During the 83rd Legislature, school leaders and congress came together to create a bill that would recognize the individual needs of students. This collaboration led to the passage of House Bill 5, which was a sweeping educational reform bill. This bill not only allowed local districts more flexibility in providing courses for students based upon need, but it also reduced the number of End-of-course exams that students must take and pass in order to graduate High School.
HB5 further eliminates the minimum, recommended, and distinguished graduation plans that are currently in place and has created a single Foundation graduation pathway. It further allows students to pursue their interests by creating opportunities for students to earn endorsements in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); business and industry; public services; arts and humanities; and multidisciplinary studies. HB5 also creates a distinguished achievement level above the endorsement programs that students can opt to complete.
The State Board of Education (SBOE) has just adopted the rules and requirements for these new graduation requirements, and we will be receiving further information in the coming weeks. I will be charging the campuses with providing information concerning HB5 to our parents, students, and community members.
I believe this will be a good thing for the students of Harleton ISD. It will provide us the ability to meet more student needs and help our students prepare for success in whatever path they choose to pursue after graduation.
