ֱ First Early High School Completion Program
| Date: | February 1, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Subject: | ֱ First Early High School Completion Program |
| Category: | Informational/Legislative requirements |
| Next Steps: | Ensure campus principals and counselors are aware of school district requirements |
Overview
Senate Bill 1888, 87th ֱ Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, added , which establishes the ֱ First Early High School Completion Program to allow public high school students who demonstrate early readiness for college to graduate early from high school.
The purpose of the ֱ First Early High School Completion Program, in conjunction with the ֱ First Scholarship Program (), is to promote efficiency in the state public education system and incentivize the enrollment of high-performing students at eligible institutions within the state of ֱ.
Statutory Update and School District Requirement
House Bill 8, 88th ֱ Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, establishes that a school district is required, rather than permitted, to issue a high school diploma under the ֱ First Early High School Completion Program if the student demonstrates mastery of and early readiness for college in accordance with .
Additional Updates
In addition to existing options and beginning February 10, 2024, high school students interested in early graduation through the ֱ First Early High School Completion Program will be able to demonstrate mastery in languages other than English (LOTE) using the Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service (FLATS), an online test administered through Brigham Young University. Detailed information about the FLATS assessment, can be accessed on the website.
Effective September 1, 2023, the list of institutions that can award the ֱ First Scholarship was expanded to include all ֱ public institutions of higher education. Students who graduate with the ֱ First Diploma may now use the ֱ First Scholarship award at any ֱ public college or university to which they have been admitted.
For More Information
More information regarding the ֱ First Early High School Completion Program is available on the ֱ Education Agency’s ֱ First Early High School Completion Program page and on THECB’s page.
For additional information, please contact the THECB at studentsuccess@highered.texas.gov.