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Mesquite ISD

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  1. Departments
  2. Teaching and Learning
  3. Graduation Requirements
  4. Alternative Graduation Requirements

Alternative Graduation Requirements

Adoption of Rules for Alternative Graduation Requirements for Students Who Entered Grade Nine Prior to 2011-2012

SB 463 was passed during the 85th Texas Legislature (2017) and required the commissioner of education to establish criteria to allow individuals who entered high school prior to the 2011-2012 school year and who successfully completed all the curriculum requirements for graduation, but who did not perform successfully on the required state assessment (TAKS) after at least three attempts to qualify for graduation. The new rules establish which individuals may be eligible to graduate and receive a high school diploma by meeting certain alternative requirements.

Who is eligible to graduate under this alternative plan?
A school district or open-enrollment charter school may award a high school diploma to an individual who meets all of the following:

  • Entered grade 9 before the 2011–2012 school year
  • Completed the curriculum requirements for high school graduation applicable at the time the individual entered grade 9
  • Has not performed satisfactorily on a required assessment
  • Has been administered the required assessment or an approved alternate assessment at least three times

What are the alternative requirements for graduation?
A student may meet the alternative requirements for graduation through any of the following:

  • Meeting the performance standard on an alternate assessment as specified in TAC §101.4003
  • Performing satisfactorily on the subject-area test of a state-approved high school equivalency examination in accordance with TAC §89.43(a)(4)
  • Attainment of a TEA-approved industry-recognized postsecondary license or certification
  • Active-duty service in the armed forces or an honorable or general discharge from the armed forces
  • Successful completion of college-level coursework resulting in college credit
  • Additional alternative requirements developed by the district and approve by the school district board of trustees
     

The provisions for alternative graduation requirements will expire on September 1, 2023. 
If you believe you may qualify for graduation under this criteria, please contact your high school.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The industry-based certifications that have been approved for use in public school accountability will also be used for the purpose of alternate graduation requirements. The current list is linked to the TEA Career and Technical Education webpage.

  • The TEA website has graduation requirements going back to the 2001-2002 school year available on this website.   Graduation requirements prior to the 2001-2002 school year can be requested by email to: curriculum@tea.texas.gov.

    Note that graduation requirements for an individual are tied to the year that the individual was first enrolled in the ninth grade.

  • Individuals who do not meet the eligibility requirements in TAC §74.1027 can still meet their assessment requirements through an alternate assessment as specified in TAC §101.4003. In addition, each attempt at one of the approved alternate assessments would count toward the eligibility requirements in TAC §74.1027.

  • No. With approval of the district board of trustees, a school district may develop local alternative requirements if the requirements would allow an individual to demonstrate proficiency in the content related to the assessment on which the student did not perform satisfactorily. Districts are not required to do so, however. If a district does not adopt a local policy, the alternate requirements in TAC §74.1027 would still be in effect and available to qualifying individuals.

  • TAC §74.1027 only requires that the individual “has successfully completed college-level coursework and earned college credit.” It does not specify a minimum number of credits nor the subject area in which those credits are earned.