Impact of HB3 & Graduation Requirements Continues to Evolve

Updated September 18, 2009

At their August 3 meeting, the Plano ISD Board of Trustees approved language in Policy EIF (Local) that keeps course requirements for the Recommended Graduation Plan consistent with the 2008-09 school year. This means that all high school students will continue to enroll in courses currently identified in their four-year plans.

With House Bill 3 passed in the 2009 Texas State Legislature, school districts were given the option of providing students with more flexibility in their course selections on the recommended plan with the removal of requirements for one credit in technology applications, one-half credit in p.e. and one-half credit in health.

The State Board of Education has yet to determine the impact of House Bill 3 in regard to the one-half speech credit for graduation requirements.

Plano ISD will form a curriculum advisory committee this fall consisting of campus administrators, counselors and parents. This group will provide input regarding Plano ISD's updated graduation plans to take effect with the 2010-11 school year.

The committee input will be provided to an internal steering committee consisting of high school principals and central office curriculum and student services staff. This internal committee is tasked with considering all input and providing a recommendation to the Plano ISD Board of Trustees. 

The State Board of Education will not provide final decisions on their changes to the graduation plan until their January meeting. The Plano ISD Board of Trustees will act on the committee recommendation shortly thereafter.