نبذة مختصرة : In June 2013, former Texas Governor Rick Perry signed into law House Bill (HB) 5, 83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, which established a new high school graduation program--the Foundation High School Program--for students entering Grade 9 in 2014-15 and reduced the number of state assessments required for graduation. The legislation gave the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) decision-making authority in a number of areas related to the new high school program. The SBOE adopted rules for the Foundation High School Program on January 31, 2014. Prior to the passage of HB 5, Texas students could choose among three graduation programs: the Minimum High School Program (MHSP), the Recommended High School Program (RHSP), and the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP), with special provisions required for students to complete the MHSP. On both the RHSP and DAP, students are required to complete four credits each in English, mathematics (including Algebra II), science, and social studies--satisfying the admission requirements for most Texas public universities and colleges. Beginning with the 2014-15 school year, new high school graduation requirements have been implemented in Texas public school districts for all students entering Grade 9. As part of the legislation, HB 5 Section 83(a), the TEA, in collaboration with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), is required to conduct an evaluation that estimates the effects of graduation requirement changes on several key outcomes, with reports due December 1, 2015, and December 1, 2017. The evaluation of HB 5 focuses on meeting the following two objectives: (1) Evaluate the implementation of HB 5 on curriculum and testing requirements for high school graduation; and (2) Estimate the effect of the changes HB 5 made to curriculum and testing requirements on high school graduation rates, college readiness, college admissions, college completion, obtainment of workforce certificates, employment rates, and earnings. This first evaluation report will provide data on: (1) baseline outcome measures for students graduating under the MHSP, RHSP, and DAP; (2) how districts are implementing the changes to curriculum and graduation requirements during the first year of the Foundation High School Program; and (3) a preliminary assessment of the college readiness of students who will be the first cohort required to graduate under the Foundation High School Program.
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