The Texas Senate has approved allowing thousands of high school seniors to graduate this year despite failing one of the standardized exams needed to earn a diploma.
Amarillo Republican Sen. Kel Seliger's bill offers an alternative graduation plan to an estimated 28,000 class of 2015 seniors who failed to pass one of five required statewide exams in algebra I, biology, English I and II and U.S. history.
The plan approved Tuesday would create committees to consider a student's other academic factors, like attendance and grades. Members could vote to exempt that student from testing requirements.
Seliger sprinted the bill through the Senate, hoping it could take effect in time for eligible students to graduate this spring.
It must still clear the House, though, and be signed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
