During the 81st Legislative Session completed June 1, 2009, the Legislature passed House Bill 3. (See these prior posts here and here). House Bill 3 made significant changes to the graduation requirements, and these changes are being implemented immediately. Below is information from the Spring Branch website concerning potential schedule changes for students. This information will be of particular importance to students in middle school taking high school level courses, and to all high school students.
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Update on state’s new graduation requirements
On June 25, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced that the new graduation requirements approved in Texas House Bill 3 would become effective immediately, and impact all students beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. Typically, new graduation requirements take effect with an incoming freshman class.
The changes in House Bill 3 remove the requirements for ½ credit in Health, ½ credit in Physical Education, and 1 credit in Technology Applications, which would allow students to have more flexibility in taking elective courses. These changes were made only to the Recommended Student Graduation Plan and not for the Minimum or Distinguished (DAP) student graduation plans.
Despite these changes, school districts may make local school determinations about implementing rules affecting student schedules.
SBISD recognizes that House Bill 3 allows for more flexibility in course requirements. Students and parents, however, should be aware that the courses students have already signed up for this school year are likely to be the ones that they will take this year.
During the published schedule change window, SBISD campus counselors will post a list of Closed and/or Available courses on a daily basis. High school seniors will be given priority consideration in any schedule changes. Students should see their high school counselor for more information.
SBISD appreciates your flexibility and understanding as it works to implement the new House Bill 3 requirements. For the latest information on the House Bill 3 change in graduation requirements, please visit http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum/HB3index.html
High school students and parents please note: The high school semester course Speech (Communications Applications) is still a required course on all three graduation plans as stated by the State Board of Education.
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