AUSTIN, Texas — Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-District 8, today passed the conference committee report for House Bill 3, which will reform the state's public school accountability system. The measure will now go to the Governor for his signature.

For the first time, the school accountability system will use college readiness as a goal. By requiring districts and campuses to increase the number of students performing at the college readiness level, Texas will be the first state in the nation to utilize this standard in law.

"Measuring the readiness of our students for postsecondary success is the hallmark of this legislation," Senator Shapiro said. "No longer will it be enough for our schools to have students simply perform on a test with no end goal."

The bill also emphasizes rigor and relevance in the recommended graduation requirements for students. Students must earn four credits each in English, math, science, and social studies, two credits of the same foreign language, one physical education credit, one fine arts credit and six electives selected by students and parents.

In addition to the electives, the bill increases student options for learning by authorizing applied math and science courses, and career and technical education courses developed with partners in higher education.

"The course offerings in this bill provide students an opportunity to choose the classes that meet their talents," Senator Shapiro said. "An engaged student is more likely to graduate ready for success, whether in the workforce or in higher education. I am pleased that the conference committee report retains flexibility in the graduation requirements while including fine arts and PE. With the economic impact and academic benefits of fine arts, not to mention the staggering data regarding childhood obesity in Texas, those course requirements were essential."

The reforms in HB 3 build upon legislation from 2006 and 2007 and will place Texas among the national leaders in creating a blueprint for helping Texas students achieve postsecondary readiness.

"This legislation, in conjunction with bills passed in 2006 and 2007, will mean that Texas has moved ahead of all other states in creating statewide policy that addresses effectively all of the actions needed to make readiness for postsecondary education a high priority in all high schools," said Dave Spence, president of the Southern Regional Education Board. "No other state has developed such comprehensive and pointed policy that outlines all of the required actions in the areas of standards, curriculum change, testing, and accountability."

"One of the most frequent concerns of the current system is that our schools are too focused on the TAKS test," Senator Shapiro said. "While this bill doesn't eliminate testing, it strikes a better balance with putting pressure on the system rather than solely on the students."