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.