September 2015 Committee of the Full Board Item 3
Approval of Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency Exam Request for Proposals
September 11, 2015
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the committee to review and approve the Texas
Certificate of High School Equivalency Request for Proposals (RFP) document.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Statutory authority for this action is the Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.111, which requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to adopt rules to develop and deliver high school equivalency examinations and provide for the administration of the examinations online.
BOARD RESPONSE: This item is presented for review and comment.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The SBOE adopted 19 TAC Chapter 89, Adaptations for Special Populations, Subchapter C, Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency, to be effective September 1, 1996. Rules in 19 TAC Subchapter C, were last amended to be effective December 11, 2011 and October 10, 2013.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: In November 2011, the committee discussed proposed modifications to the current program. The board asked Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff to produce a Request for Information (RFI) to identify available options for the operation of the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency and report to the board the results of the RFI. At the November 2012 meeting, TEA staff presented the results of the RFI and provided information regarding the potential development of a new Texas High School Equivalency Examination. The committee requested that TEA continue the relationship with the GEDTS and not issue a RFP for a Texas High School Equivalency Examination.
At the September 2013 meeting, the board approved for second reading and final adoption, proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 89, Adaptations for Special Populations, Subchapter C, Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency, to update the rules including the expansion of eligible entities that may apply to become testing centers and the change in the fee structure.
In November 2013, the committee requested that TEA begin drafting an RFP to solicit proposals for a provider for the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency (TxCHSE) examination.
Beginning January 2014, all tests administered as part of the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency with the exception of tests provided by correctional institutions, transitioned from paper-based tests to computer-based tests.
On January 5, 2015, TEA released a competitive RFP. Responses were due to TEA on February 17, 2015. At the April 2015 meeting, TEA staff presented the results of the RFP. The SBOE requested that TEA extend the existing provider’s MOU for six months beyond the expiration date and begin the development of a new RFP to potentially identify multiple test providers.
At the July 2015 meeting, the committee held a public hearing regarding issuance of a new RFP and the committee discussed the requirements that should be included in a future RFP. The committee approved a decision matrix and requested that the RFP reflect decisions that were included in the decision matrix.
FISCAL IMPACT: Selection of multiple test providers may result in a need for the agency to increase the administrative fee that is charged to test takers as a condition to the issuance of a high school equivalency certificate.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Individuals will have access to an appropriate examination aligned to Texas standards in order to be able to earn a Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: None.
LOCALLY MAINTAINED PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: None.
Staff Members Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs
Stacy Avery, Director, Texas Initiatives
Federal and State Education Policy
Attachment:
Statutory Citations (PDF, 19KB)
Separate Exhibit:
Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency Request for Proposals (RFP)
(to be distributed at the board meeting)