AUSTIN – The sights of caps and gowns, the sounds of Pomp and Circumstance, and the excitement of graduation is what every student looks forward to after completing four years of high school. Now, students receiving special education services who have completed four years of high school but have not yet completed all of their academic requirements can participate in graduation ceremonies with their friends and fellow classmates.

New legislation, SB 673, signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday allows any student who receives special education services to receive a certificate of attendance and participate in commencement ceremonies if he or she has completed four years of high school, but has not completed the necessary graduation requirements.

Because this bill was approved by a two-thirds vote, this legislation takes effect immediately and supersedes any local board policies, so qualifying students may join their classmates in graduation ceremonies this month.

Once the school determines who is eligible to participate, school administration shall:

• Contact parents to offer the opportunity for the student to participate in the graduation ceremony;

• Notify parents that the student will receive a certificate of attendance, not a diploma;

• Inform the parents that the student may only participate in one graduation ceremony under SB 673; and

• Notify parents that when the student does complete all graduation requirements, he or she will receive a diploma, but will not participate in a second graduation ceremony.

Due to the short timeline for implementation, school districts are not required to convene an admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee meeting to implement the requirements of SB 673.

"We know schools will do their best to accommodate the students but some aspects of graduation, such as ordering caps and gowns and printing invitations may be prove difficult to do on this short timeline," Commissioner of Education Shirley J. Neeley said.

For future updates regarding the requirements of this legislation, either contact your Regional Education Service Center or go to www.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/guidance/.