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.