TEC 33.002

SB 232 

Required Notification Regarding Algebra II

The 86th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, passed SB 232 requiring school districts, not later than September 1 of each school year, to notify by regular mail or e-mail the parents or guardians of each student enrolled in grade nine or above that state graduation requirements do not require a student to complete an Algebra II course to graduate under the Foundation High School Program. The notification must explain that if a student does not complete an Algebra II course, a student will not be eligible for—

• automatic college admission or

• certain financial aid including:

  • the TEXAS grant program under Subchapter M, Chapter 56; and

  • the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program under Subchapter P, Chapter 56.

This notification requirement applies beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.

Visit the TEA Graduation Information webpage for sample language that may be used when providing notification.

Must be indicated on AAR for 2018-19

The Completion of:

• The speech requirement

• Required instruction in CPR if completed in 9-12, and

• Required instruction on proper interaction with peace officers TAC Chapter 74.39

Q:  Can a student be awarded a half credit for a full credit course?

A:  TAC 74.26 (d)  In accordance with local district policy, students who are able to successfully complete only one semester of a two-semester course can be awarded credit proportionately. 

Rules can be found at TAC 74.26

FAQ

Q:  Are high schools required to offer a college prep course? 

A: Under Section 28.014 of the Texas Education Code, each school district is required to partner with at least one institution of higher education to develop and provide college preparatory courses in English language arts and mathematics. However, each high school within the school district is not required to offer these courses. 

Q:  Why is College English Prep (TSI course for 4th level credit) listed on TEA but College Prep Math is not listed? This is worrying us!  But when we read FAQ's the college prep math is listed as one that can be taken for 4th level credit.

A: TAC - §74.13. e(4) (4)  The fourth mathematics credit may be a college preparatory mathematics course that is developed and offered pursuant to the TEC, §28.014.  

Q: Must the college preparatory mathematics course be a full-credit course? 

A: Yes. In accordance with TAC, §74.13(e)(4), the college preparatory mathematics course must be a full credit course. However, in accordance with TAC, §74.26, in accordance with local district policy, students who are able to successfully complete only one semester of a two-semester course can be awarded credit proportionately. Consequently, a student may be awarded a half credit for successful completion of half of the college preparatory mathematics course. This half credit, when paired with another half credit from the list of allowable advanced 4th year mathematics courses, may satisfy the advanced mathematics requirement for students pursuing an endorsement. 

Per further instruction from TEA: A student can combine either the Semester A or B content  as the second half of the course.  For example, if a student has had Algebra 2 they could take Statistics (A or B) or Independent Study (A or B) second semester to fulfill the 4th year math.  If a student has not had Algebra 2, they could take Algebra 2 A to fulfill the credit.  

SB 1374, 86th Legislature allows a student to enroll concurrently in Algebra I and Geometry,  effective 2019-2020. 

SB 826  gets rid of mandated high school sequencing of completion of English I-III and Algebra I and geometry before taking advanced English or math courses. (Note: This bill has immediate effect.) 

The law read that Eng 1-3 had to be completed PRIOR to Eng 4 and that Alg 1 and Geometry had to be completed PRIOR to advanced math courses.  This new bill eliminates that requirement.  The situation it most affects is...Eng 4 can now be taken concurrently with other English classes.  AND Algebra 2 can be taken concurrently with Geometry.  Always check prerequisites on courses though.  Many math classes have Algebra 1 or 2 as a prerequisite.  

Rules can be found at TAC 74.24

CTE Resources

Courses Counting for Graduation Requirements

• Mathematics: Accounting II; Applied Mathematics for Technical Professionals; Digital Electronics; Engineering Mathematics; Financial Mathematics; Mathematical Applications in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources; Mathematics for Medical Professionals; Manufacturing Engineering Technology II; Statistics and Business Decision Making; and Robotics II

• Science: Advanced Animal Science, Advanced Plant and Soil Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Biotechnology I, Biotechnology II, Engineering Design and Problem Solving, Engineering Science, Food Science, Forensic Science, Medical Microbiology, Pathophysiology, Principles of Technology, and Scientific Research and Design

• English Language Arts: Business English

• Fine Arts: Floral Design

For those of you looking at CTE options for your 3rd and 4th science and math credits (ex. Engineering Math, Accounting 2, Advanced Animal Science) you must look at the prerequisites for those courses in the CTE TEKS, found on this TEA link. I have a district that wanted to use Engineering Math as a 4th credit option instead of Algebra 2.  That is not an option because in the TEKS it states that Algebra 2 is a prereq for Engineering Math.  The only 4th year math credit options that do not require Algebra 2 are Algebraic Reasoning and Statistics. There are not any 4th credit CTE courses that do not require Algebra 2 first. All that to say....check the prereqs when scheduling students or determining which classes to offer.  

1. Dual credit counts in GPA? yes/no 
2. If your student takes a college level US History, are you counting it for true dual credit for junior year US HIstory?
3. If not, what PEIMS course/code are you using for the US History course? Does it count for elective or Social Studies course? Does it count in GPA?

 Abilene ISD:

1. No, currently does not count
2. Yes
3. Does not count in GPA – considered dual credit US History

 Albany ISD:

• Our class rank is based on only core classes.   We include dual credit core classes for that.  GPA is all classes, including all dual credit classes.  We use the US History PEIMS code for our dual credit US History.  

Districts can offer either English I or ESOL I and English II or ESOL II to English Language Learners (ELL) who are either Beginning or Intermediate level of English Language Proficiency.  Even though the English and ESOL courses have different Service ID numbers keep in mind the following information:

• ESOL I  takes the place of English I and ESOL II takes the place of English II.
• English I and ESOL I cover the same Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), and English II and ESOL II cover the same Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). 
• ESOL I and ESOL II must be taught by an ESL certified teacher. 

The district may only give one state credit for English I or ESOL I and another credit for English II or ESOL II.  A local credit may not be provided.  Local credit is not an option since state credit has already been earned for the course.  A student cannot earn state and local credit. 

For example:  During the 2016-2017 school year “Student A” is enrolled in English I and ESOL I. “Student A” can only receive one state credit for either English I or ESOL I, since both of these courses are equivalent to each other.  Therefore, “Student A” could receive one credit for ESOL I; but would receive no credit (state or local) for the English I course. Students receive no benefit toward meeting Foundation or Endorsement requirements when attending classes that are duplicated.

 §74.12. Foundation High School Program.

(a) Credits. A student must earn at least 22 credits to complete the Foundation High School Program.

(b) Core courses. A student must demonstrate proficiency in the following.

(1) English language arts--four credits. Three of the credits must consist of English I, II, and III. (Students with limited English proficiency who are at the beginning or intermediate level of English language proficiency, as defined by §74.4(d) of this title (relating to English Language Proficiency Standards), may satisfy the English I and English II graduation requirements by successfully completing English I for Speakers of Other Languages and English II for Speakers of Other Languages.)

Endorsement FAQs--March 2014  

Q: Under the Business and Industry, under D, it says (D)  a coherent sequence of four credits from subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of this paragraph.

This does not mention an advanced course or a specific subchapter.  So does this mean we can create an individual coherent sequence for students using any of the courses listed above without an advanced course?

A: A student has the flexibility to create a coherent sequence of courses from the course offerings in A, B, or C.  Remember that the coherent sequences of course may not meet the Federal Requirements of a coherent sequence for Perkins which can allow a student to be coded as a 2 (coherent sequence taker).  Saying all of this someone will need to check each student individually in Skyward/TXEIS to make sure the right CTE boxes are turned on or off. 

Endorsement Opt-Out Agreement 

Endorsement Opt-Out Agreement_SPANISH 

HB 5 TEA PowerPoint

Curriculum Requirements  Chapter 74, Subchapter B

Resources: 

• TEA Graduation Toolkit

• Texas OnCourse

• HB 5 Resource Binder

TEA's Frequently Asked Questions Here

Q:  Can  8th grade students take a HS Art class and  receive HS credit AND fulfill the JH fine arts requirement?

A: There is nothing in law that prevents it.  A HS course can be taken in 8th grade for HS credit and will also fulfill the JH Fine Arts requirement. 

Health Education Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are there state guidelines for  home school students needing to make up grades for non-credit classes? 

A: We have the Commissioner's Letter to School Systems  and Parents of Home Schooled Children as guidelines. The specific TAC laws are addressed in the letters.  

More state directives are provided on the Texas Home School Coalition Government Agency Directives webpage.

First enacted with SB 149 (2015), Individual Graduation Committees (IGC) allow student the option to graduate even though they've not passed all of their EOC exams. A student who has failed the EOC assessment graduation requirements for no more than two, out of the number they must take, may receive a Texas high school diploma if the student has qualified to graduate by means of an individual graduation committee (IGC) determination. (Source: TEA State Graduation Requirement page) 

UPDATE: On May 7, 2019 the legislature passed to extend IGCs to September 1, 2023 with SB 213   

There are a variety of ways districts are having students show mastery. One district made the student do a portfolio to show mastery and the other did a PowerPoint on the subject area of the EOC.  TEA did say that the student must be given the opportunity to test in the Spring but it is not a requirement. 

Region 12 ESC Individual Graduation Committees (IGC)

Q:  Are graduating juniors eligible for an IGC?

A:  Students cannot use IGCs to graduate "early".  The district has to have a process in place to change the student's status to seniors in order to move forward with finalizing the IGC process.  The IGC cannot be used as an "opt out" for assessment.  The law says that a student is given the opportunity to test. 

Q:  I have a high school student that is special ed so I need to substitute his 2 credits of foreign language with something else. Can I use his world history credit for one and one of his CTE credits for another? Or does it have to be 2 credits of core classes or 2 credits of CTE? He is on the foundation plan.

A:  

Q: Does this mean if we put our bilingual students in Spanish II and they pass, that we can award them 2 credits (Spanish I and II) even if they never attempted Spanish I?

Award of Credit for LOTE courses

A student must be awarded credit if a student has successfully demonstrated achievement by demonstrating proficiency in the TEKS of a course. In accordance with local district policy, students who are able to successfully complete only one semester of a two-semester course can be awarded credit proportionately. See TAC §74.26(d).

Because the LOTE TEKS are based on proficiency levels of the language, districts may also award credit for lower level course(s) to a student who is able to successfully complete the second or higher level LOTE course. Districts must verify that the student has demonstrated language proficiency of both level courses.

The rules concerning the award of credit can be found in TAC §74.26.

A:  The answer to the question is: yes. This is unique to LOTE courses because the skills are exactly the same but the rigor increases from level to level. If the student can demonstrate mastery/language proficiency at Level II, then it would be assumed that the student would also demonstrate proficiency at the lower level course because that knowledge and skill is subsumed into the Level II course.

Q:  I have a student who barely passed Spanish I and we do not feel will be able to pass Spanish 2.  What are the options?

A: GENERAL ED: If a student, in completing the first credit of LOTE, demonstrates that the student is unlikely to be able to complete the second credit, the student may substitute another appropriate course as follows:

(i)  Special Topics in Language and Culture;

(ii)  World History Studies or World Geography Studies for a student who is not required to complete both by the local district;

(iii)  another credit selected from Chapter 114 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Languages Other Than English); or

(iv)  computer programming languages.

(C)  The determination regarding a student's ability to complete the second credit of LOTE must be agreed to by:

(i)  the teacher of the first LOTE credit course or another LOTE teacher designated by the school district, the principal or designee, and the student's parent or person standing in parental relation;

(ii)  the student's admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee if the student receives special education services under the TEC, Chapter 29, Subchapter A; or

(iii)  the committee established for the student under Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 United States Code, Section 794) if the student does not receive special education services under the TEC, Chapter 29, Subchapter A, but is covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

(D)  A student, who due to a disability, is unable to complete two credits in the same language in a language other than English, may substitute a combination of two credits from English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies or two credits in career and technical education or technology applications for the LOTE credit requirements. The determination regarding a student's ability to complete the LOTE credit requirements will be made by:

(i)  the student's ARD committee if the student receives special education services under the TEC, Chapter 29, Subchapter A; or

(ii)  the committee established for the student under Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 United States Code (USC), §794) if the student does not receive special education services under the TEC, Chapter 29, Subchapter A, but is covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Texas Genuine

Texas Career Check

Q: Wondering how other schools that do Algebra at 8th grade offer math to the 6th and 7th graders? Can 8th graders take both STAAR test and Alg. 1 EOC?  PRO/CON on this if option? Also wondering how schools handle unsuccessful students taking ALG 1 as an 8th grader?  Retake the course?

Consultant Response: 

• Students should only take the Algebra 1 EOC...Since that is the course they are completing in grade 8 (Grade 8 math is a prerequisite for Algebra1 and must be completed before enroling in Algebra 1.)

• A letter from the commissioner on 11-10-14 advised districts not to double-test students.

• The 2017 Accountability manual articulates that only the EOC score is used in accountability measures, therefore, there is not a need to double-test students. (We have not seen 2018 measures yet.) See third bullet.

District Responses:

• We currently offer for select kids:  in 6th grade - take all 6th TEKS & 1/2 7th TEKS & these kids take 6th STAAR test. in 7th grade - take 1/2 7th TEKS & all 8th TEKS & these kids take 8th grade STAAR test. in 8th grade - take Alg. 1 TEKS and STAAR EOC test

• We do not offer Alg. I below 8th grade. The 8th graders that take Alg. I must also take 8th grade math. If a student really struggles in Algebra I as an 8th grader, the teacher can request that the student retake Algebra I as a freshman. For an 8th grade student to be considered for Alg. I, they must be recommended by the math teacher at the end of 7th grade. All of our students take Algebra II. We are a small school and we offer a limited number of math courses. 

• We do not offer Alg. I below 8th grade. The 8th graders that take Alg. I must also take 8th grade math. If a student really struggles in Algebra I as an 8th grader, the teacher can request that the student retake Algebra I as a freshman. For an 8th grade student to be considered for Alg. I, they must be recommended by the math teacher at the end of 7th grade. All of our students take Algebra II. We are a small school and we offer a limited number of math courses. 

• Our 6th graders do what you mentioned below in our pre-AP Math. Our 7th graders take pre-ap math that covers both 7th and 8th grade TEKS. However, they still take 7th GR STAAR. Two years ago they took 8th grade STAAR, but now take 7th STAAR. If a student fails Algebra 1 but passes EOC, it’s up to them if they want to retake course in 9th grade. If they fail EOC and fail the course, or pass course but fail EOC—they retake ALG 1 in 9th grade. 

• Students must take Algebra 2 in order to earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement. Our junior high students who take Algebra 1 take 7th and 8th grade math during the same year and take the STAAR for both.They take Algebra 1 their 8th grade year. 

• In 6th grade, we offer an Advance Math Course separate from regular 6th grade Math to include all 6th TEKS & they take the 6th grade STAAR.  In 7th grade, we offer an Advance Math Course separate from regular 7th grade Math to include all 7th TEKS & they take the 7th grade STAAR.  In 8th grade, we offer an Algebra I Math Course with High School credit to include all Algebra I TEKS and reteach 6th-8th TEKS & they take the Algebra I EOC (This seems a bit much for the Algebra I teacher?)  I was told that next year, (not sure what the final decision will be) we will offer these Middle School courses: In 6th grade, the Advance Math Course will be an Elective course to include all 7th TEKS, not sure which STAAR they will take.  In 7th grade, the Advance Math Course will be an Elective course to include all 8th TEKS, not sure which STAAR they will take. In 8th grade, the Algebra I Course will include all Algebra I TEKS & they will take the Algebra I EOC. 

Q:  Our math department has offered an advanced plan and a regular plan.  The regular plan has been Algebra I, Geometry, Math Models, and Algebra II.  They want to do away with Math Models, move Algebra II to the junior year, and pick another course to offer senior year.  My question is, for those students who are unsuccessful or struggle in Algebra II, can they go "backwards" and take Math Models their senior year? 

A:  Yes.  Students are able to take Math Models after Algebra 2.  The sequence does not matter since there are no prerequisite issues. 

Q: What is is the required MS curriculum?

A:  §74.3. Description of a Required Secondary Curriculum.

(a)  Middle Grades 6-8.

(1)  A school district that offers Grades 6-8 must provide instruction in the required curriculum as specified in §74.1 of this title (relating to Essential Knowledge and Skills). The district must ensure that sufficient time is provided for teachers to teach and for students to learn English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, at least one of the four disciplines in fine arts (art, dance, music, theatre), health, physical education, technology applications, and to the extent possible, languages other than English. The school district may provide instruction in a variety of arrangements and settings, including mixed-age programs designed to permit flexible learning arrangements for developmentally appropriate instruction for all student populations to support student attainment of course and grade level standards.

(2)  The school district must ensure that, beginning with students who enter Grade 6 in the 2010-2011 school year, each student completes one Texas essential knowledge and skills-based fine arts course in Grade 6, Grade 7, or Grade 8.

(3)  A district shall offer and maintain evidence that students have the opportunity to take courses in at least three of the four disciplines in fine arts. The requirement to offer three of the four disciplines in fine arts may be reduced to two by the commissioner of education upon application of a school district with a total middle school enrollment of less than 250 students.

When referring to instruction in the required curriculum, the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.2(a) and TAC §74.3(a)(1) and (b)(1) state that the district must ensure that sufficient time is provided for teachers to teach and for students to learn the subjects in the required curriculum.

 In addition, physical education also has moderate to vigorous physical activity requirements for elementary school and middle school students. The Texas Education Code (TEC) ) §28.002(l)states that a school district shall require a student enrolled in full-day prekindergarten, kindergarten, or a grade level below grade six to participate in moderate or vigorous daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes throughout the school year as part of the district's physical education curriculum or through structured activity during a school campus's daily recess.  

 If a school district determines, for any particular grade level below grade six, that requiring moderate or vigorous daily physical activity is impractical due to scheduling concerns or other factors, the district may as an alternative require a student in that grade level to participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 135 minutes during each school week.

 The law further states that a school district shall require students enrolled in grade levels six, seven, and eight to participate in moderate or vigorous daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes for at least four semesters during those grade levels as part of the district's physical education curriculum. Additionally, a school district may as an alternative require a student enrolled in a grade level for which the district uses block scheduling to participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 225 minutes during each period of two school weeks.

Livebinder Resources

The changes require local educational agencies (LEAs) to provide parents with notice whenever their child begins to receive intervention strategies. The notice must contain specific requirements. TEA has created a template that LEAs can use that meets the statutory requirements. The notice is available in English (download) and in Spanish (download).

TEA has also developed a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) document to assist LEAs and parents in understanding the requirements of SB 1153.  Access the TEA SB 1153 FAQs in English and TEA SB 1153 FAQs in Spanish.

Access the SBOE rules regarding FHSP.

See §74.12. Foundation High School Program and 74.13 Endorsements

Q:  We are looking at offering an AP Biology class that will also count as a Dual Credit class through our local college as Biology credit. We had been told that the students were required to take Physics before they take AP/ Dual Credit Biology. We have looked at 19 TAC Chapter 74 and TEC § 28.025 (b-5). We are in need of guidance on how we need to proceed, because if you read 19 TAC Chapter 74 (xx) it states (xx)  pursuant to the TEC, §28.025(b-5), after the successful completion of physics, a science course endorsed by an institution of higher education as a course for which the institution would award course credit or as a prerequisite for a course for which the institution would award course credit. The TEA shall maintain a current list of courses offered under this clause;, However, from my understanding  after our conversation, I think the confusion comes from the misunderstanding of what constitutes an IHE endorsed course.

A: TEA - Students may only receive credit for a course one time. In the instance noted below, students may take a regular biology course, using the appropriate PEIMS number, and may later take an AP Biology course, using the appropriate PEIMS number which is different from the Biology PEIMS number, however they will not both count as the required biology credit for graduation purposes. For example, a student on the Foundation High School Program who takes both Biology and AP Biology may count the regular Biology as the required biology credit and then may choose to count the AP Biology as the 2nd or the 3rd science credit required for graduation. This is allowable since the content for the Biology and AP Biology course are different.

 As we discussed, dual credit courses and the institution of higher education (IHE) endorsed course referenced in TAC §74.12 (b)(3)(B)(xx) are different. A dual credit course is one that has been identified through collaboration between the school district and an IHE as such and is included in the required memorandum of understanding (also called an articulation agreement) that has been approved by the boards of both institutions. Dual credit courses carry with them only the prerequisites required by rule which can be found in the general requirements section of each TEKS-based course. Your district may choose to require the successful completion of other courses before allowing students to enroll in dual credit courses, but that is a local decision that should be outlined in your district board policy. In this case, Physics is not a required prerequisite for AP Biology. The recommended (not required) prerequisites for AP Biology are Biology and Chemistry.

 An IHE endorsed course is one that requires the district to partner with a public or private IHE and local business, labor, and community leaders to develop and provide the course(s). These courses must be approved by the local board of trustees and reported to the TEA. For the IHE endorsed course, successful completion of Physics is required prior to a student enrolling in the course. For more information on IHE endorsed courses and the required application, please contact Jessica Snyder, Director of Special Projects, at (512) 463-9581.

Q: Do you know if a student who has had Physics can take Principles of Technology as another science? I was just told by a teacher that students can not take both.  

A:  It's my understanding that they can only get science credit for one or the other. See 19 TAC 74.12(b)3(C) which states that for the Foundation High School Program:Credit may not be earned for both physics and Principles of Technology to satisfy science credit requirements.T he same is true for Endorsements (see 19 TAC 74.12(e)5(X)) 

Q: Where can I find these two additional science courses?  (D)  four credits in science by successfully completing chemistry, physics, and two additional science courses by selecting courses from subsection (e)(5) of this section;

A:  Subsection e(5)  describes the additional "advance science course" needed to meet the foundation plan.

(A)  Chemistry;

(B)  Physics;

(C)  Aquatic Science;

(D)  Astronomy;

(E)  Earth and Space Science;

(F)  Environmental Systems;

(G)  an AP or IB science course in accordance with §74.11(h) of this title;

(H)  Advanced Animal Science;

(I)  Advanced Plant and Soil Science;

(J)  Anatomy and Physiology;

(K)  Medical Microbiology;

(L)  Pathophysiology;

(M)  Food Science;

(N)  Forensic Science;

(O)  Advanced Biotechnology;

(P)  Principles of Technology;

(Q)  Scientific Research and Design;

(R)  Engineering Design and Problem Solving;

(S)  Principles of Engineering;

(T)  pursuant to the TEC, §28.025(b-5), after the successful completion of physics, a science course endorsed by an institution of higher education as a course for which the institution would award course credit or as a prerequisite for a course for which the institution would award course credit. The TEA shall maintain a current list of courses offered under this subparagraph;

(U)  a locally developed science course or other activity, including an apprenticeship or training hours needed to obtain an industry-recognized credential or certificate that is developed pursuant to the TEC, §28.002(g-1);

(V)  pursuant to the TEC, §28.025(c-3), a student pursuing an arts and humanities endorsement who has the written permission of the student's parent or a person standing in parental relation to the student may substitute a course that is not being used to satisfy another specific graduation requirement selected from:

(i)  Chapter 110 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading);

(ii)  Chapter 113 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies) or Chapter 118 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits);

(iii)  Chapter 114 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Languages Other Than English); or

(iv)  Chapter 117 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Fine Arts); and

(W)  credit may not be earned for both physics and Principles of Technology to satisfy science credit requirements.

Q: Can a student take Biology and get credit for it and then come back and take AP Biology and get a credit for it too?  Same with all AP courses?

A:  Yes.  Students can take a regular course for credit and then take the AP version of that course as an advanced course.  However, if the AP course is subbed for the regular course itself, it can’t also count as an advanced course.  They are different PEIMS codes, so can count. 

Q:  Are four or five credits required for Science STEM endorsement? 

A: The confusion comes in that the student would actually take 5 sciences, but Biology is considered part of the foundation plan and isn't considered as part of the endorsement classes.  The student would need Biology plus four more sciences, 

(1)  Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). A student may earn a STEM endorsement by completing the requirements specified in subsection (e) of this section, including Algebra II, chemistry, and physics or Principles of Technology and:...

(D)  four credits in science by successfully completing chemistry, physics, and two additional science courses by selecting courses from subsection (e)(5) of this section; 

Q: How long do I have to keep student records?

A:  Local Schedule SD, Retention Schedule for Records of Public School Districts

Q:  We have a new senior moving here from out of state. She does not have any foreign language. Do you have any ideas on what our options are?  Is there anyway to graduate her with just one year since she is unable to complete year 2?  Or does that exception apply only to students who cannot academically complete the second year? 

A:  I checked with Kelsey Kling at TEA and she said that there is not an exemption for students moving in from out of state.  Students are required to have the two years.  You will need to consider some type of accelerated instruction to get her to complete both credits in one year.  She could take year 1 during the first semester, followed by year 2 the second semester.  If she isn't up for that, she may have to complete next summer.  TXVSN sometimes has accelerated blocks that could help you out if you can't do it in-house.  

Q:  I have a student who was retained in 7th grade and has done coursework over the summer covering 8th grade so will be promoted to 9th grade, thereby skipping 8th grade.  Are there STAAR implications since this is an SSI year?

A:  (Julie Guthrie, TEA guidance) There are no STAAR implications in this instance.  Wherever the student is enrolled, is the STAAR assessment that will be taken.  If the student enrolls as a 9th grader, they are not required to have ever taken the 8th grade STAAR.  It is a curriculum decision, not an assessment decision, whether or not 9th grade is the best placement.  The test follows grade placement.  

Opting out of Standardized Testing

Q:  Do out of state and home school students who have been awarded credit for an EOC course have to go back and take the corresponding EOC? 

A: House Bill 2349 also revised the state’s assessment requirements that students must meet to be eligible to receive a Texas diploma. Effective with the 2015–2016 school year, a student who earned high school credit for a course for which there is an EOC assessment prior to enrollment in a Texas public school and the credit has been accepted by a Texas public school or who had completed a course for high school credit in a course for which there is an EOC assessment prior to the 2011–2012 spring administration, is not required to take that EOC in order to receive a Texas diploma. Prior to HB 2349, a student on the foundation program was required to take and pass all five EOC assessments in order to receive a Texas diploma regardless of course enrollment.

A: These students will be required to take STAAR assessments for the subjects in which they are receiving instruction if an assessment exists. For example, a student in grade 7 who is receiving instruction in grade 8 science would take the STAAR grade 8 science assessment and the STAAR grade 7 mathematics, reading, and writing assessments. 

Q: What are the testing requirements for students in grades 3–8 who are enrolled in a high school course that has a corresponding STAAR EOC assessment?

A:  Students in grades 3–8 who are enrolled in a high school course will take the corresponding STAAR EOC assessment in place of their grade-level assessment in that subject area. These students must take all other STAAR grade-level assessments. For example, a grade 8 student enrolled in English I will take the STAAR English I assessment as well as the STAAR grade 8 mathematics, science, and social studies assessments. 

Q: If students in grades 3–8 are receiving above-grade-level instruction (including instruction in a high school level course), are they required to take both the higher level and the enrolled-grade-level assessment in the same content area? 

A: No. Students in grades 3–8 are not required to take two tests in the same content area. The commissioner of education has discouraged districts from double-testing accelerated students. 

Q; What are the testing requirements for students in kindergarten, grade 1, or grade 2 who are receiving instruction in subjects above their enrolled grade level? 

A: There are no STAAR testing requirements for students enrolled in kindergarten, grade 1, or grade 2, so these students do not test. STAAR testing requirements begin with students enrolled in grade 3. 

Q:  I have a student in 10th grade who completed Algebra I as a home schooled 8th grader.  No EOC scores.  She then moved out of the country for 9th grade and took English I and Biology, again no EOC scores. Does the student need to EOC test in all three or are they exempt?

A: Students that have previously been awarded credit for the course, are not required to take the EOC after the fact.