The most accurate method for tracking high school graduation rates is to provide each student with a single lifetime school identification number that would follow him or her throughout his or her entire school career. Texas has this system in place, but this report demonstrates that the official rates Texas has historically reported dramatically inflated graduation rates and other extended year measures of high school completion as much or more than most states lacking this capacity. The report concludes with general recommendations based on research, as well as specific non-state model legislation (or regulation) that embodies both the research findings and the National Governors' Association's compact calling for accurate and verifiable graduation rate reporting. Appended is "Model Legislation: Proposed Legislative Bill Template for Use by States in Developing Legislation Relating to the Collection and Use of Accurate Data about State High School Graduation Rates." The model legislation, or regulation, also provides an outline for better graduation rate accountability such that struggling schools will get the resources and assistance they need, as well as sufficient time to reach reasonable goals. The legislation is designed for adoption by any state and meets the letter and spirit of the federal requirements for graduation rate accountability in NCLB. (Contains 1 table.)