83R2318 GCB-D
	By: Alvarado	H.B. No. 275

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to physical education credits required for high school
	graduation.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Sections 28.025(b-1) and (b-11), Education Code,
	are amended to read as follows:
	(b-1)  The State Board of Education by rule shall require
	that:
	(1)  except as provided by Subsection (b-2), the
	curriculum requirements for the recommended and advanced high
	school programs under Subsection (a) include a requirement that
	students successfully complete:
	(A)  four credits in each subject of the
	foundation curriculum under Section 28.002(a)(1), including at
	least one-half credit in government and at least one-half credit in
	economics to meet the social studies requirement;
	(B)  for the recommended high school program, two
	credits in the same language in a language other than English under
	Section 28.002(a)(2)(A) and, for the advanced high school program,
	three credits in the same language in a language other than English
	under Section 28.002(a)(2)(A); and
	(C)  for the recommended high school program, five
	and one-half [six] elective credits and, for the advanced high
	school program, four and one-half [five] elective credits;
	(2)  one or more credits offered in the required
	curriculum for the recommended and advanced high school programs
	include a research writing component; and
	(3)  the curriculum requirements for the minimum,
	recommended, and advanced high school programs under Subsection (a)
	include a requirement that students successfully complete:
	(A)  one credit in fine arts under Section
	28.002(a)(2)(D); and
	(B)  except as provided by Subsection (b-11), one
	and one-half credits [one credit] in physical education under
	Section 28.002(a)(2)(C).
	(b-11)  In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State
	Board of Education shall allow a student who is unable to
	participate in physical activity due to disability or illness to
	substitute one and one-half credits [one credit] in English
	language arts, mathematics,  science, [or] social studies, or an
	[one] academic elective, or a combination of credits in those
	courses equaling one and one-half credits, [credit] for the
	physical education credits [credit] required under Subsection
	(b-1)(3)(B).  A credit allowed to be substituted under this
	subsection may not also be used by the student to satisfy a
	graduation requirement other than completion of the physical
	education credits [credit].  The rules must provide that the
	determination regarding a student's ability to participate in
	physical activity will be made by:
	(1)  if the student receives special education services
	under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, the student's admission, review,
	and dismissal committee;
	(2)  if the student does not receive special education
	services under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, but is covered by Section
	504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794), the
	committee established for the student under that Act; or
	(3)  if each of the committees described by
	Subdivisions (1) and (2) is inapplicable, a committee established
	by the school district of persons with appropriate knowledge
	regarding the student.
	SECTION 2.  Sections 28.025(b-1) and (b-11), Education Code,
	as amended by this Act, apply only to students entering the ninth
	grade during the 2013-2014 school year or a later school year. For
	students entering a grade above ninth grade during the 2013-2014
	school year, Sections 28.025(b-1) and (b-11), Education Code, as
	those sections existed before amendment by this Act, apply, and
	those sections are continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2013.