| (a) Each school district and charter school shall test eligible students in accordance with the Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 39, Subchapter B. All students must pass exit-level assessments in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies to qualify for a high school diploma from a Texas public school. (b) In accordance with the TEC, Chapter 39, Subchapter B, the commissioner of education adopts the SAT® verbal/critical reading and mathematics tests and the ACT® English and mathematics tests as alternative exit-level assessments that eligible students with qualifying scores may substitute respectively for the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) exit-level assessments in English language arts and mathematics beginning in the spring of 2006. (c) The commissioner establishes the level of performance considered to be satisfactory on the approved alternative exit-level assessments as follows. (1) The required passing standard to qualify to substitute the SAT® verbal/critical reading test for the TAKS exit-level English language arts assessment is at least 472. (2) The required passing standard to qualify to substitute the SAT® mathematics test for the TAKS exit-level mathematics assessment is at least 461. (3) The required passing standard to qualify to substitute the ACT® English test for the TAKS exit-level English language arts assessment is at least 17.7. (4) The required passing standard to qualify to substitute the ACT® mathematics test for the TAKS exit-level mathematics assessment is at least 19.5. (d) An eligible student who has met the passing standard as set by the commissioner on a state-approved alternative exit-level assessment in a particular subject area has satisfied the exit-level testing requirement in that subject area. (e) Once a district or charter school has verified that the student is eligible for and has satisfied the requirements under this subchapter and satisfied the coursework requirements to be eligible for a high school diploma in Texas, the district or charter school is authorized to grant a diploma to the student. |
