Gov. Perry Calls for Deferral of 15 Percent Rule

 Gov. Rick Perry sent a letter to Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams asking him to defer until the 2013-14 school year the requirement that an end-of-course assessment count as 15 percent of a student's final course grade. The governor also applauded Sen. Dan Patrick for filing legislation to give school districts permanent flexibility.

"This week we received the excellent news that our state's graduation rate ties for the nation's third best. As you know, this accomplishment did not happen by accident, nor did it happen overnight. The state of Texas has set the bar for a standard of excellence and our school districts, teachers, parents and students have worked together to meet the challenges of our rigorous standards," Gov. Perry said in his letter. "While we must continue to adhere to our state's accountability system, we must also recognize the importance of local control. That is why I am asking you to defer until the 2013-14 school year the requirement that an end-of-course assessment count as 15 percent of a student's final course grade."

Additionally, the governor applauds Sen. Dan Patrick for filing legislation to permanently make the 15 percent grade provision a local option for school districts, citing the importance of giving them the discretion to enact changes at a level and pace that is right for them. Gov. Perry is committed to working with Sen. Patrick and lawmakers to making flexibility permanent.

"Yesterday, I filed legislation that will permanently make the 15 percent grade provision a local option for school districts," said Sen. Dan Patrick. "This is about local control. The school districts, and the parents, should have a voice on whether the end of course exams should count towards a student's final grade."

To read Gov. Perry's letter to Commissioner Williams, please see the link below: