TITLE 19. EDUCATION

PART 2. TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY

CHAPTER 74. CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

SUBCHAPTER A. REQUIRED CURRICULUM

The State Board of Education (SBOE) proposes an amendment to §74.5, concerning the academic achievement record (transcript). The proposed amendment would require a student's academic achievement record to indicate that the student has met the new graduation requirement related to the direct admissions program administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) in accordance with Senate Bill (SB) 2314, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: In 2025, the 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, passed SB 2314, amending the state graduation requirements in Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.025(c), to add a new graduation requirement related to the direct admissions program administered by THECB. TEC, §28.0257, requires that a student must elect whether to allow the THECB to share the student's data and education records, as necessary, with institutions of higher education to allow the student to participate in the direct admissions program before graduating.

At the June 2026 SBOE meeting, the SBOE approved for second reading and final adoption amendments to 19 TAC §74.11, High School Graduation Requirements, and §74.12, Foundation High School Program, to update the rules to include the new direct admissions program graduation requirement beginning with students enrolled in the 2026-2027 school year. The adopted rules also allow a student to satisfy the requirement by declining to complete and submit the information necessary to participate in the program through a formal opt-out process.

The proposed amendment to §74.5 would update the rule for the academic achievement record to require documentation of the completion of the new graduation requirement related to the direct admissions program.

The SBOE approved the proposed amendment for first reading and filing authorization at its September 4, 2026 meeting.

FISCAL IMPACT: Shannon Trejo, deputy commissioner for school programs, has determined that there are no additional costs to state or local government. There may be costs to school districts and charter schools associated with required updates to local student information systems in order to implement the requirements of statute. These may include changes to district-developed databases. Since the design and format of and data collection for the academic achievement record (high school transcript) are made at the local district level, it is difficult to estimate the fiscal impact on any given district.

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT IMPACT: The proposal has no effect on local economy; therefore, no local employment impact statement is required under Texas Government Code, §2001.022.

SMALL BUSINESS, MICROBUSINESS, AND RURAL COMMUNITY IMPACT: The proposal has no direct adverse economic impact for small businesses, microbusinesses, or rural communities; therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis specified in Texas Government Code, §2006.002, is required.

COST INCREASE TO REGULATED PERSONS: The proposal does not impose a cost on regulated persons, another state agency, a special district, or a local government and, therefore, is not subject to Texas Government Code, §2001.0045.

TAKINGS IMPACT ASSESSMENT: The proposal does not impose a burden on private real property and, therefore, does not constitute a taking under Texas Government Code, §2007.043.

GOVERNMENT GROWTH IMPACT: Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff prepared a Government Growth Impact Statement assessment for this proposed rulemaking. During the first five years the proposed rulemaking would be in effect, it would expand an existing regulation by requiring school districts and charter schools to report the completion of the requirement related to the direct admissions program on the academic achievement record.

The proposed rulemaking would not create or eliminate a government program; would not require the creation of new employee positions or elimination of existing employee positions; would not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; would not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; would not create a new regulation; would not limit or repeal an existing regulation; would not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to its applicability; and would not positively or adversely affect the state's economy.

PUBLIC BENEFIT AND COST TO PERSONS: Dr. Trejo has determined that for each year of the first five years the proposal is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the proposal would be to improve documentation of requirements on the academic achievement record and the ability to more effectively transmit that information between school districts. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposal.

DATA AND REPORTING IMPACT: The proposal would have data and reporting implications. The proposed amendment would require school districts and charter schools to report the completion of the graduation requirement related to the direct admissions program on the high school transcript.

PRINCIPAL AND CLASSROOM TEACHER PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: TEA has determined that the proposal would not require a written report or other paperwork to be completed by a principal or classroom teacher.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: The SBOE requests public comments on the proposal, including, per Texas Government Code, §2001.024(a)(8), information related to the cost, benefit, or effect of the proposed rule and any applicable data, research, or analysis, from any person required to comply with the proposed rule or any other interested person. The public comment period on the proposal begins October 9, 2026, and ends at 5:00 p.m. on November 9, 2026. The SBOE will take registered oral and written comments on the proposal at the appropriate committee meeting in November 2026 in accordance with the SBOE board operating policies and procedures. A request for a public hearing on the proposal submitted under the Administrative Procedure Act must be received by the commissioner of education not more than 14 calendar days after notice of the proposal has been published in the Texas Register on October 9, 2026.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY. The amendment is proposed under Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(c)(13), which requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to adopt transcript forms and standards for differentiating high school performance for purposes of reporting academic achievement under TEC, §28.025; TEC, §28.025(c), as amended by Senate Bill (SB) 2314, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, which requires that a student must elect whether to allow the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to share the student's data and education records, as necessary, with institutions of higher education to allow the student to participate in the direct admissions program before graduating; TEC, §28.025(e), which requires each school district to report the academic achievement record of students who have completed the foundation high school program on transcript forms adopted by the SBOE; and TEC, §28.0257, as added by SB 2314, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, which requires a student to elect whether to opt in to allowing the THECB to share the student's data and education records, as necessary, with institutions of higher education to allow the student to participate in the direct admissions program established by THECB.

CROSS REFERENCE TO STATUTE. The amendment implements Texas Education Code, §§7.102(c)(13); 28.025(c), as amended by Senate Bill (SB) 2314, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025; 28.025(e); and 28.0257, as added by SB 2314, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025.

§74.5. Academic Achievement Record (Transcript).

(a) The commissioner of education shall develop and distribute to each school district and institution of higher education the state guidelines for a common academic achievement record and coding system for courses and instructions for recording information on the academic achievement record. Each school district must use the coding system provided by the commissioner.

(b) Following guidelines developed by the commissioner, each school district must use an academic achievement record (transcript) form that includes the following:

(1) student demographics;

(2) school data;

(3) student data; and

(4) the record of courses and credits earned.

(c) The academic achievement record shall serve as the academic record for each student and must be maintained permanently by the district. Each district must ensure that copies of the record are made available for a student transferring from one district to another. To ensure appropriate placement of a transfer student, a district must respond promptly to each request for student records from a receiving school district.

(d) Any credit earned by a student must be recorded on the academic achievement record, regardless of when the credit was earned.

(e) A student who completes high school graduation requirements shall have attached to the academic achievement record a seal approved by the State Board of Education.

(f) A student who completes the requirements for an endorsement shall have the endorsement clearly indicated on the academic achievement record.

(g) A student who earns a performance acknowledgment shall have the performance acknowledgment clearly indicated on the academic achievement record.

(h) A student who earns the distinguished level of achievement shall have the distinguished level of achievement clearly indicated on the academic achievement record.

(i) A student who demonstrates proficiency in speech as specified in §74.11(a)(3) of this title (relating to High School Graduation Requirements) shall have completion of the speech requirement clearly indicated on the academic achievement record.

(j) A student who completes the required instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) as specified in §74.38 of this title (relating to Requirements for Instruction in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Use [the use] of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)) [automated external defibrillator (AED)] in Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 shall have completion of the CPR and use of an AED instruction clearly indicated on the academic achievement record.

(k) A student who completes the required instruction on proper interaction with peace officers shall have completion of the instruction clearly indicated on the academic achievement record.

(l) A student who completes and submits a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) or a Texas application for state financial aid (TASFA) or submits the Texas Education Agency-approved opt-out form shall have the completion of the financial aid application requirement clearly indicated on the academic achievement record.

(n) [(m)] A student who satisfies a languages other than English graduation credit requirement by successfully completing a dual language immersion program at an elementary school in accordance with §74.12(b)(5)(F) of this title (relating to Foundation High School Program) shall have the credit clearly indicated on the academic achievement record.

(o) [(n)] A student who earns a high school diploma by satisfying the requirements of the Texas First Early High School Completion Program in accordance with Chapter 4, Subchapter AA, of this title (relating to relating to the Texas First Early High School Completion Program) [Chapter 21, Subchapter D, of this title (relating to the Texas First Early High School Completion Program)] shall have completion of the program and the distinguished level of achievement clearly indicated on the academic achievement record.

(p) [(o)] A student who completes all graduation requirements except for required end-of-course assessment instruments may be issued a certificate of coursework completion. The academic achievement record will include a notation of the date such a certificate was issued to the student.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on September 28, 2026.

TRD-202604181

Cristina De La Fuente-Valadez

Director, Rulemaking

Texas Education Agency

Earliest possible date of adoption: November 8, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 475-1497