By: Bell of Kaufman H.B. No. 434
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 November 2, 2021.