Sec. 28.0253. PILOT PROGRAM: HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS FOR STUDENTS WHO DEMONSTRATE EARLY READINESS FOR COLLEGE. (a) In this section:

(1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.

(2) "Research university" means an institution of higher education that is designated as a research university under the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's accountability system.

(b) A research university that chooses to participate in the pilot program shall:

(1) not later than September 1 of each year, make available on the university's Internet website detailed standards for use in the program regarding:

(A) the specific competencies that demonstrate a student's mastery of each subject area for which the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the commissioner have adopted college readiness standards;

(B) the specific competencies that demonstrate a student's mastery of a language other than English; and

(C) acceptable assessments or other means by which a student may demonstrate the student's early readiness for college with respect to each subject area and the language described by this subdivision, subject to Subsection (c);

(2) partner with at least 10 school districts that reflect the geographic diversity of this state and the student compositions of which reflect the socioeconomic diversity of this state; and

(3) assist school administrators, school counselors, and other educators in each of those school districts in designing the specific requirements of and implementing the program in the district.

(c) The assessments or other means filed by a research university under Subsection (b)(1)(C) must be equivalent to the assessments or other means the university uses to place students at the university in courses that may be credited toward a degree requirement.

(d) A research university that partners with a school district under this section shall enter into an agreement with the district under which the university and district agree that the district will assess a student's mastery of the subject areas described by Subsection (b)(1) and a language other than English in accordance with the standards the university filed under Subsection (b)(1). The district may issue a high school diploma to a student under the program if, using the standards, the student demonstrates mastery of and early readiness for college in each of those subject areas and in a language other than English, notwithstanding any other local or state requirements.

(e) A student who receives a high school diploma through the pilot program is considered to have earned a distinguished level of achievement under the foundation high school program adopted under Section 28.025. 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.

(f) A research university that participates in the pilot program shall enter into an agreement with an education research center established under Section 1.005 to conduct an evaluation of the program with respect to that university and the school districts with which the university partners. Not later than January 1, 2013, the education research center shall provide a written report of the evaluation to the commissioner and the commissioner of higher education and make the report available on the center's Internet website. The report may include an analysis of the effects of the program on the university's admissions review process.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 895 (H.B. 3), Sec. 32, eff. June 19, 2009.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 211 (H.B. 5), Sec. 17(a), eff. June 10, 2013.