H.B. No. 181
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to information printed by school districts on high school
  diplomas.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 28.025(c-1), (c-5), and (e-1),
  Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (c-1)  A student may earn an endorsement on the student's
  [diploma and] transcript by successfully completing curriculum
  requirements for that endorsement adopted by the State Board of
  Education by rule. The State Board of Education by rule shall
  provide students with multiple options for earning each
  endorsement, including, to the greatest extent possible, coherent
  sequences of courses.  The State Board of Education by rule must
  permit a student to enroll in courses under more than one
  endorsement curriculum before the student's junior year.  An
  endorsement under this subsection may be earned in any of the
  following categories:
               (1)  science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
  (STEM), which includes courses directly related to science,
  including environmental science, technology, including computer
  science, engineering, and advanced mathematics;
               (2)  business and industry, which includes courses
  directly related to database management, information technology,
  communications, accounting, finance, marketing, graphic design,
  architecture, construction, welding, logistics, automotive
  technology, agricultural science, and heating, ventilation, and
  air conditioning;
               (3)  public services, which includes courses directly
  related to health sciences and occupations, education and training,
  law enforcement, and culinary arts and hospitality;
               (4)  arts and humanities, which includes courses
  directly related to political science, world languages, cultural
  studies, English literature, history, and fine arts; and
               (5)  multidisciplinary studies, which allows a student
  to:
                     (A)  select courses from the curriculum of each
  endorsement area described by Subdivisions (1) through (4); and
                     (B)  earn credits in a variety of advanced courses
  from multiple content areas sufficient to complete the
  distinguished level of achievement under the foundation high school
  program.
         (c-5)  A student may earn a performance acknowledgment on the
  student's [diploma and] transcript by satisfying the requirements
  for that acknowledgment adopted by the State Board of Education by
  rule. An acknowledgment under this subsection may be earned:
               (1)  for outstanding performance:
                     (A)  in a dual credit course;
                     (B)  in bilingualism and biliteracy;
                     (C)  on a college advanced placement test or
  international baccalaureate examination; or
                     (D)  on the PSAT, the ACT-Plan, the SAT, or the
  ACT; or
               (2)  for earning a nationally or internationally
  recognized business or industry certification or license.
         (e-1)  A school district shall clearly indicate a
  distinguished level of achievement under the foundation high school
  program as described by Subsection (b-15), an endorsement described
  by Subsection (c-1), and a performance acknowledgment described by
  Subsection (c-5) on the [diploma and] transcript of a student who
  satisfies the applicable requirements. The State Board of Education
  shall adopt rules as necessary to administer this subsection.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with a high school
  diploma issued at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
         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, 2015.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 181 was passed by the House on April
  9, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 181 was passed by the Senate on May
  11, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor