87R1453 JES-D
 
  By: Thierry H.B. No. 1994
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the curriculum requirements for public high school
  students.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 28.025(b-1) and (b-9), Education Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (b-1)  The State Board of Education by rule shall require
  that the curriculum requirements for the foundation high school
  program under Subsection (a) include a requirement that students
  successfully complete:
               (1)  four credits in English language arts under
  Section 28.002(a)(1)(A), including one credit in English I, one
  credit in English II, one credit in English III, and one credit in
  an advanced English course authorized under Subsection (b-2);
               (2)  three credits in mathematics under Section
  28.002(a)(1)(B), including one credit in Algebra I, one credit in
  geometry, and one credit in any advanced mathematics course
  authorized under Subsection (b-2);
               (3)  three credits in science under Section
  28.002(a)(1)(C), including one credit in biology, one credit in any
  advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2), and one
  credit in integrated physics and chemistry or in an additional
  advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2);
               (4)  three credits in social studies under Section
  28.002(a)(1)(D), including one credit in United States history, at
  least one-half credit in government and at least one-half credit in
  economics, and one credit in world geography or world history;
               (5)  except as provided under Subsections (b-12),
  (b-13), and (b-14), two credits in the same language in a language
  other than English under Section 28.002(a)(2)(A);
               (6)  five elective credits;
               (7)  one credit in:
                     (A)  fine arts under Section 28.002(a)(2)(D); or
                     (B)  career and technology education under
  Section 28.002(a)(2)(E); and
               (8)  except as provided by Subsection (b-11), one
  credit in physical education under Section 28.002(a)(2)(C).
         (b-9)  A school district, with the approval of the
  commissioner, may allow a student to satisfy the fine arts credit
  [required] under Subsection (b-1)(7)(A) [(b-1)(7)] by
  participating in a community-based fine arts program not provided
  by the school district in which the student is enrolled. The fine
  arts program must provide instruction in the essential knowledge
  and skills identified for fine arts by the State Board of Education
  under Section 28.002(c). The fine arts program may be provided on or
  off a school campus and outside the regular school day.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
  school year.
         SECTION 3.  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, 2021.