The 83rd Legislature's comprehensive accountability and assessment reform bill passed earlier this year, House Bill (HB) 5, requires action by some regulatory entities before it can take full effect. Just as the State Board of Education (SBOE) has been considering rules to implement changes to the graduation requirements under HB 5, Commissioner of Education Michael Williams also has authority to adopt rules that implement other sections of the bill. The commissioner recently adopted rules on curriculum requirements and alternative assessments. The first set of rules can be found in Title 19, Chapter 74 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). These rules establish a transition plan for students who enter high school before the 2014-15 school year, and enables them to choose either the new foundation high school program (created by HB 5) or the previous system that encompasses the minimum, recommended or advanced high school programs. The commissioner's rules also provide more detail on HB 5's provision allowing current high school seniors to graduate under the new foundation high school program even if they do not meet the graduation requirements of the old system. The commissioner also adopted new rules under Title 19, Chapter 101 of the TAC, which allow students to substitute certain tests in place of the end-of-course exams they would otherwise be required to pass for graduation. The new rules specify which tests can be allowed as substitutes. These new rules officially take effect Dec. 16. Read the full text of the rules and more background information here.