November 2016 Committee of the Full Board Wednesday Item 7
Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency
November 18, 2016
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for staff to present an update on the transition of the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency to multiple test providers and for the board to make any necessary decisions regarding implementation.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.111.
TEC, §7.111, 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.
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. In January 2016, the SBOE approved three vendors as test providers for the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency. In September 2016, the board took action to give the chair authority to sign contracts, allow the current contract to end on October 7, 2016, and enter into new contracts with vendors on October 8, 2016, or when each vendor is ready to provide services and staff and the board chair are confident the vendor can execute the terms of the Request for Proposals.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: In January 2015, TEA released a competitive RFP. At the April 2015 SBOE meeting, TEA staff presented the results of the RFP. The SBOE requested that TEA extend the existing provider’s Memorandum of Understanding 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. Additionally, at the July 2015 meeting, the board approved a decision matrix of requirements to be included in a future RFP. During the September 2015 meeting, the board approved the competitive RFP to be released in fall 2015. On October 6, 2015, the TEA released a competitive RFP. Responses were due to TEA on November 17, 2015.
On January 29, 2016, the board voted to award contracts to three separate companies to provide high school equivalency assessments in Texas. The three companies are Data Recognition Corporation, Educational Testing Service, and GED Testing Service.
At the September 2016 meeting, TEA staff updated the board on the progress the agency has made with the multiple test providers. In September 2016, the board took action to give the chair authority to sign contracts, allow the current contract to end on October 7, 2016, and enter into new contracts with vendors on October 8, 2016, or when each vendor is ready to provide services and staff and the board chair are confident the vendor can execute the terms of the Request for Proposals.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Individuals will have access to an appropriate examination(s) 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: Proposed amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 89, Adaptations for Special Populations, Subchapter C, Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency, is presented for second reading and final adoption as a separate item in this agenda.
Staff Members Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner
Standards and Support Services
Stacy Avery, Director of High School Programs
College, Career and Military Preparation
Attachment:
Statutory Citations (PDF, 33KB)