(a) A student may earn a performance acknowledgment on the student's transcript for outstanding performance in a dual credit course by successfully completing:

  (1) at least 12 hours of college academic courses, including those taken for dual credit as part of the Texas core curriculum, and advanced technical credit courses, including locally articulated courses, with a grade of the equivalent of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0; or

  (2) an associate degree while in high school.

(b) A student may earn a performance acknowledgment on the student's transcript for outstanding performance in bilingualism and biliteracy as follows.

  (1) A student may earn a performance acknowledgment by demonstrating proficiency in accordance with local school district grading policy in two or more languages by:

    (A) completing all English language arts requirements and maintaining a minimum grade point average (GPA) of the equivalent of 80 on a scale of 100; and

    (B) satisfying one of the following:

      (i) completion of a minimum of three credits in the same language in a language other than English with a minimum GPA of the equivalent of 80 on a scale of 100; or

      (ii) demonstrated proficiency in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Level IV or higher in a language other than English with a minimum GPA of the equivalent of 80 on a scale of 100; or

      (iii) completion of at least three credits in foundation subject area courses in a language other than English with a minimum GPA of 80 on a scale of 100; or

      (iv) demonstrated proficiency in one or more languages other than English through one of the following methods:

        (I) a score of 3 or higher on a College Board Advanced Placement examination for a language other than English; or

        (II) a score of 4 or higher on an International Baccalaureate examination for a higher-level languages other than English course; or

        (III) performance on a national assessment of language proficiency in a language other than English of at least Intermediate High or its equivalent.

  (2) In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, to earn a performance acknowledgment in bilingualism and biliteracy, an emergent bilingual student must also have:

    (A) participated in and met the exit criteria for a bilingual or English as a second language (ESL) program; and

    (B) scored at the Advanced High level on the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS).

(c) A student may earn a performance acknowledgment on the student's transcript for outstanding performance on a College Board Advanced Placement test or International Baccalaureate examination by earning:

  (1) a score of 3 or above on a College Board Advanced Placement examination; or

  (2) a score of 4 or above on an International Baccalaureate examination.

(d) A student may earn a performance acknowledgment on the student's transcript for outstanding performance on an established, valid, reliable, and nationally norm-referenced preliminary college preparation assessment instrument used to measure a student's progress toward readiness for college and the workplace or on an established valid, reliable, and nationally norm-referenced assessment instrument used by colleges and universities as part of their undergraduate admissions process by:

  (1) earning a score on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) that qualifies the student for recognition as a commended scholar or higher by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation or as an awardee of the National Recognition Programs of the College Board;

  (2) earning a composite score of 442 on the ACT Aspire™ examination;

  (3) earning a composite score of 29 on the ACT PreACT® examination;

  (4) earning a total score of at least 1350 on the SAT®; or

  (5) earning a composite score on the ACT® examination of 29 (excluding the writing subscore).

(e) A student may earn a performance acknowledgment on the student's transcript for earning a state-recognized or nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license as follows.

  (1) A student may earn a performance acknowledgment with:

    (A) performance on an examination or series of examinations sufficient to obtain a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification; or

    (B) performance on an examination sufficient to obtain a government-required credential to practice a profession.

  (2) Nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification shall be defined as an industry-validated credential that complies with knowledge and skills standards promulgated by a nationally or internationally recognized business, industry, professional, or government entity representing a particular profession or occupation that is issued by or endorsed by:

    (A) a national or international business, industry, or professional organization;

    (B) a state agency or other government entity; or

    (C) a state-based industry association.

  (3) Certifications or licensures for performance acknowledgements shall:

    (A) be age appropriate for high school students;

    (B) represent a student's substantial course of study and/or end-of-program knowledge and skills;

    (C) include an industry-recognized examination or series of examinations, an industry-validated skill test, or demonstrated proficiency through documented, supervised field experience; and

    (D) represent substantial knowledge and multiple skills needed for successful entry into a high-skill occupation.

Source Note: The provisions of this §74.14 adopted to be effective July 8, 2014, 39 TexReg 5149; amended to be effective August 22, 2016, 41 TexReg 5039; amended to be effective August 27, 2018, 43 TexReg 4190; amended to be effective August 1, 2022, 47 TexReg 4502