82R6596 GCB-F

By: Duncan S.B. No. 1620

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an approval process for substitution of certain career and technology courses for mathematics and science courses otherwise required under the recommended and advanced high school programs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 28.027 to read as follows:

Sec. 28.027. APPLIED SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS COURSES. (a) In this section, "applied STEM course" means an applied science, technology, engineering, or mathematics course offered as part of a school district's career and technology education curriculum.

(b) The State Board of Education shall establish a process under which an applied STEM course may be reviewed and approved for purposes of satisfying the mathematics and science curriculum requirements for the recommended and advanced high school programs imposed under Section 28.025(b-1)(1)(A) through substitution of the applied STEM course for a specific mathematics or science course otherwise required under those programs.

(c) The process must provide that an applied STEM course is entitled to be approved for the purpose described by Subsection (b) if the course meets the following requirements:

(1) the applied STEM course is part of a curriculum created by a recognized national or international business and industry group to prepare a student for a national or international business and industry certification or license;

(2) the applied STEM course qualifies as:

(A) an international baccalaureate, advanced placement, or dual credit course; or

(B) an articulated postsecondary course provided for local credit or articulated postsecondary advanced technical credit course provided for state credit;

(3) the essential knowledge and skills covered in the applied STEM course are equivalent to the essential knowledge and skills covered in the mathematics or science course for which the applied STEM course is proposed to be approved for substitution; and

(4) if the applied STEM course is proposed for substitution for a mathematics or science course typically taken by a student in the student's fourth year of high school, the applied STEM course must:

(A) provide substantial mathematics content or science content, as applicable, taught in an applied or symbolic format, that enables a student to develop relevant critical thinking skills necessary for preparation for employment or additional training in a career identified by the Texas Workforce Commission as a high-demand or emerging occupation; and

(B) incorporate college and career readiness skills.

SECTION 2. Section 28.025(b-2), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b-2) In adopting rules under Subsection (b-1), the State Board of Education shall allow a student to comply with the curriculum requirements for a mathematics [course under Subsection (b-1)(1) taken after the successful completion of an Algebra II course] or science course under Subsection (b-1)(1) [taken after the successful completion of a physics course] by successfully completing an advanced career and technical course designated by the State Board of Education as containing substantively similar and rigorous academic content. [A student may use the option provided by this subsection for not more than two courses.]

SECTION 3. Not later than September 1, 2012, the commissioner of education shall establish and implement the process required by Section 28.027, Education Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.