TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:
The 76th Texas Legislature passed HB 713, which establishes the Texas Excellence, Access, and Success (TEXAS) Grant Program. One of the provisions of this new law requires that all district improvement plans include strategies for providing to middle school, junior high school and high school students, teachers, counselors and parents information about the need to participate in a challenging high school curriculum. The TEXAS grant program provides funds for students with financial need to attend college if they successfully complete the Recommended High School Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program. This legislative action was taken to assure that as many students as possible are aware of the requirements of this grant program in order to make informed academic decisions.
Due to the high level of interest in this grant program, the agency will be contacting each district this fall for verification that this new provision is being included in the district improvement plans. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the TEA's Division of Curriculum and Assessment at (512) 463-9087.
Sincerely,
Jim Nelson
Commissioner of Education
For further information on this topic, contact Curriculum and Assessment at (512) 463-9087.