January-February 2023 Committee on Instruction Item 4
Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.5, Academic Achievement Record (Transcript)
(First Reading and Filing Authorization)
February 3, 2023
COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: This item presents for first reading and filing authorization a proposed amendment to
19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.5, Academic Achievement Record (Transcript). The proposed amendment would add a new requirement that a student who earns a diploma by satisfying the requirements of the Texas First Early High School Completion Program must have successful completion of the program indicated on the academic achievement record, or transcript.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(c)(13).
TEC, §7.102(c)(13), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to adopt transcript forms and standards for differentiating high school performance for purposes of reporting academic achievement under TEC, §28.025.
The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The proposed effective date of the proposed amendment is 20 days after filing as adopted with the Texas Register. Under TEC, §7.102(f), the SBOE must approve the rule action at second reading and final adoption by a vote of two-thirds of its members to specify an effective date earlier than the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. The earlier effective date will allow districts to indicate successful completion of the Texas First Early High School Completion Program for students who meet the requirements during the current school year.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The SBOE adopted §74.5 effective June 18, 2014, to align with legislation passed by the 83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2013. In April 2016, the SBOE gave final approval to a proposed amendment to §74.5 to align with legislation passed by the 84th Texas Legislature, 2015. In April 2018, the SBOE gave final approval to a proposed amendment to §74.5 to align with legislation passed by the 83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, and 85th Texas Legislature, 2017. In April 2021, the SBOE gave final approval to a proposed amendment to §74.5 to align with legislation passed by the 86th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2019.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: The 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, passed Senate Bill (SB) 1888, adding new TEC, §28.0253, to establish the Texas First Early High School Completion Program. The Texas Education Agency, in coordination with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, is required to establish the program to allow public high school students who demonstrate early readiness for college to graduate early from high school. A student is entitled to early high school graduation under the Texas First Early High School Completion Program if the student meets the criteria established by rule by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Additionally, students who graduate under the program are considered to have earned the distinguished level of achievement and are eligible to receive a scholarship at participating institutions of higher education. The proposed amendment would require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to indicate on a student's transcript completion of the Texas First Early High School Completion Program.
The proposed amendment was not presented as a discussion item. The SBOE, however, may wish to consider this item for first reading and filing authorization as authorized under its operating procedures. Therefore, this item is presented for first reading and filing authorization consideration at this meeting. It is recommended that the SBOE consider this item for first reading and filing authorization to ensure that districts indicate on a student's transcript completion of the program for students who satisfy the requirements during the current school year.
FISCAL IMPACT: TEA has determined that there are no additional costs to state government.
There may be costs to school districts and charter schools associated with required updates to local student information systems in order to implement the requirements of statute. These may include the need for professional development and amendments to district-developed databases. Since the design and format of and data collection for the academic achievement record (high school transcript) are made at the local district level, it is difficult to estimate the fiscal impact on any given district.
LOCAL EMPLOYMENT IMPACT: The proposal has no effect on local economy; therefore, no local employment impact statement is required under Texas Government Code, §2001.022.
SMALL BUSINESS, MICROBUSINESS, AND RURAL COMMUNITY IMPACT: The proposal has no direct adverse economic impact for small businesses, microbusinesses, or rural communities; therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis specified in Texas Government Code, §2006.002, is required.
COST INCREASE TO REGULATED PERSONS: The proposal does not impose a cost on regulated persons, another state agency, a special district, or a local government and, therefore, is not subject to Texas Government Code, §2001.0045.
TAKINGS IMPACT ASSESSMENT: The proposal does not impose a burden on private real property and, therefore, does not constitute a taking under Texas Government Code, §2007.043.
GOVERNMENT GROWTH IMPACT: TEA staff prepared a Government Growth Impact Statement assessment for this proposed rulemaking. During the first five years the proposed rulemaking would be in effect, it would expand an existing regulation by requiring school districts and charter schools to report a student's early high school graduation via the Texas First Early High School Graduation Program on the academic achievement record.
The proposed rulemaking would not create or eliminate a government program; would not require the creation of new employee positions or elimination of existing employee positions; would not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; would not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; would not create a new regulation; would not limit or repeal an existing regulation; would not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to its applicability; and would not positively or adversely affect the state's economy.
PUBLIC BENEFIT AND COST TO PERSONS: The proposal would improve documentation of requirements on the academic achievement record and the ability to more effectively transmit that information between school districts and institutions of higher education. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposal.
DATA AND REPORTING IMPACT: The proposal would have no data or reporting impact.
PRINCIPAL AND CLASSROOM TEACHER PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: TEA has determined that the proposal would not require a written report or other paperwork to be completed by a principal or classroom teacher.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: The public comment period on the proposal begins March 3, 2023, and ends April 7, 2023. The SBOE will take registered oral and written comments on the proposal at the appropriate committee meeting in January-February 2023 in accordance with the SBOE board operating policies and procedures. A request for a public hearing on the proposal submitted under the Administrative Procedure Act must be received by the commissioner of education not more than 14 calendar days after notice of the proposal has been published in the Texas Register on March 3, 2023.
MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:
Suspend the board operating procedures in accordance with §5.2(a) to allow consideration at first reading and filing authorization; and
Approve for first reading and filing authorization the proposed amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.5, Academic Achievement Record (Transcript).
Staff Members Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner, Standards and Programs
Shelly Ramos, Senior Director, Curriculum Standards and Student Support
Attachment:
Text of Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.5, Academic Achievement Record (Transcript)