Bill > SB2871

This bill modifies the existing Texas Education Code to increase the number of excused absences allowed for high school students visiting colleges. Currently, students in their junior and senior years can be excused from school to visit an accredited institution of higher education, with a limit of two days during junior year. The bill changes this to allow two days during junior year and four days during senior year (an increase from the previous two days). School districts must still adopt a policy specifying when such absences will be excused and establish a procedure to verify the student's college visit. These changes will take effect with the 2025-2026 school year, and the bill becomes effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature, or on September 1, 2025, if it does not receive the immediate effect vote. The purpose of these college visit days is to help students explore potential higher education opportunities and make informed decisions about their future academic paths.