During the recent session of the Texas legislature, House Bill 3 was passed which included a change in the state requirements for high school graduation. Bandera ISD received notification earlier this month from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) with information about the new requirements. Typically new graduation requirements take effect with the incoming freshman class, but these requirements impact all high school students beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. Because the TEA chose not to phase in these requirements and did so at such a late date, there has been some confusion with the interpretation of the bill.

With the passage of House Bill (HB) 3, new graduation requirements will take effect on September 1, 2009. These new requirements supersede the graduation requirements in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 74:

Recommended High School Program and Distinguished Achievement Program

• For the Recommended High School Program and Distinguished Achievement Program, the total number of credits required for graduation and the requirement of 4 credits in the 4 foundation areas of mathematics, English language arts, science, and social studies/economics did not change.

• HB 3 changes include more flexibility in the enrichment areas of the Recommended High School Program by increasing the number of elective credits to 6, requiring 1 credit of physical education, 2 credits of a language other than English, and 1 credit of fine arts.

• HB 3 changes include more flexibility in the enrichment areas in the Distinguished Achievement Program by increasing the number of elective credits to 5, requiring 1 credit of physical education, 3 credits of language other than English, and 1 credit of fine arts.

Minimum High School Program

• Permission to graduate under the minimum high school program must be agreed to in writing and signed by the student, student’s parent (or other person standing in parental relation to the student), and a school counselor or school administrator.

• Under HB 3, to graduate under the minimum high school program, students must: be at least 16 years of age; have completed 2 credits required for graduation in each subject of the foundation curriculum; or have failed to be promoted to the 10th grade one or more times as determined by the school district.

• Students already in the minimum high school program do not have to meet the HB 3 requirements to enter the program, but must be given the choice of opting back into the recommended high school program.

In summary House Bill 3 allows students more electives by eliminating health, technology applications, ½ credit of physical education, and possibly speech as required courses. Bandera ISD encourages students to continue with their pre-enrollment schedules for the 2009-10 school year due to the late notice of the graduation plan changes. Courses no longer required by the state may be requirements for college or post-secondary program entry so please check college/post-secondary entry requirements. Bandera High School counselors will be available to answer any questions after August 4^th. A FAQ sheet from the Texas Education Agency as well as a side-by-side graduation requirement comparison is available for viewing in the Family Center of the Bandera ISD web site.

Attachments:

HB3 Graduation Requirements FAQ 1

HB3 Graduation Credit Requirements 2009-2010

HB3 Side by Side Comparison