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Senate Bill 1843, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, Overview and Expected Timeline for Implementation

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November 30, 2017

TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:

Subject: Senate Bill 1843, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, Overview and Expected Timeline for Implementation

This correspondence is to provide an overview of Senate Bill (SB) 1843 (85th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2017) and the expected timeline for implementation.

SB 1843 requires that each school year each school district and open-enrollment charter school provide students in grades 10 through 12 an opportunity to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test and consult with a military recruiter. School districts and open-enrollment charter schools must:

  • Schedule the ASVAB during normal school hours; and
  • Schedule the ASVAB at a time that limits conflict with extracurricular activities.

Additionally, SB 1843 requires that school districts and open enrollment charter schools communicate the date, time and location of testing to students and their parent/guardians.

A school district/open enrollment charter school may elect not to provide the ASVAB test, if the school provides an alternative test that:

  • Assesses a student's aptitude for success in a career field other than a career field that requires postsecondary education;
  • Is free to administer;
  • Requires minimal training and support of district or school faculty and staff to administer the test; and
  • Provides the student with a professional interpretation of the test results that allows the student to:
      • Explore occupations that are consistent with the student's interests and skills; and
      • Develop strategies to attain the student's career goals.

If a school district or open-enrollment charter school entered into a contract, prior to 9/1/17, under which a vocational aptitude test that does not comply with the requirements for an alternative test outlined above, then the school district, open-enrollment charter school, or high school may elect not to provide the ASVAB for the term of the contract.  On the expiration of the contract term, the requirements outlined in this letter become applicable to the school district, open-enrollment charter school or high school.

Finally, Senate Bill 1843 requires that no later than August 1st the Texas Education Agency publish a list of school districts and open-enrollment charter schools that elect not to provide the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test during the previous school year. TEA will send additional guidance to districts in April 2018 regarding the reporting process for the 2017-2018 school year.

Texas Education Agency and the Department of Defense will host a webinar to review Senate Bill 1843 and the ASVAB Career Exploration Program. Webinar details are outlined below:

Date: Wednesday, December 13th, 2017
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4223710532877158147
Webinar ID: 466-253-291

Additional information and resources regarding ASVAB may be found at www.tea.texas.gov/ASVAB.  Please contact ASVAB@tea.texas.gov with questions or for additional assistance.

Sincerely,

Lily Laux
Executive Director, School Programs

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