| Action Required |
April 26, 2000
TO THE ADMINISTRATOR/SUPERINTENDENT ADDRESSED:
SUBJECT: New Promotion Requirements
As part of the Student Success Initiative, the 76th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 4, which made changes to student promotion requirements. These changes were made in order to help all children in Texas learn to read.
The new requirements of Texas Education Code §28.0211 will affect students enrolled in kindergarten during the 1999-2000 school year and to all students who enter kindergarten thereafter. When this first group of students is in third grade during the 2002-2003 school year, students must pass the reading portion of the statewide assessment in order to be promoted to fourth grade. These same students must satisfy additional requirements in the fifth grade in 2004-2005, and in the eighth grade in 2007-2008. These additional requirements in fifth and eighth grade will also apply to all students who enter kindergarten after the 1999-2000 school year.
In order to help communicate these new promotion requirements to families, we have enclosed a parent information brochure in English and one in Spanish. This brochure includes the explanation of the changes made to state law, frequently asked questions, suggestions on how families can help, and available resources for further information.
Please make copies and share this brochure with the families in your district. Thank you for continuing to work collaboratively for the success of all Texas children.
Sincerely yours,
Jim Nelson
Commissioner of Education
Enclosures
Parent Brochures (Revised 5/5/00):
The 2000 and Beyond version of the Brochure is available at www.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum/brochure.html
For further information on this topic, contact the Curriculum Division at (512)463-9581, Student Assessment at (512)463-9536, or the Reading Hotline at (800)819-5713.