1. (a) Graduates of each high school are awarded the same type of diploma. The academic achievement record (transcript), rather than the diploma, records individual accomplishments, achievements, and courses completed and displays appropriate graduation seals.
2. (b) All credit for graduation must be earned no later than Grade 12.
3. (c) A student entering Grade 9 in the 2007-2008 school year and thereafter shall enroll in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements for the recommended high school program specified in §74.63 of this title (relating to Recommended High School Program) or the advanced program specified in §74.64 of this title (relating to Distinguished Achievement High School Program--Advanced High School Program) unless the student, the student's parent or other persons standing in parental relation to the student, and a school counselor or school administrator agree that the student should be permitted to take courses under the minimum high school program specified in §74.62 of this title (relating to Minimum High School Program).

4. (d) To receive a high school diploma, a student entering Grade 9 in the 2007-2008 school year and thereafter must complete the following:

   1. (1) in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, requirements of the minimum high school program specified in §74.62, the recommended high school program specified in §74.63, or the advanced program specified in §74.64; and
   2. (2) testing requirements for graduation as specified in Chapter 101 of this title (relating to Assessment).

5. (e) A maximum of three credits of reading (selected from Reading I, II, or III) may be offered by districts for state graduation elective credit for identified students under the following conditions.

   1. (1) The school district board of trustees shall adopt policies to identify students in need of additional reading instruction.
   2. (2) District procedures shall include assessment of individual student needs, ongoing evaluation of each student's progress, and monitoring of instructional activities to ensure that student needs are addressed.
6. (f) An out-of-state or out-of-country transfer student (including foreign exchange students) or a transfer student from a Texas nonpublic school is eligible to receive a Texas diploma, but must complete all requirements of this section to satisfy state graduation requirements. Any course credit required in this section that is not completed by the student before he or she enrolls in a Texas school district may be satisfied through the provisions of §74.23 of this title (relating to Correspondence Courses and Distance Learning) and §74.24 of this title (relating to Credit by Examination) or by completing the course or courses according to the provisions of §74.26 of this title (relating to Award of Credit).

7. (g) Elective credits in all three graduation programs may be selected from the following:

   1. (1) the list of courses approved by the State Board of Education (SBOE) for Grades 9-12 as specified in §74.1 of this title (relating to Essential Knowledge and Skills);
   2. (2) state-approved innovative courses as specified in §74.27 of this chapter (relating to Innovative Courses and Programs);
   3. (3) Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)--one to four credits; or
   4. (4) Driver Education--one-half credit.
8. (h) College Board advanced placement and International Baccalaureate courses may be substituted for courses required in appropriate areas in all three high school graduation programs. College Board advanced placement and International Baccalaureate courses may be used as electives in all three high school graduation programs.

Source Note:The provisions of this §74.61 adopted to be effective September 1, 2005, 29 TexReg 9357; amended to be effective January 9, 2007, 32 TexReg 80.