K-12 Education:
SB 673
Scooter's Law: Allows a student in an individualized education program (IEP) who has completed the fourth year of high school to participate in graduation ceremonies. (House sponsor: Rep. Rob Eisller, R-The Woodlands); Effective immediately.
SB 1871
Data Regarding Early Childhood Education and Bilingual Education Strategies: Direct school districts to use the School Readiness Certification System to report reading assessment data to TEA for determining whether or not an early childhood program truly is preparing children to be "school ready." Evaluates the effectiveness of different bilingual education and special language program models by improving data collection and analysis. (House sponsor: Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston); Effective immediately.
HB 426
Discipline Alternative Education Program (DAEP) Curriculum: Provides more specific minimum standards for DAEPs in order to ensure a quality education for students enrolled in such programs. (House author: Rep. Jerry Madden, R-Plano); Effective immediately.
HB 1137
Dropout Prevention: Authorizes diploma-seeking students who are at least 21 years of age but younger than 26 years of age to be admitted to public schools; allows districts to receive state-funding for such students; and lowers the attendance requirements necessary to obtain class credit, provided that the instructional requirements of the class are met. (House author: Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston); Effective immediately.
