Sec. 28.02121.  HIGH SCHOOL PERSONAL GRADUATION PLAN.  (a) The agency, in consultation with the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall prepare and make available to each school district in English and Spanish information that explains the advantages of the distinguished level of achievement described by Section 28.025(b-15) and each endorsement described by Section 28.025(c-1).  The information must contain an explanation:
(1)  concerning the benefits of choosing a high school personal graduation plan that includes the distinguished level of achievement under the foundation high school program and includes one or more endorsements to enable the student to achieve a class rank in the top 10 percent for students at the campus; and
(2)  that encourages parents, to the greatest extent practicable, to have the student choose a high school personal graduation plan described by Subdivision (1).
(b)  A school district shall publish the information provided to the district under Subsection (a) on the Internet website of the district and ensure that the information is available to students in grades nine and above and the parents or legal guardians of those students in the language in which the parents or legal guardians are most proficient.  A district is required to provide information under this subsection in the language in which the parents or legal guardians are most proficient only if at least 20 students in a grade level primarily speak that language.
(c)  A principal of a high school shall designate a school counselor or school administrator to review personal graduation plan options with each student entering grade nine together with that student's parent or guardian. The personal graduation plan options reviewed must include the distinguished level of achievement described by Section 28.025(b-15) and the endorsements described by Section 28.025(c-1).  Before the conclusion of the school year, the student and the student's parent or guardian must confirm and sign a personal graduation plan for the student.
(d)  A personal graduation plan under Subsection (c) must identify a course of study that:
(1)  promotes:
(A)  college and workforce readiness; and
(B)  career placement and advancement; and
(2)  facilitates the student's transition from secondary to postsecondary education.
(e)  A school district may not prevent a student and the student's parent or guardian from confirming a personal graduation plan that includes pursuit of a distinguished level of achievement or an endorsement.
(f)  A student may amend the student's personal graduation plan after the initial confirmation of the plan under this section.  If a student amends the student's personal graduation plan, the  school shall send written notice to the student's parents regarding the change.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 211 (H.B. 5), Sec. 14(a), eff. June 10, 2013.