the jurisdiction of a court in a criminal or juvenile
  justice proceeding may not receive credit or a final grade under
  this subsection without the consent of the judge presiding over the
  student's case.
         (b)  The board of trustees of each school district shall
  appoint one or more attendance committees to hear petitions for
  class credit or a final grade by students who are in attendance
  fewer than the number of days required under Subsection (a) and have
  not earned class credit or a final grade under Subsection (a-1).  
  Classroom teachers shall comprise a majority of the membership of
  the committee.  A committee may give class credit or a final grade
  to a student because of extenuating circumstances.  Each board of
  trustees shall establish guidelines to determine what constitutes
  extenuating circumstances and shall adopt policies establishing
  alternative ways for students to make up work or regain credit or a
  final grade lost because of absences.  The alternative ways must
  include at least one option that does not require a student to pay a
  fee authorized under Section 11.158(a)(15).  A certified public
  school employee may not be assigned additional instructional duties
  as a result of this section outside of the regular workday unless
  the employee is compensated for the duties at a reasonable rate of
  pay.
         (d)  If a student is denied credit or a final grade for a
  class by an attendance committee, the student may appeal the
  decision to the board of trustees. The decision of the board may be
  appealed by trial de novo to the district court of the county in
  which the school district's central administrative office is
  located.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 8.  (a) Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsections (g-1), (g-2), and
  (o) to read as follows:
         (c)  The State Board of Education, with the direct
  participation of educators, parents, business and industry
  representatives, and employers shall by rule identify the essential
  knowledge and skills of each subject of the required curriculum
  that all students should be able to demonstrate and that will be
  used in evaluating instructional materials under Chapter 31 and
  addressed on the assessment instruments required under Subchapter
  B, Chapter 39.  As a condition of accreditation, the board shall
  require each district to provide instruction in the essential
  knowledge and skills at appropriate grade levels and to make
  available to each high school student in the district an Algebra II
  course.
         (g-1)  A district may also offer a course or other activity,
  including an apprenticeship or training hours needed to obtain an
  industry-recognized credential or certificate, that is approved by
  the board of trustees for 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, labor, and community leaders to
  develop and provide the courses; and
               (2)  the course or other activity allows students to
  enter:
                     (A)  a career or technology training program in
  the district's region of the state;
                     (B)  an institution of higher education without
  remediation;
                     (C)  an apprenticeship training program; or
                     (D)  an internship required as part of
  accreditation toward an industry-recognized credential or
  certificate for course credit.
         (g-2)  Each school district shall annually report to the
  agency the names of the courses, programs, institutions of higher
  education, and internships in which the district's students have
  enrolled under Subsection (g-1). The agency shall make available
  information provided under this subsection to other districts.
         (o)  In approving career and technology courses, the State
  Board of Education must determine that at least 50 percent of the
  approved courses are cost-effective for a school district to
  implement.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 9.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 28.00222 to read as follows:
         Sec. 28.00222.  INCREASE IN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND
  CAREER-RELATED COURSES. (a) Not later than September 1, 2014, the
  State Board of Education shall ensure that at least six advanced
  career and technology education or technology applications
  courses, including courses in personal financial literacy
  consistent with Section 28.0021 and in statistics, are approved to
  satisfy a fourth credit in mathematics.
         (b)  Not later than January 1, 2015, the commissioner shall
  review and report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the
  speaker of the house of representatives, and the presiding officer
  of each standing committee of the legislature with primary
  responsibility over public primary and secondary education
  regarding the progress of increasing the number of courses approved
  for the career and technology education or technology applications
  curriculum. The commissioner shall include in the report a
  detailed description of any new courses, including instructional
  materials and required equipment, if any.
         (c)  This section expires September 1, 2015.
         SECTION 10.  (a) Section 28.014, Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 28.014.  COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSES. (a) Each school
  district shall partner with at least one institution of higher
  education to develop and provide [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 whose
  performance on:
                     (A)  [who do not meet college readiness standards
  on] an end-of-course assessment instrument required under Section
  39.023(c) does not meet college readiness standards; or
                     (B)  coursework, a college entrance examination,
  or an assessment instrument designated under Section 51.3062(c)
  indicates that the student is not ready to perform entry-level
  college coursework; and
               (2)  to prepare students for success in entry-level
  college courses.
         (b)  A course developed under this section must be provided:
               (1)  on the campus of the high school offering the
  course; or
               (2)  through distance learning or as an online course
  provided through an institution of higher education with which the
  school district partners as provided by Subsection (a).
         (c)  Appropriate faculty of each high school offering
  courses under this section and appropriate faculty of each
  institution of higher education with which the school district
  partners shall meet regularly as necessary to ensure that each
  course is aligned with college readiness expectations. The
  commissioner of education, in coordination with the commissioner of
  higher education, may adopt rules to administer this subsection.
         (d)  Each school district shall provide a notice to each
  district student to whom Subsection (a) applies and the student's
  parent or guardian regarding the benefits of enrolling in a course
  under this section.
         (e)  A student who successfully completes an English
  language arts [a] course developed under this section may use the
  credit earned in the course toward satisfying the advanced English
  language arts [applicable mathematics or science] curriculum
  requirement for the foundation [recommended or advanced] high
  school program under Section 28.025(b-1)(1) [28.025]. A student
  who successfully completes a mathematics course developed under
  this section may use the credit earned in the course toward
  satisfying an advanced mathematics curriculum requirement under
  Section 28.025 after completion of the mathematics curriculum
  requirements for the foundation high school program under Section
  28.025(b-1)(2).
         (f)  A course provided under this section may be offered for
  dual credit at the discretion of the institution of higher
  education with which a school district partners under this section.
         (g)  Each school district, in consultation with each
  institution of higher education with which the district partners,
  shall develop or purchase [(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.     Each school
  district shall adopt a policy that requires a student's performance
  on the end-of-course assessment instrument to 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.
         [(d)     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 Subsection (c) to be used for purposes of Section
  51.3062.     The questions must be developed in a manner consistent
  with any college readiness standards adopted under Sections 39.233
  and 51.3062.
         [(e)  The State Board of Education shall adopt]
  instructional materials for a course developed under this section
  consistent [in accordance] with Chapter 31.  The instructional
  materials must include technology resources that enhance the
  effectiveness of the course and draw on established best practices.
         (h) [(f)]  To the extent applicable, a district [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. A  [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 shall be made available to students 
  [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 11.  Section 28.0211, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (m) and adding Subsection (m-1) to read as
  follows:
         (m)  The commissioner shall certify, not later than July 1 of
  each school year or as soon as practicable thereafter, whether
  sufficient funds have been appropriated statewide for the purposes
  of this section and Section 28.0217.  A determination by the
  commissioner is final and may not be appealed.  For purposes of
  certification, the commissioner shall consider:
               (1)  the average cost per student per assessment
  instrument administration;
               (2)  the number of students that require accelerated
  instruction because the student failed to perform satisfactorily on
  an assessment instrument;
               (3)  whether sufficient funds have been appropriated to
  provide support to students in grades three through 12 identified
  as being at risk of dropping out of school, as defined in Section
  29.081(d); and
               (4)  whether sufficient funds have been appropriated to
  provide instructional materials that are aligned with the
  assessment instruments under Sections 39.023(a) and (c).
         (m-1)  For purposes of certification under Subsection (m),
  the commissioner may not consider Foundation School Program funds
  except for compensatory education funds under Section
  42.152.  This section may be implemented only if the commissioner
  certifies that sufficient funds have been appropriated during a
  school year for administering the accelerated instruction programs
  specified under this section and Section 28.0217, including teacher
  training for that purpose.
         SECTION 12.  (a) The heading to Section 28.0212, Education
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 28.0212.  JUNIOR HIGH OR MIDDLE SCHOOL PERSONAL
  GRADUATION PLAN.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 13.  (a) Sections 28.0212(a) and (b), Education
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A principal of a junior high or middle school shall
  designate a school [guidance] counselor, teacher, or other
  appropriate individual to develop and administer a personal
  graduation plan for each student enrolled in the [a] junior high
  or[,] middle[, or high] school who:
               (1)  does not perform satisfactorily on an assessment
  instrument administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39; or
               (2)  is not likely to receive a high school diploma
  before the fifth school year following the student's enrollment in
  grade level nine, as determined by the district.
         (b)  A personal graduation plan under this section must:
               (1)  identify educational goals for the student;
               (2)  include diagnostic information, appropriate
  monitoring and intervention, and other evaluation strategies;
               (3)  include an intensive instruction program
  described by Section 28.0213;
               (4)  address participation of the student's parent or
  guardian, including consideration of the parent's or guardian's
  educational expectations for the student; and
               (5)  provide innovative methods to promote the
  student's advancement, including flexible scheduling, alternative
  learning environments, on-line instruction, and other
  interventions that are proven to accelerate the learning process
  and have been scientifically validated to improve learning and
  cognitive ability.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 14.  (a) Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code,
  is amended by adding Section 28.02121 to read as follows:
         Sec. 28.02121.  HIGH SCHOOL PERSONAL GRADUATION PLAN. (a)
  The agency, in consultation with the Texas Workforce Commission and
  the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall prepare and
  make available to each school district in English and Spanish
  information that explains the advantages of the distinguished level
  of achievement described by Section 28.025(b-15) and each
  endorsement described by Section 28.025(c-1).  The information must
  contain an explanation:
               (1)  concerning the benefits of choosing a high school
  personal graduation plan that includes the distinguished level of
  achievement under the foundation high school program and includes
  one or more endorsements to enable the student to achieve a class
  rank in the top 10 percent for students at the campus; and
               (2)  that encourages parents, to the greatest extent
  practicable, to have the student choose a high school personal
  graduation plan described by Subdivision (1).
         (b)  A school district shall publish the information
  provided to the district under Subsection (a) on the Internet
  website of the district and ensure that the information is
  available to students in grades nine and above and the parents or
  legal guardians of those students in the language in which the
  parents or legal guardians are most proficient. A district is
  required to provide information under this subsection in the
  language in which the parents or legal guardians are most
  proficient only if at least 20 students in a grade level primarily
  speak that language.
         (c)  A principal of a high school shall designate a school
  counselor or school administrator to review personal graduation
  plan options with each student entering grade nine together with
  that student's parent or guardian. The personal graduation plan
  options reviewed must include the distinguished level of
  achievement described by Section 28.025(b-15) and the endorsements
  described by Section 28.025(c-1). Before the conclusion of the
  school year, the student and the student's parent or guardian must
  confirm and sign a personal graduation plan for the student.
         (d)  A personal graduation plan under Subsection (c) must
  identify a course of study that:
               (1)  promotes:
                     (A)  college and workforce readiness; and
                     (B)  career placement and advancement; and
               (2)  facilitates the student's transition from
  secondary to postsecondary education.
         (e)  A school district may not prevent a student and the
  student's parent or guardian from confirming a personal graduation
  plan that includes pursuit of a distinguished level of achievement
  or an endorsement.
         (f)  A student may amend the student's personal graduation
  plan after the initial confirmation of the plan under this section.  
  If a student amends the student's personal graduation plan, the
  school shall send written notice to the student's parents regarding
  the change.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 15.  Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 28.0217 to read as follows:
         Sec. 28.0217.  ACCELERATED INSTRUCTION FOR HIGH SCHOOL
  STUDENTS.  Each time a student fails to perform satisfactorily on an
  assessment instrument administered under Section 39.023(c), the
  school district in which the student attends school shall provide
  to the student accelerated instruction in the applicable subject
  area, using funds appropriated for accelerated instruction under
  Section 28.0211.  Accelerated instruction may require
  participation of the student before or after normal school hours
  and may include participation at times of the year outside normal
  school operations.
         SECTION 16.  (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), (b-13), (b-14), (b-15), (b-16), (b-17), (b-18), (b-19),
  (c-1), (c-2), (c-3), (c-4), (c-5), (e-1), (e-2), (e-3), (h), (h-1),
  and (h-2) 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 this section [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, on
  entering ninth grade, indicates in writing an endorsement under
  Subsection (c-1) that the student intends to earn. A district shall
  permit a student to choose, at any time, to earn an endorsement
  other than the endorsement the student previously indicated. A
  student may graduate under the foundation high school program
  without earning an endorsement if, after the student's sophomore
  year:
               (1)  the student and the student's parent or person
  standing in parental relation to the student are advised by a school
  counselor of the specific benefits of graduating from high school
  with one or more endorsements; and
               (2)  the student's parent or person standing in
  parental relation to the student files with a school counselor
  written permission, on a form adopted by the agency, allowing the
  student to graduate under the foundation high school program
  without earning an endorsement [enrolls in the courses necessary to
  complete the curriculum requirements identified by the State Board
  of Education under Subsection (a) for the 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)  three credits in science under Section
  28.002(a)(1)(C), including one credit in biology, one credit in any
  advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2), and one
  credit in integrated physics and chemistry or in an additional
  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 United
  States history, at least one-half credit in government and at least
  one-half credit in economics, and one credit in world geography or
  world history [to meet the social studies requirement];
               (5)  except as provided under Subsections (b-12),
  (b-13), and (b-14) [(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)  five [(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
  any 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
  credit without board approval as provided by Section 28.002(g-1)
  [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, provided that each approved course prepares students
  to enter the workforce successfully or postsecondary education
  without remediation.
         (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 or for an endorsement under Subsection (c-1) [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. Notwithstanding Subsection (b-15) or (c) of this
  section, Section 39.025, or any other provision of this code and
  notwithstanding any school district policy, a student who has
  completed the core curriculum of an institution of higher education
  under Section 61.822, as certified by the institution in accordance
  with commissioner rule, is considered to have earned a
  distinguished level of achievement under the foundation high school
  program and is entitled to receive a high school diploma from the
  appropriate high school as that high school is determined in
  accordance with commissioner rule. A student who is considered to
  have earned a distinguished level of achievement under the
  foundation high school program under this subsection may apply for
  admission to an institution of higher education for the first
  semester or other academic term after the semester or other
  academic term in which the student completes the core curriculum.
         (b-9)  A school district, with the approval of the
  commissioner, may allow [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 community-based fine arts program not provided
  by the school district in which the student is enrolled.  The fine
  arts program must provide instruction in the essential knowledge
  and skills identified for fine arts by the State Board of Education
  under Section 28.002(c). 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, one credit in a course that is offered
  for credit as provided by Section 28.002(g-1), 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 computer programming languages.
         (b-13)  In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State
  Board of Education shall allow a student to substitute credit in
  another appropriate course for the second credit in the same
  language in a language other than English otherwise required by
  Subsection (b-1)(5) if the student, in completing the first credit
  required under Subsection (b-1)(5), demonstrates that the student
  is unlikely to be able to complete the second credit. The board
  rules must establish:
               (1)  the standards and, as applicable, the appropriate
  school personnel for making a determination under this subsection;
  and
               (2)  appropriate substitute courses for purposes of
  this subsection.
         (b-14)  In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State
  Board of Education shall allow a student who, due to disability, is
  unable to complete two courses in the same language in a language
  other than English, as provided under Subsection (b-1)(5), to
  substitute for those credits two credits in English language arts,
  mathematics, science, or social studies or two credits in career
  and technology education, technology applications, or other
  academic electives.  A credit allowed to be substituted under this
  subsection may not also be used by the student to satisfy a
  graduation credit requirement other than credit for completion of a
  language other than English.  The rules must provide that the
  determination regarding a student's ability to participate in
  language-other-than-English courses 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; or
               (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.
         (b-15)  A student may earn a distinguished level of
  achievement under the foundation high school program by
  successfully completing:
               (1)  four credits in mathematics, which must include
  Algebra II and the courses described by Subsection (b-1)(2);
               (2)  four credits in science, which must include the
  courses described by Subsection (b-1)(3);
               (3)  the remaining curriculum requirements under
  Subsection (b-1); and
               (4)  the curriculum requirements for at least one
  endorsement under Subsection (c-1).
         (b-16)  A student may satisfy an elective credit required
  under Subsection (b-1)(6) with a credit earned to satisfy the
  additional curriculum requirements for the distinguished level of
  achievement under the foundation high school program or an
  endorsement under Subsection (c-1).  This subsection may apply to
  more than one elective credit.
         (b-17)  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to
  ensure that a student may comply with the curriculum requirements
  under Subsection (b-1)(6) by successfully completing an advanced
  career and technical course, including a course that may lead to an
  industry-recognized credential or certificate or an associate
  degree.
         (b-18)  In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State
  Board of Education shall allow a student to comply with the
  curriculum requirements under Subsection (b-1) by successfully
  completing a dual credit course.
         (b-19)  In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State
  Board of Education shall adopt criteria to allow a student to comply
  with curriculum requirements for the world geography or world
  history credit under Subsection (b-1)(4) by successfully
  completing a combined world history and world geography course
  developed by the State Board of Education.
         (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. The State Board of Education by rule shall
  provide students with multiple options for earning each
  endorsement, including, to the greatest extent possible, coherent
  sequences of courses. The State Board of Education by rule must
  permit a student to enroll in courses under more than one
  endorsement curriculum before the student's junior year.  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, including computer
  science, 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, agricultural science, and heating, ventilation, and
  air conditioning;
               (3)  public services, which includes courses directly
  related to health sciences and occupations, education and training,
  law enforcement, and culinary arts and hospitality;
               (4)  arts and humanities, which includes courses
  directly related to political science, world languages, cultural
  studies, English literature, history, and fine arts; and
               (5)  multidisciplinary studies, which allows a student
  to:
                     (A)  select courses from the curriculum of each
  endorsement area described by Subdivisions (1) through (4); and
                     (B)  earn credits in a variety of advanced courses
  from multiple content areas sufficient to complete the
  distinguished level of achievement under the foundation high school
  program.
         (c-2)  In adopting rules under Subsection (c-1), the State
  Board of Education shall:
               (1)  require a student in order to earn any endorsement
  to successfully complete:
                     (A)  four credits in mathematics, which must
  include:
                           (i)  the courses described by Subsection
  (b-1)(2); and
                           (ii)  an additional advanced mathematics
  course authorized under Subsection (b-2) or an advanced career and
  technology course designated by the State Board of Education;
                     (B)  four credits in science, which must include:
                           (i)  the courses described by Subsection
  (b-1)(3); and
                           (ii)  an additional advanced science course
  authorized under Subsection (b-2) or an advanced career and
  technology course designated by the State Board of Education; and
                     (C)  two elective credits in addition to the
  elective credits required under Subsection (b-1)(6); and
               (2)  develop additional curriculum requirements for
  each endorsement with the direct participation of educators and
  business, labor, and industry representatives, and shall require
  each school district to report to the agency the categories of
  endorsements under Subsection (c-1) for which the district offers
  all courses for curriculum requirements, as determined by board
  rule.
         (c-3)  In adopting rules under Subsection (c-1), the State
  Board of Education shall adopt criteria to allow a student
  participating in the arts and humanities endorsement under
  Subsection (c-1)(4), with the written permission of the student's
  parent or a person standing in parental relation to the student, to
  comply with the curriculum requirements for science required under
  Subsection (c-2)(1)(B) by substituting for an advanced course
  requirement a course related to that endorsement.
         (c-4)  Each school district must make available to high
  school students courses that allow a student to complete the
  curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement under
  Subsection (c-1). A school district that offers only one
  endorsement curriculum must offer the multidisciplinary studies
  endorsement curriculum.
         (c-5)  A student may earn a 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)  in bilingualism and biliteracy;
                     (C)  on a college advanced placement test or
  international baccalaureate examination; or
                     (D)  on the PSAT, the ACT-Plan, the SAT, or the
  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 a
  distinguished level of achievement under the foundation high school
  program as described by Subsection (b-15), an endorsement described
  by Subsection (c-1), and a performance acknowledgment described by
  Subsection (c-5) 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.
         (e-2)  At the end of each school year, each school district
  shall report through the Public Education Information Management
  System (PEIMS) the number of district students who, during that
  school year, were:
               (1)  enrolled in the foundation high school program;
               (2)  pursuing the distinguished level of achievement
  under the foundation high school program as provided by Subsection
  (b-15); and
               (3)  enrolled in a program to earn an endorsement
  described by Subsection (c-1).
         (e-3)  Information reported under Subsection (e-2) must be
  disaggregated by all student groups served by the district,
  including categories of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status,
  sex, and populations served by special programs, including students
  in special education programs under Subchapter A, Chapter 29.
         (h)  The commissioner by rule shall adopt a transition plan
  to implement and administer the amendments made by H.B. No. 5, 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 H.B. No. 5, 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 H.B. No. 5, 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 H.B. No. 5, 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.
         (h-2)  This subsection applies only to a student
  participating in the minimum, recommended, or advanced high school
  program who is completing the fourth year of high school during the
  2013-2014 school year. The commissioner by rule shall permit a
  student who does not satisfy the curriculum requirements of the
  high school program in which the student is participating to
  graduate if the student satisfies the curriculum requirements
  established for the foundation high school program under this
  section as amended by H.B. No. 5, 83rd Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2013, and any other requirement required for graduation.
  This subsection expires September 1, 2015.
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c) of this section,
  this section applies beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.
         (c)  Section 28.025(h-2), Education Code, as added by this
  section, applies during the 2013-2014 school year.
         SECTION 17.  (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 earned a distinguished level of
  achievement under [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.  The student may apply for admission to an
  institution of higher education for the first semester or other
  academic term after the semester or other academic term in which the
  student earns a diploma through the pilot program.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 18.  (a) Section 28.026, Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 28.026.  NOTICE OF REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTOMATIC COLLEGE
  ADMISSION AND FINANCIAL AID. (a) The board of trustees of a school
  district and the governing body of each open-enrollment charter
  school that provides a high school shall require each high school in
  the district or provided by the charter school, as applicable, to
  post appropriate signs in each counselor's office, in each
  principal's office, and in each administrative building indicating
  the substance of Section 51.803 regarding automatic college
  admission and stating the curriculum requirements for financial aid
  authorized under Title 3. To assist in the dissemination of that
  [this] information, the [school] district or charter school shall:
               (1)  require that each high school counselor and class
  advisor be provided a detailed explanation of the substance of
  Section 51.803 and the curriculum requirements for financial aid
  authorized under Title 3;
               (2)  provide each district or school student, at the
  time the student first registers for one or more classes required
  for high school graduation, with a written notification, including
  a detailed explanation in plain language, of the substance of
  Section 51.803, the curriculum requirements for financial aid
  authorized under Title 3, and the benefits of completing the
  requirements for that automatic admission and financial aid;
               (3)  require that each high school counselor and senior
  class advisor explain to eligible students the substance of Section
  51.803; and
               (4)  not later than the 14th day after the last day of
  classes for the fall semester or an equivalent date in the case of a
  school operated on a year-round system under Section 25.084,
  provide each [eligible] senior student eligible under Section
  51.803 and each student enrolled in the junior year of high school
  who has a grade point average in the top 10 percent of the student's
  high school class, and the student's parent or guardian, with a
  written notification of the student's eligibility with a detailed
  explanation in plain language of the substance of Section 51.803.
         (b)  The commissioner shall adopt forms, including specific
  language, to use in providing notice under Subsections (a)(2) and
  (4).  In providing notice under Subsection (a)(2) or (4), a school
  district or open-enrollment charter school shall use the
  appropriate form adopted by the commissioner.  The notice to a
  student and the student's parent or guardian under Subsections
  (a)(2) and (4) [Subsection (a)(4)] must be on a single form that
  contains [may contain one or more] signature lines to indicate
  receipt of notice by the student and [or] the student's parent or
  guardian. The notice under Subsection (a)(2) must be signed by the
  student's counselor in addition to being signed by the student and
  the student's parent or guardian.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 19.  (a)  Sections 28.027(a) and (b), Education
  Code, are 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 or
  technology applications curriculum.
         (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 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 20.  Section 29.081, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (b-1), (b-2), and (b-3) and amending Subsection
  (d) to read as follows:
         (b-1)  Each school district shall offer before the next
  scheduled administration of the assessment instrument, without
  cost to the student, additional accelerated instruction to each
  student in any subject in which the student failed to perform
  satisfactorily on an end-of-course assessment instrument required
  for graduation.
         (b-2)  A district that is required to provide accelerated
  instruction under Subsection (b-1) shall separately budget
  sufficient funds, including funds under Section 42.152, for that
  purpose. A district may not budget funds received under Section
  42.152 for any other purpose until the district adopts a budget to
  support additional accelerated instruction under Subsection (b-1).
         (b-3)  A district shall evaluate the effectiveness of
  accelerated instruction programs under Subsection (b-1) and
  annually hold a public hearing to consider the results.
         (d)  For purposes of this section, "student at risk of
  dropping out of school" includes each student who is under 26 [21]
  years of age and who:
               (1)  was not advanced from one grade level to the next
  for one or more school years;
               (2)  if the student is in grade 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12,
  did not maintain an average equivalent to 70 on a scale of 100 in two
  or more subjects in the foundation curriculum during a semester in
  the preceding or current school year or is not maintaining such an
  average in two or more subjects in the foundation curriculum in the
  current semester;
               (3)  did not perform satisfactorily on an assessment
  instrument administered to the student under Subchapter B, Chapter
  39, and who has not in the previous or current school year
  subsequently performed on that instrument or another appropriate
  instrument at a level equal to at least 110 percent of the level of
  satisfactory performance on that instrument;
               (4)  if the student is in prekindergarten,
  kindergarten, or grade 1, 2, or 3, did not perform satisfactorily on
  a readiness test or assessment instrument administered during the
  current school year;
               (5)  is pregnant or is a parent;
               (6)  has been placed in an alternative education
  program in accordance with Section 37.006 during the preceding or
  current school year;
               (7)  has been expelled in accordance with Section
  37.007 during the preceding or current school year;
               (8)  is currently on parole, probation, deferred
  prosecution, or other conditional release;
               (9)  was previously reported through the Public
  Education Information Management System (PEIMS) to have dropped out
  of school;
               (10)  is a student of limited English proficiency, as
  defined by Section 29.052;
               (11)  is in the custody or care of the Department of
  Protective and Regulatory Services or has, during the current
  school year, been referred to the department by a school official,
  officer of the juvenile court, or law enforcement official;
               (12)  is homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section
  11302, and its subsequent amendments; or
               (13)  resided in the preceding school year or resides
  in the current school year in a residential placement facility in
  the district, including a detention facility, substance abuse
  treatment facility, emergency shelter, psychiatric hospital,
  halfway house, or foster group home.
         SECTION 21.  (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 22.  Section 29.182(b), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  The state plan must include procedures designed to
  ensure that:
               (1)  all secondary and postsecondary students have the
  opportunity to participate in career and technology education
  programs;
               (2)  the state complies with requirements for
  supplemental federal career and technology education funding;
  [and]
               (3)  career and technology education is established as
  a part of the total education system of this state and constitutes
  an option for student learning that provides a rigorous course of
  study consistent with the required curriculum under Section 28.002
  and under which a student may receive specific education in a career
  and technology program that:
                     (A)  incorporates competencies leading to
  academic and technical skill attainment;
                     (B)  leads to:
                           (i)  an industry-recognized license,
  credential, or certificate; or
                           (ii)  at the postsecondary level, an
  associate or baccalaureate degree;
                     (C)  includes opportunities for students to earn
  college credit for coursework; and
                     (D)  includes, as an integral part of the program,
  participation by students and teachers in activities of career and
  technical student organizations supported by the agency and the
  State Board of Education; and
               (4)  a school district provides, to the greatest extent
  possible, to a student participating in a career and technology
  education program opportunities to enroll in dual credit courses
  designed to lead to a degree, license, or certification as part of
  the program.
         SECTION 23.  (a)  Sections 29.190(a) and (c), Education
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A student is entitled to a subsidy under this section
  if:
               (1)  the student:
                     (A)  successfully completes the career and
  technology program of a school district in which the student
  receives training and instruction for employment [in a current or
  emerging high-demand, high-wage, high-skill occupation, as
  determined under Subsection (e)]; or
                     (B)  is enrolled in a special education program
  under Subchapter A; and
               (2)  the student passes a certification examination to
  qualify for a license or certificate [for the occupation; and
               [(3)     the student submits to the district a written
  application in the form, time, and manner required by the district
  for the district to subsidize the cost of an examination described
  by Subdivision (2)].
         (c)  On approval by the commissioner, the agency shall pay
  each school district an amount equal to the cost paid by the
  district [or student] for the certification examination.  To obtain
  reimbursement for a subsidy paid under this section, a district
  must:
               (1)  pay the fee for the examination [or pay the student
  the amount of the fee paid by the student for the examination]; and
               (2)  submit to the commissioner a written application
  on a form prescribed by the commissioner stating the amount of the
  fee paid under Subdivision (1) for the certification examination.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 24.  (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 25.  (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 distinguished level of achievement
  under 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 26.  (a) Section 31.0211(c), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  Subject to Subsection (d), funds allotted under this
  section may be used to:
               (1)  purchase:
                     (A)  materials on the list adopted by the
  commissioner, as provided by Section 31.0231;
                     (B)  instructional materials, regardless of
  whether the instructional materials are on the list adopted under
  Section 31.024;
                     (C)  consumable instructional materials,
  including workbooks;
                     (D)  instructional materials for use in bilingual
  education classes, as provided by Section 31.029;
                     (E)  instructional materials for use in college
  preparatory courses under Section 28.014, as provided by Section
  31.031;
                     (F)  supplemental instructional materials, as
  provided by Section 31.035;
                     (G) [(F)]  state-developed open-source
  instructional materials, as provided by Subchapter B-1;
                     (H) [(G)]  instructional materials and
  technological equipment under any continuing contracts of the
  district in effect on September 1, 2011; and
                     (I) [(H)]  technological equipment necessary to
  support the use of materials included on the list adopted by the
  commissioner under Section 31.0231 or any instructional materials
  purchased with an allotment under this section; and
               (2)  pay:
                     (A)  for training educational personnel directly
  involved in student learning in the appropriate use of
  instructional materials and for providing for access to
  technological equipment for instructional use; and
                     (B)  the salary and other expenses of an employee
  who provides technical support for the use of technological
  equipment directly involved in student learning.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 27.  Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 31.0215 to read as follows:
         Sec. 31.0215.  INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL ALLOTMENT PURCHASES.
  (a) The commissioner shall, as early as practicable during each
  fiscal year, notify each school district and open-enrollment
  charter school of the estimated amount to which the district or
  charter school will be entitled under Section 31.0211 during the
  next fiscal year.
         (b)  The commissioner may allow a school district or
  open-enrollment charter school to place an order for instructional
  materials before the beginning of a fiscal year and to receive
  instructional materials before payment. The commissioner shall
  limit the cost of an order placed under this section to 80 percent
  of the estimated amount to which a school district or
  open-enrollment charter school is estimated to be entitled as
  provided by Subsection (a) and shall first credit any balance in a
  district or charter school instructional materials account to pay
  for an order placed under this section.
         (c)  The commissioner shall make payments for orders placed
  under this section as funds become available to the instructional
  materials fund and shall prioritize payment of orders placed under
  this section over reimbursement of purchases made directly by a
  school district or open-enrollment charter school.
         (d)  The commissioner shall ensure that publishers of
  instructional materials are informed of any potential delay in
  payment and that payment is subject to the availability of
  appropriated funds. A publisher may decline to accept an order
  placed under this section.
         (e)  Chapter 2251, Government Code, does not apply to
  purchases of instructional materials under this section.
         (f)  The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this
  section.
         SECTION 28.  (a) Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Education Code,
  is amended by adding Section 31.031 to read as follows:
         Sec. 31.031.  COLLEGE PREPARATORY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS.
  (a)  A school district may purchase with the district's
  instructional materials allotment or otherwise acquire
  instructional materials for use in college preparatory courses
  under Section 28.014.
         (b)  The commissioner shall adopt rules regarding the
  purchase of instructional materials under this section.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 29.  (a)  The heading to Section 33.007, Education
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 33.007.  COUNSELING REGARDING POSTSECONDARY [HIGHER]
  EDUCATION.
         (b)  This section takes effect beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 30.  (a)  Sections 33.007(a) and (b), Education
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Each school counselor at an elementary, middle, or
  junior high school, including an open-enrollment charter school
  offering those grades, shall advise students and their parents or
  guardians regarding the importance of postsecondary [higher]
  education, coursework designed to prepare students for
  postsecondary [higher] education, and financial aid availability
  and requirements.
         (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 each [a student's senior] year of a
  student's enrollment in high school or at the high school level, a
  school counselor shall provide information about postsecondary
  [higher] education to the student and the student's parent or
  guardian.  The information must include information regarding:
               (1)  the importance of postsecondary [higher]
  education;
               (2)  the advantages of earning an endorsement and a
  performance acknowledgment and completing the distinguished level
  of achievement under the foundation [recommended or advanced] high
  school program [adopted] under Section 28.025 [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;
               (4)  financial aid eligibility;
               (5)  instruction on how to apply for federal financial
  aid;
               (6)  the center for financial aid information
  established under Section 61.0776;
               (7)  the automatic admission of certain students to
  general academic teaching institutions as provided by Section
  51.803;
               (8)  the eligibility and academic performance
  requirements for the TEXAS Grant as provided by Subchapter M,
  Chapter 56; and
               (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 31.  (a)  Section 39.023, Education Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a-2), (b), (c), (c-3), (e), and (h) and
  adding Subsections (b-1), (e-1), (e-2), and (e-3) to read as
  follows:
         (a-2)  Except as required by federal law, a [A] student is
  not required to be assessed in a subject otherwise assessed at the
  student's grade level under Subsection (a) if the student:
               (1)  is enrolled in a course in the subject intended for
  students above the student's grade level and will be administered
  an assessment instrument adopted or developed under Subsection (a)
  that aligns with the curriculum for the course in which the student
  is enrolled; or
               (2)  is enrolled in a course in the subject for which
  the student will receive high school academic credit and will be
  administered an end-of-course assessment instrument adopted under
  Subsection (c) for the course.
         (b)  The agency shall develop or adopt appropriate
  criterion-referenced alternative assessment instruments to be
  administered to each student in a special education program under
  Subchapter A, Chapter 29, for whom an assessment instrument adopted
  under Subsection (a), even with allowable accommodations, would not
  provide an appropriate measure of student achievement, as
  determined by the student's admission, review, and dismissal
  committee, including assessment instruments approved by the
  commissioner that measure growth. The assessment instruments
  developed or adopted under this subsection, including the
  assessment instruments approved by the commissioner, must, to the
  extent allowed under federal law, provide a district with options
  for the assessment of students under this subsection.
         (b-1)  The agency, in conjunction with appropriate
  interested persons, shall redevelop assessment instruments adopted
  or developed under Subsection (b) for administration to
  significantly cognitively disabled students in a manner consistent
  with federal law. An assessment instrument under this subsection
  may not require a teacher to prepare tasks or materials for a
  student who will be administered such an assessment instrument.
  Assessment instruments adopted or developed under this subsection
  shall be administered not later than the 2014-2015 school year.
         (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. The English I and English II end-of-course
  assessment instruments must each assess essential knowledge and
  skills in both reading and writing in the same assessment
  instrument and must provide a single score. A school district shall
  comply with State Board of Education rules regarding administration
  of the assessment instruments listed in this subsection [and 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 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 that complies with the
  requirements of Subsection (c-3).
         (c-3)  In adopting a schedule for the administration of
  assessment instruments under this section, the State Board of
  Education shall require:
               (1)  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)  the spring administration of end-of-course
  assessment instruments under Subsection (c) 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 and[,] English II[, and English III] must
  be permitted to occur at an earlier date.
         (e)  Under rules adopted by the State Board of Education,
  every third year, the agency shall release the questions and answer
  keys to each assessment instrument administered under Subsection
  (a), (b), (c), (d), or (l), excluding any assessment instrument
  administered to a student for the purpose of retaking the
  assessment instrument, after the last time the instrument is
  administered for that school year.  To ensure a valid bank of
  questions for use each year, the agency is not required to release a
  question that is being field-tested and was not used to compute the
  student's score on the instrument.  The agency shall also release,
  under board rule, each question that is no longer being
  field-tested and that was not used to compute a student's score.
  During the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years, the agency shall
  release the questions and answer keys to assessment instruments as
  described by this subsection each year.
         (e-1)  Under rules adopted by the commissioner, for the
  2012-2013 school year, the agency each year shall release the
  questions and answer keys to each assessment instrument
  administered under Subsection (a), (c), (d), or (l), excluding any
  assessment instrument administered to a student for the purpose of
  retaking the assessment instrument, after the last time the
  instrument is administered for that school year. This subsection
  expires December 31, 2013.
         (e-2)  Under rules adopted by the commissioner, for the
  2013-2014 school year, the agency each year shall release the
  questions and answer keys to each assessment instrument
  administered under Subsection (b), (c), or (l), excluding any
  assessment instrument administered to a student for the purpose of
  retaking the assessment instrument and any assessment instrument
  covering a subject or course for which the questions and answer keys
  for the 2012-2013 assessment instrument covering that subject or
  course were released, after the last time the instrument is
  administered for the 2013-2014 school year. This subsection expires
  December 31, 2014.
         (e-3)  Under rules adopted by the commissioner, for the
  2013-2014 school year, the agency each year shall release the
  questions and answer keys to each assessment instrument
  administered under Subsection (a), (b), (c), (d), or (l) during the
  2013-2014 school year after the last time any assessment instrument
  is administered for the 2013-2014 school year. This subsection
  expires December 31, 2014.
         (h)  The agency shall notify school districts and campuses of
  the results of assessment instruments administered under this
  section [at the earliest possible date determined by the State
  Board of Education but] not later than the 21st day after the date
  the assessment instrument is administered [beginning of the
  subsequent school year].  The school district shall disclose to
  each district teacher the results of assessment instruments
  administered to students taught by the teacher in the subject for
  the school year in which the assessment instrument is administered.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 32.  (a)  Section 39.0232, Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.0232.  USE OF END-OF-COURSE ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT AS
  PLACEMENT INSTRUMENT; CERTAIN USES PROHIBITED. (a) To the extent
  practicable, the agency shall ensure that any high school
  end-of-course assessment instrument developed by the agency is
  developed in such a manner that the assessment instrument may be
  used to determine the appropriate placement of a student in a course
  of the same subject matter at an institution of higher education.
         (b)  A student's performance on an end-of-course assessment
  instrument may not be used:
               (1)  in determining the student's class ranking for any
  purpose, including entitlement to automatic college admission
  under Section 51.803 or 51.804; or
               (2)  as a sole criterion in the determination of
  whether to admit the student to a general academic teaching
  institution in this state.
         (c)  Subsection (b)(2) does not prohibit a general academic
  teaching institution from implementing an admission policy that
  takes into consideration a student's performance on an
  end-of-course assessment instrument in addition to other criteria.
         (d)  In this section, "general academic teaching
  institution" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 33.  (a) Section 39.0233(a), Education Code, is
  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 Section 39.023(c) 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 39.233 [39.113] and 51.3062.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 34.  (a) Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code,
  is amended by adding Section 39.0238 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.0238.  ADOPTION AND ADMINISTRATION OF POSTSECONDARY
  READINESS ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS. (a) In addition to other
  assessment instruments adopted and developed under this
  subchapter, the agency shall adopt or develop appropriate
  postsecondary readiness assessment instruments for Algebra II and
  English III that a school district may administer at the district's
  option.
         (b)  To the extent practicable, the agency shall ensure that
  each postsecondary readiness assessment instrument:
               (1)  assesses essential knowledge and skills and
  growth;
               (2)  is developed in a manner that measures a student's
  performance under the college readiness standards established
  under Section 28.008; and
               (3)  is validated by national postsecondary education
  experts for college readiness content and performance standards.
         (c)  In adopting a schedule for the administration of
  postsecondary readiness assessment instruments under this section,
  the State Board of Education shall require the annual
  administration of the postsecondary readiness assessment
  instruments to occur not earlier than the second full week in May.
         (d)  The agency shall adopt a policy requiring each school
  district that elects to administer postsecondary readiness
  assessment instruments under Subsection (a) to annually:
               (1)  administer the applicable postsecondary readiness
  assessment instrument to each student enrolled in a course for
  which a postsecondary readiness assessment instrument is adopted or
  developed under Subsection (a), including applied Algebra II; and
               (2)  report the results of the postsecondary readiness
  assessment instruments to the agency.
         (e)  The agency shall annually deliver a report to the
  governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
  representatives, and the presiding officers of the standing
  committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over public
  education. The report must include a summary of student performance
  on the preceding year's postsecondary readiness assessment
  instruments.
         (f)  The results of a postsecondary readiness assessment
  instrument administered under this section may not be used by:
               (1)  the agency for accountability purposes for a
  school campus or school district;
               (2)  a school district:
                     (A)  for the purpose of teacher evaluations; or
                     (B)  in determining a student's final course grade
  or determining a student's class rank for the purpose of high school
  graduation; or
               (3)  an institution of higher education:
                     (A)  for admission purposes; or
                     (B)  to determine eligibility for a TEXAS grant.
         (g)  A school district may not administer an additional
  benchmark assessment instrument solely for the purpose of preparing
  for a postsecondary readiness assessment instrument administered
  under this section.  In this subsection, "benchmark assessment
  instrument" means a district-required assessment instrument
  designed to prepare students for a postsecondary readiness
  assessment instrument administered under this section.
         (h)  The agency shall acknowledge a school district that
  elects to administer the postsecondary readiness assessment
  instruments as provided by Subsection (a).
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2015-2016
  school year.
         SECTION 35.  (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)  A student enrolled in a college preparatory course
  under Section 28.014 who satisfies the Texas Success Initiative
  (TSI) college readiness benchmarks prescribed by the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board under Section 51.3062(f) on an
  assessment instrument designated by the Texas Higher Education
  Coordinating Board under Section 51.3062(c) administered at the end
  of the college preparatory course satisfies the requirements
  concerning an end-of-course assessment in an equivalent course as
  prescribed by Subsection (a).  The commissioner [by rule] shall
  determine a method by which a student's satisfactory performance on
  an advanced placement test, an international baccalaureate
  examination, an SAT Subject Test, the SAT, the ACT, or any
  nationally recognized norm-referenced [another] assessment
  instrument used by institutions of higher education to award course
  credit based on satisfactory performance on the [determined by the
  commissioner to be at least as rigorous as an end-of-course]
  assessment instrument shall [adopted under Section 39.023(c) may]
  be used to satisfy [as a factor in determining whether the student
  satisfies] the requirements concerning an end-of-course assessment
  instrument in an equivalent course as prescribed by [of] Subsection
  (a)[, including the cumulative score requirement of that
  subsection]. The commissioner shall [by rule may] determine a
  method by which a student's satisfactory performance on the PSAT [a
  Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) assessment] or the
  ACT-Plan shall [a preliminary American College Test (ACT)
  assessment may] be used to satisfy [as a factor in determining
  whether the student satisfies] the requirements concerning an
  end-of-course assessment instrument in an equivalent course as
  prescribed by [of] Subsection (a).  A student who fails to perform
  satisfactorily on a test or other assessment instrument authorized
  under this subsection, other than the PSAT or the ACT-Plan, may
  retake that test or other assessment instrument for purposes of
  this subsection or may take the appropriate end-of-course
  assessment instrument. A student who fails to perform
  satisfactorily on the PSAT or the ACT-Plan must take the
  appropriate end-of-course assessment instrument. The commissioner
  shall adopt rules as necessary for the administration of this
  subsection.
         (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 requirement 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 Subsection (a) [requirements] for one or
  more end-of-course assessment instruments administered to the
  student as provided [subjects prescribed] 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 [requirements] prescribed by Subsection (a).
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 36.  (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 37.  (a) Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code,
  is amended by adding Section 39.0263 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.0263.  ADMINISTRATION OF DISTRICT-REQUIRED
  BENCHMARK ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR
  STATE-ADMINISTERED ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS. (a) In this section,
  "benchmark assessment instrument" means a district-required
  assessment instrument designed to prepare students for a
  corresponding state-administered assessment instrument.
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), a school district
  may not administer to any student more than two benchmark
  assessment instruments to prepare the student for a corresponding
  state-administered assessment instrument.
         (c)  The prohibition prescribed by this section does not
  apply to the administration of a college preparation assessment
  instrument, including the PSAT, the ACT-Plan, the SAT, or the ACT,
  an advanced placement test, an international baccalaureate
  examination, or an independent classroom examination designed or
  adopted and administered by a classroom teacher.
         (d)  A parent of or person standing in parental relation to a
  student who has special needs, as determined in accordance with
  commissioner rule, may request administration to the student of
  additional benchmark assessment instruments.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 38.  (a) Section 39.027, Education Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (a-2) to read as follows:
         (a-2)  Unless a student is enrolled in a school in the United
  States for a period of at least 60 consecutive days during a year,
  the student may not be considered to be enrolled in a school in the
  United States for that year for the purpose of determining a number
  of years under Subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3).
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 39.  Section 39.0301, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  In establishing procedures under Subsection (a)(1)
  for the administration of assessment instruments, the commissioner
  shall ensure that the procedures are designed to minimize
  disruptions to school operations and the classroom environment. In
  implementing the procedures established under Subsection (a)(1)
  for the administration of assessment instruments, a school district
  shall minimize disruptions to school operations and the classroom
  environment.
         SECTION 40.  Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 39.038 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.038.  RESTRICTION ON APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY
  COMMITTEES. The commissioner may not appoint a person to a
  committee or panel that advises the commissioner or agency
  regarding state accountability systems under this title or the
  content or administration of an assessment instrument if the person
  is retained or employed by an assessment instrument vendor.
         SECTION 41.  (a)  Subchapter B, Chapter 39, Education Code,
  is amended by adding Section 39.039 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.039.  PROHIBITION ON POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION OR
  ACTIVITY BY CERTAIN CONTRACTORS.  (a) A person who is an agent of an
  entity that has been contracted to develop or implement assessment
  instruments required under Section 39.023 commits an offense if the
  person makes or authorizes a political contribution to or takes
  part in, directly or indirectly, the campaign of any person seeking
  election to or serving on the State Board of Education.
         (b)  A person who is an agent of an entity that has been
  contracted to develop or implement assessment instruments required
  under Section 39.023 commits an offense if the person serves as a
  member of a formal or informal advisory committee established by
  the commissioner, agency staff, or the State Board of Education to
  advise the commissioner, agency staff, or the State Board of
  Education regarding policies or implementation of the requirements
  of this subchapter.
         (c)  An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
         (b)  This section applies September 1, 2013.
         SECTION 42.  (a)  Section 39.053, Education Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (c) and (g-1) and adding Subsections (c-1)
  and (c-2) to read as follows:
         (c)  Indicators of student achievement adopted under this
  section 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.);
               (4)  the percentage of students who successfully
  completed the curriculum requirements for the distinguished level
  of achievement under the foundation high school program;
               (5)  the percentage of students who successfully
  completed the curriculum requirements for an endorsement under
  Section 28.025(c-1); and
               (6)  at least three additional indicators of student
  achievement to evaluate district and campus performance, which must
  include either:
                     (A)  the percentage of students who satisfy the
  Texas Success Initiative (TSI) college readiness benchmarks
  prescribed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under
  Section 51.3062(f) on an assessment instrument in reading,
  writing, or mathematics designated by the Texas Higher Education
  Coordinating Board under Section 51.3062(c); or
                     (B)  the number of students who earn:
                           (i)  at least 12 hours of postsecondary
  credit required for the foundation high school program under
  Section 28.025 or to earn an endorsement under Section 28.025(c-1);
                           (ii)  at least 30 hours of postsecondary
  credit required for the foundation high school program under
  Section 28.025 or to earn an endorsement under Section 28.025(c-1);
                           (iii)  an associate's degree; or
                           (iv)  an industry certification.
         (c-1)  An indicator adopted under Subsection (c) that would
  measure improvements in student achievement cannot negatively
  affect the commissioner's review of a school district or campus if
  that district or campus is already achieving at the highest level
  for that indicator.
         (c-2)  The commissioner by rule shall determine a method by
  which a student's performance may be included in determining the
  performance rating of a school district or campus under Section
  39.054 if, before the student graduates, the student:
               (1)  satisfies the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
  college readiness benchmarks prescribed by the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board under Section 51.3062(f) on an
  assessment instrument designated by the Texas Higher Education
  Coordinating Board under Section 51.3062(c); or
               (2)  performs satisfactorily on an assessment
  instrument under Section 39.023(c), notwithstanding Subsection
  (d).
         (g-1)  In computing dropout and completion rates under
  Subsection (c)(2), the commissioner shall exclude:
               (1)  students who are ordered by a court to attend a
  high school equivalency certificate program but who have not yet
  earned a high school equivalency certificate;
               (2)  students who were previously reported to the state
  as dropouts, including a student who is reported as a dropout,
  reenrolls, and drops out again, regardless of the number of times of
  reenrollment and dropping out;
               (3)  students in attendance who are not in membership
  for purposes of average daily attendance;
               (4)  students whose initial enrollment in a school in
  the United States in grades 7 through 12 was as unschooled refugees
  or asylees as defined by Section 39.027(a-1);
               (5)  students who are in the district exclusively as a
  function of having been detained at a county detention facility but
  are otherwise not students of the district in which the facility is
  located; and
               (6)  students who are incarcerated in state jails and
  federal penitentiaries as adults and as persons certified to stand
  trial as adults.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 43.  (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 44.  (a) Section 39.054(a), Education Code, is
  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
  of A, B, C, D, or F. In adopting rules under this subsection, the
  commissioner shall determine the criteria for each designated
  letter performance rating. A district performance rating of A, B,
  or C [that] reflects acceptable performance and a district
  performance rating of D or F reflects [or] unacceptable
  performance. The commissioner shall also assign each campus a
  performance rating of exemplary, recognized, acceptable, or
  unacceptable. A campus performance rating of exemplary,
  recognized, or acceptable reflects acceptable performance, and a
  campus performance rating of unacceptable reflects unacceptable
  performance.  A district may not receive a performance rating of A
  if the district includes any campus with a performance rating of
  unacceptable.  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 that reflected [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)  This section applies beginning with the 2016-2017
  school year.
         SECTION 45.  (a) Section 39.054(b), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (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 46.  (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 PERFORMANCE IN
  COMMUNITY AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT; COMPLIANCE. (a) Each school
  district shall evaluate the district's performance and the
  performance of each campus in the district in community and student
  engagement and in compliance as provided by this section and assign
  the district and each campus a performance rating of exemplary,
  recognized, acceptable, or unacceptable for both overall
  performance and each individual evaluation factor listed under
  Subsection (b). Not later than August 8 of each year, the district
  shall report each performance rating to the agency and make the
  performance ratings publicly available as provided by commissioner
  rule.
         (b)  For purposes of assigning the performance ratings under
  Subsection (a), a school district must evaluate:
               (1)  the following programs or specific categories of
  performance at each campus:
                     (A)  fine arts;
                     (B)  wellness and physical education;
                     (C)  community and parental involvement, such as:
                           (i)  opportunities for parents to assist
  students in preparing for assessments under Section 39.023;
                           (ii)  tutoring programs that support
  students taking assessments under Section 39.023; and
                           (iii)  opportunities for students to
  participate in community service projects;
                     (D)  the 21st Century Workforce Development
  program;
                     (E)  the second language acquisition program;
                     (F)  the digital learning environment;
                     (G)  dropout prevention strategies; and
                     (H)  educational programs for gifted and talented
  students; and
               (2)  the record of the district and each campus
  regarding compliance with statutory reporting and policy
  requirements.
         (c)  A school district shall use criteria developed by a
  local committee to evaluate:
               (1)  the performance of the district's campus programs
  and categories of performance under Subsection (b)(1); and
               (2)  the record of the district and each campus
  regarding compliance under Subsection (b)(2).
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 47.  Section 39.056, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
         (f)  A district which takes action with regard to the
  recommendations provided by the investigators as prescribed by
  Subsection (e) shall make a reasonable effort to seek assistance
  from a third party in developing an action plan to improve district
  performance using improvement techniques that are goal oriented and
  research based.
         SECTION 48.  (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 Algebra II course or any other advanced 
  course as 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;
               (12)  when a disproportionate number of students of a
  particular demographic group is graduating with a particular
  endorsement under Section 28.025(c-1);
               (13)  when an excessive number of students is
  graduating with a particular endorsement under Section
  28.025(c-1); or
               (14) [(13)]  as the commissioner otherwise determines
  necessary.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 49.  (a)  Section 39.082, Education Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (d),
  (e), (f), (g), (h), (h-1), and (i) to read as follows:
         (a)  The commissioner shall, in consultation with the
  comptroller, develop and implement separate financial
  accountability rating systems for school districts and
  open-enrollment charter schools in this state that:
               (1)  distinguish among school districts and
  distinguish among open-enrollment charter schools, as applicable,
  based on levels of financial performance; [and]
               (2)  include procedures to:
                     (A)  provide additional transparency to public
  education finance; and
                     (B)  enable the commissioner and school district
  and open-enrollment charter school administrators to provide
  meaningful financial oversight and improvement; and
               (3)  include processes for anticipating the future
  financial solvency of each school district and open-enrollment
  charter school, including analysis of district and school revenues
  and expenditures for preceding school years.
         (b)  The system must include uniform indicators adopted by
  [the] commissioner rule by which to measure the financial
  management performance and future financial solvency of a district
  or open-enrollment charter school.  In adopting indicators under
  this subsection, the commissioner shall assign a point value to
  each indicator to be used in a scoring matrix developed by the
  commissioner.  Any reference to a teacher in an indicator adopted by
  the commissioner under this subsection means a classroom teacher.
         (d)  The commissioner shall evaluate indicators adopted
  under Subsection (b) at least once every three years.
         (e)  Under the financial accountability rating system
  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.
         (f)  A district or open-enrollment charter school shall
  receive the lowest rating under the system if the district or school
  fails to achieve a satisfactory rating on:
               (1)  an indicator adopted under Subsection (b) relating
  to financial management or solvency that the commissioner
  determines to be critical; or
               (2)  a category of indicators that suggest trends
  leading to financial distress as determined by the commissioner.
         (g)  Before assigning a final rating under the system, the
  commissioner shall assign each district or open-enrollment charter
  school a preliminary rating.  A district or school may submit
  additional information to the commissioner relating to any
  indicator on which performance was considered unsatisfactory. The
  commissioner shall consider any additional information submitted
  by a district or school before assigning a final rating.  If the
  commissioner determines that the additional information negates
  the concern raised by the indicator on which performance was
  considered unsatisfactory, the commissioner may not penalize the
  district or school on the basis of the indicator.
         (h)  The commissioner shall adopt rules for the
  implementation of this section.
         (h-1)  The commissioner shall adopt initial rules necessary
  to implement the changes to this section made by the 83rd
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, not later than March 1, 2015.  
  This subsection expires April 1, 2015.
         (i)  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 system
  developed under this section shall be made publicly available as
  provided by rules adopted under this section.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 50.  (a)  Section 39.0823, Education Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  If the commissioner, based on the indicators adopted
  under Section 39.082 or other relevant information, projects a
  [review process under Section 39.0822 indicates a projected]
  deficit for a school district or open-enrollment charter school
  general fund within the following three school years, the agency
  [district] shall provide the district or school [agency] interim
  financial reports, including projected revenues and expenditures
  [supplemented by staff and student count data, as needed], to
  evaluate the [district's] current budget status of the district or
  school.
         (d)  The agency may require a district or open-enrollment
  charter school to submit additional information needed to produce a
  financial report under Subsection (a).  If a district or school
  fails to provide information requested under this subsection or if
  the commissioner determines that the information submitted by a
  district or school is unreliable, the commissioner may order the
  district or school to acquire professional services as provided by
  Section 39.109.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 51.  (a)  Subchapter D, Chapter 39, Education Code,
  is amended by adding Section 39.0824 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.0824.  CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN. (a)  A school
  district or open-enrollment charter school assigned the lowest
  rating under Section 39.082 shall submit to the commissioner a
  corrective action plan to address the financial weaknesses of the
  district or school.  A corrective action plan must identify the
  specific areas of financial weaknesses, such as financial
  weaknesses in transportation, curriculum, or teacher development,
  and include strategies for improvement.
         (b)  The commissioner may impose appropriate sanctions under
  Subchapter E against a district or school failing to submit or
  implement a corrective action plan required under Subsection (a).
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 52.  (a)  Section 39.083(b), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The annual financial management report must include:
               (1)  a description of the district's financial
  management performance based on a comparison, provided by the
  agency, of the district's performance on the indicators adopted
  under Section 39.082(b) to:
                     (A)  state-established standards; and
                     (B)  the district's previous performance on the
  indicators; and
               (2)  [a description of the data submitted using the
  electronic-based program developed under Section 39.0822; and
               [(3)]  any descriptive information required by the
  commissioner.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 53.  (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 54.  (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), aggregated across grade levels by
  subject area; or
                     (B)  met the standard for annual improvement, as
  determined by the agency under Section 39.034, on assessment
  instruments required under Section 39.023(a), (b), (c), or (l),
  aggregated across grade levels by subject area, for students who
  did not perform satisfactorily as described by Paragraph (A);
               (2)  percentages of:
                     (A)  students who earned a nationally or
  internationally recognized business or industry certification or
  license;
                     (B)  students who completed a coherent sequence of
  career and technical courses;
                     (C)  students who completed a dual credit course
  or an articulated postsecondary course provided for local credit;
                     (D)  students who achieved applicable College
  Readiness Benchmarks or the equivalent on the Preliminary
  Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT), the Scholastic Assessment Test
  (SAT), the American College Test (ACT), or the ACT-Plan assessment
  program; and
                     (E)  students who received a score on either an
  advanced placement test or an international baccalaureate
  examination to be awarded college credit; and
               (3) [(2)]  other factors for determining sufficient
  student attainment of postsecondary readiness.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 55.  (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 56.  (a) Section 39.235(b), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  Before awarding a grant under this section, the
  commissioner may require a campus or school district to:
               (1)  obtain local matching funds; or
               (2)  meet other conditions, including developing a
  personal graduation plan under Section 28.0212 or 28.02121, as
  applicable, for each student enrolled at the campus or in a district
  middle, junior high, or high school.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 57.  (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:
                     (A)  the foundation [minimum] high school
  program;
                     (B)  [,] the distinguished level of achievement
  under the foundation [recommended] high school program;[,] and
                     (C)  each endorsement described by Section
  28.025(c-1) [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;
               (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;
               (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 foundation [minimum]
  high school program and take additional courses to earn an
  endorsement under Section 28.025(c-1), disaggregated by type of
  endorsement;
               (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;
               (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);
               (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);
               (8)  the percentage of students who satisfy the college
  readiness measure;
               (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;
               (10)  the percentage of students who are not
  educationally disadvantaged;
               (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
               (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 58.  Subchapter J, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 39.309 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.309.  TEXAS SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY DASHBOARD. (a)  
  The agency shall develop and maintain an Internet website, separate
  from the agency's Internet website, to be known as the Texas School
  Accountability Dashboard for the public to access school district
  and campus accountability information.
         (b)  The commissioner shall adopt, for use on the Texas
  School Accountability Dashboard, a performance index in each of the
  following areas:
               (1)  student achievement;
               (2)  student progress;
               (3)  closing performance gaps; and
               (4)  postsecondary readiness.
         (c)  The Texas School Accountability Dashboard developed
  under Subsection (a) must include:
               (1)  performance information for each school district
  and campus in areas specified by Subsection (b) and must allow for
  comparison between districts and campuses in each of the areas;
               (2)  a comparison of the number of students enrolled in
  each school district, including:
                     (A)  the percentage of students of limited English
  proficiency, as defined by Section 29.052;
                     (B)  the percentage of students who are unschooled
  asylees or refugees, as defined by Section 39.027(a-1);
                     (C)  the percentage of students who are
  educationally disadvantaged; and
                     (D)  the percentage of students with
  disabilities;
               (3)  a comparison of performance information for each
  district and campus disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and
  populations served by special programs, including special
  education, bilingual education, and special language programs; and
               (4)  a comparison of performance information by subject
  area.
         SECTION 59.  (a)  Section 39.332(b), Education Code, is
  amended by amending Subdivision (23) and adding Subdivision (24) to
  read as follows:
               (23)  The report must contain an evaluation of the
  availability of endorsements under Section 28.025(c-1), including
  the following information for each school district:
                     (A)  the endorsements under Section 28.025(c-1)
  for which the district offers all courses for curriculum
  requirements as determined by board rule; and
                     (B)  the district's economic, geographic, and
  demographic information, as determined by the commissioner.
               (24)  The report must contain any additional
  information considered important by the commissioner or the State
  Board of Education.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 60.  (a)  Subchapter L, Chapter 39, Education Code,
  is amended by adding Section 39.363 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.363.  NOTICE ON AGENCY WEBSITE. Not later than
  October 1 of each year, the agency shall make the following
  information available to the public on the agency's Internet
  website:
               (1)  the letter performance rating assigned to each
  school district and campus under Section 39.054 and each
  distinction designation awarded to a school district or campus
  under Subchapter G;
               (2)  the performance rating assigned to a school
  district and each campus in the district by the district under
  Section 39.0545; and
               (3)  the financial accountability rating assigned to
  each school district and open-enrollment charter school under
  Section 39.082.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         [The bill does not contain a SECTION 61.]
         SECTION 62.  (a) Section 51.3062(q-1), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (q-1)  A student who has [completed 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 28.008 [39.024] on the postsecondary readiness
  assessment instruments adopted under Section 39.0238 for 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 2015-2016
  school year.
         SECTION 63.  (a) Section 51.3062, Education Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (q-2) to read as follows:
         (q-2)  A student who successfully completes a college
  preparatory course under Section 28.014 is exempt from the
  requirements of this section with respect to the content area of the
  course.  The commissioner of higher education by rule shall
  establish the period for which an exemption under this subsection
  is valid.  The exemption applies only at the institution of higher
  education that partners with the school district in which the
  student is enrolled to provide the course, except that the
  commissioner by rule may determine the manner in which the
  exemption may be applied to institutions of higher education other
  than the partnering institution.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 64.  (a)  Section 51.803, Education Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a), (b), and (d) and adding Subsection (m)
  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
  distinguished level of achievement under 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 distinguished level of achievement under 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.
         (b)  An applicant who does not satisfy the curriculum
  requirements prescribed by Subsection (a)(2)(A)(i) or (ii) is
  considered to have satisfied those requirements if the student
  completed the portion of the distinguished level of achievement
  under the foundation high school program [recommended or advanced]
  curriculum or of the curriculum equivalent in content and rigor, as
  applicable, that was available to the student but was unable to
  complete the remainder of the curriculum solely because courses
  necessary to complete the remainder were unavailable to the student
  at the appropriate times in the student's high school career as a
  result of course scheduling, lack of enrollment capacity, or
  another cause not within the student's control.
         (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 distinguished level of
  achievement under the foundation high school program [recommended
  or advanced] curriculum or of the curriculum equivalent in content
  and rigor, as applicable, that was available to the student.
         (m)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the
  commissioner of education shall jointly adopt rules to establish
  eligibility requirements for admission under this section as to
  curriculum requirements for high school graduation under
  Subsection (a)(2)(A) for students participating under the
  recommended or advanced high school program so that the admission
  of those students is not affected by their participation in the
  recommended or advanced high school program. This subsection
  expires September 1, 2020.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 65.  (a) Section 51.805, Education Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (g) 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:
               (1)  successfully completed [satisfies the
  requirements of]:
                     (A)  at a public high school, the curriculum
  requirements established under Section 28.025 for the foundation
  high school program; or
                     (B)  at a high school to which Section 28.025 does
  not apply, a curriculum that is equivalent in content and rigor to
  the foundation high school program [(1)     Section 51.803(a)(2)(A)
  or 51.803(b), as applicable to the student, or Section
  51.803(a)(2)(B)]; or [and]
               (2)  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
  [Sections 51.803(c)(2) and 51.803(d)].
         (g)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the
  commissioner of education shall jointly adopt rules to establish
  eligibility requirements for admission under this section as to
  curriculum requirements for high school graduation under
  Subsection (a)(1) for students participating in the minimum,
  recommended, or advanced high school program so that the admission
  requirements for those students under this section are not more
  stringent than the admission requirements under this section for
  students participating in the foundation high school program. This
  subsection expires September 1, 2020.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 66.  (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 or the
  distinguished level of achievement under the foundation high school
  program.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 67.  (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, 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 H.B. No. 5, 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 68.  (a)  Section 56.3041, Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 56.3041.  INITIAL ELIGIBILITY OF PERSON GRADUATING FROM
  HIGH SCHOOL ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 2013, AND ENROLLING IN A GENERAL
  ACADEMIC TEACHING INSTITUTION.  (a)  Notwithstanding Section
  56.304(a), to be eligible initially for a TEXAS grant, a person
  graduating from high school on or after May 1, 2013, and enrolling
  in a general academic teaching institution must:
               (1)  be a resident of this state as determined by
  coordinating board rules;
               (2)  meet the academic requirements prescribed by
  Paragraph (A), (B), or (C) as follows:
                     (A)  be a graduate of a public or accredited
  private high school in this state who completed the foundation
  [recommended] high school program established under Section 28.025
  or its equivalent and have accomplished any two or more of the
  following:
                           (i)  [graduation under the advanced high
  school program established under Section 28.025 or its equivalent,]
  successful completion of the course requirements of the
  international baccalaureate diploma program[,] or earning of the
  equivalent of at least 12 semester credit hours of college credit in
  high school through courses described in Sections 28.009(a)(1),
  (2), and (3);
                           (ii)  satisfaction of the Texas Success
  Initiative (TSI) college readiness benchmarks prescribed by the
  coordinating board under Section 51.3062(f) on any assessment
  instrument designated by the coordinating board under Section
  51.3062(c) [or (e)] or qualification for an exemption as described
  by Section 51.3062(p), (q), or (q-1);
                           (iii)  graduation in the top one-third of
  the person's high school graduating class or graduation from high
  school with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a four-point
  scale or the equivalent; or
                           (iv)  completion for high school credit of
  at least one advanced mathematics course following the successful
  completion of an Algebra II course[, as permitted by Section
  28.025(b-3),] or at least one advanced career and technical or
  technology applications course[, as permitted by Section
  28.025(b-2)];
                     (B)  have received an associate degree from a
  public or private institution of higher education; or
                     (C)  if sufficient money is available, meet the
  eligibility criteria described by Section 56.304(a)(2)(A);
               (3)  meet financial need requirements established by
  the coordinating board;
               (4)  be enrolled in an undergraduate degree or
  certificate program at the general academic teaching institution;
               (5)  except as provided under rules adopted under
  Section 56.304(h), be enrolled as:
                     (A)  an entering undergraduate student for at
  least three-fourths of a full course load, as determined by the
  coordinating board, not later than the 16th month after the
  calendar month in which the person graduated from high school;
                     (B)  an entering undergraduate student who
  entered military service not later than the first anniversary of
  the date the person graduated from high school and who enrolled for
  at least three-fourths of a full course load, as determined by the
  coordinating board, at the general academic teaching institution
  not later than 12 months after being honorably discharged from
  military service; or
                     (C)  a continuing undergraduate student for at
  least three-fourths of a full course load, as determined by the
  coordinating board, not later than the 12th month after the
  calendar month in which the person received an associate degree
  from a public or private institution of higher education;
               (6)  have applied for any available financial aid or
  assistance; and
               (7)  comply with any additional nonacademic
  requirements adopted by the coordinating board under this
  subchapter.
         (b)  For purposes of Subsection (a)(2)(A), a student who
  graduated under the recommended or advanced high school program is
  considered to have successfully completed the curriculum
  requirements of Section 51.803(a)(2)(A)(i).  This subsection
  expires September 1, 2020.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2014-2015
  school year.
         SECTION 69.  (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 or
  technology applications 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 70.  (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 71.  (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 72.  (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 73.  (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 74.  (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 75.  (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
  and the distinguished level of achievement under the foundation
  high school program and earn appropriate endorsements as provided
  by Section 28.025, 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 and computational 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 76.  (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
  and the distinguished level of achievement under the foundation
  high school program and earn appropriate endorsements as provided
  by Section 28.025, 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 77.  (a)  Section 130.008, Education Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (f) to
  read as follows:
         (d)  A [Except as provided by Subsection (d-1), a] public
  junior college may enter into an agreement with a school district,
  organization, or other person that operates a high school to offer a
  course as provided by this section regardless of whether the high
  school is located within the service area of the junior college
  district.
         (f)  A student described by Subsection (a) may enroll in not
  more than three courses each school year offered as provided by this
  section.
         (b)  This section applies beginning with the 2013-2014
  school year.
         SECTION 78.  (a) Effective September 1, 2013, the following
  sections of the Education Code are repealed:
               (1)  Sections 29.190(b), (d), and (e);
               (2)  Sections 39.024(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and
  (h);
               (3)  Section 39.0241(a-2);
               (4)  Section 39.0242;
               (5)  Sections 39.025(a-2) and (a-3); and
               (6)  Section 130.008(d-1).
         (b)  Effective September 1, 2014, the following provisions
  of the Education Code are repealed:
               (1)  Section 28.002(q);
               (2)  Sections 28.0212(e) and (g);
               (3)  Sections 28.025(b-6), (b-8), and (g);
               (4)  Section 39.0822; and
               (5)  Sections 39.0823(b) and (c).
         SECTION 79.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
  this section, Section 39.025, Education Code, as amended by
  Sections 35 and 36 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 2013-2014 school
  year 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 35 of
  this Act, and Section 39.025, Education Code, as amended by Section
  35 of this Act, is continued in effect for purposes of satisfying
  those end-of-course testing requirements.
         (c)  The commissioner of education may by rule adopt a
  transition plan to implement the amendments made by this Act
  relating to end-of-course testing requirements during the
  2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years.
         SECTION 80.  Not later than October 1, 2013, the
  commissioner of education shall adopt rules to administer Section
  39.025(a-1), Education Code, as amended by this Act.
         SECTION 81.  Section 39.027(a-2), Education Code, as added
  by this Act, applies to a student regardless of the date on which
  the student initially enrolled in a school in the United States.
         SECTION 82.  If, on September 1, 2013, a person is serving on
  a committee or panel that advises the commissioner of education or
  the Texas Education Agency who would not be eligible for
  appointment under Section 39.038, Education Code, as added by this
  Act, the person's position on the committee or panel becomes vacant
  and shall be filled in accordance with applicable law.
         SECTION 83.  (a) The Texas Education Agency, in
  collaboration with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
  and the Texas Workforce Commission, shall, through an external
  evaluator at a center for education research authorized by Section
  1.005, Education Code, evaluate the implementation of the changes
  made by this Act to the curriculum requirements for high school
  graduation. The evaluation must include an estimation of this
  Act's effect on high school graduation rates, college readiness,
  college admissions, college completion, obtainment of workforce
  certificates, employment rates, and earnings.
         (b)  The commissioner of education shall submit an initial
  report regarding the review to the governor, lieutenant governor,
  and members of the legislature not later than December 1, 2015. The
  commissioner of education shall submit a final report regarding
  the review to the governor, lieutenant governor, and members of the
  legislature not later than December 1, 2017.
         SECTION 84.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act:
               (1)  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; and
               (2)  if this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
  immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 5 was passed by the House on March 27,
  2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 147, Nays 2, 1 present, not
  voting; that the House refused to concur in Senate amendments to
  H.B. No. 5 on May 10, 2013, and requested the appointment of a
  conference committee to consider the differences between the two
  houses; and that the House adopted the conference committee report
  on H.B. No. 5 on May 26, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 147,
  Nays 0, 1 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 5 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 6, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0;
  at the request of the House, the Senate appointed a conference
  committee to consider the differences between the two houses; and
  that the Senate adopted the conference committee report on H.B. No.
  5 on May 26, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor       

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