November 17, 2021 Committee of the Full Board Item 5

Discussion of Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter B, Graduation Requirements

November 17, 2021

COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION

SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the committee to discuss proposed amendments to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter B, Graduation Requirements. The proposed amendments would update the high school graduation requirements to align with Senate Bill (SB) 369 and 1063, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021; update course titles; add new courses to satisfy specific graduation requirements; and make technical edits.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §§7.102(c)(4); 28.025(a), (b-1), as amended by SB 1063, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, (b-3), (b-14), (b-17), (c), (c-1), and (c-2); and 28.0256(a) and (b) and (d), as amended by SB 369, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021.

TEC, §7.102(c)(4), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to establish curriculum and graduation requirements.

TEC, §28.025(a), requires the SBOE to determine by rule the curriculum requirements for the foundation high school program that are consistent with the required curriculum and requires the SBOE to designate specific courses that are required for the foundation high school program.

TEC, §28.025(b-1), as amended by SB 1063, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, requires the SBOE to determine by rule specific courses for graduation under the foundation high school program.

TEC, §28.025(b-3), requires the SBOE to approve a variety of advanced English, mathematics, and science courses that can be taken to fulfill the foundation high school program.

TEC, §28.025(b-14), requires the SBOE to allow a student receiving special education services to substitute the languages other than English requirement with two credits in English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies or two credits in career and technology education, technology applications, or other academic electives.

TEC, §28.025(b-17), requires the SBOE to adopt rules that ensure a student who successfully completes an advanced career and technical education course, including a course that may lead to an industry-recognized credential or certificate or an associate degree may comply with elective requirements for graduation.

TEC, §28.025(c), requires that, in order to receive a high school diploma, a student must complete the curriculum requirements identified by the SBOE and comply with the financial aid application requirement in accordance with TEC, §28.0256.

TEC, §28.025(c-1), requires the SBOE to adopt rules regarding earning an endorsement.

TEC, §28.025(c-2), requires the SBOE to adopt rules for earning an endorsement that include four credits in mathematics and four credits in science.

TEC, §28.0256(a), requires each student to complete and submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) or a Texas application for state financial aid (TASFA) before graduating from high school.

TEC, §28.0256(b), provides an exception to students to opt out of the financial aid application requirement under TEC, §28.0256(a), by submitting a form signed by a parent, guardian, or student aged 18 years old or older, that authorizes the student to decline to comply with the financial aid application graduation requirement. A high school counselor may also authorize a student to decline to comply with the financial aid application graduation requirement for good cause.

TEC, §28.0256(d), as amended by SB 369, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, specifies that if a school counselor notifies a school district whether a student has complied with the requirement under TEC, §28.0256(a) or (b), the school counselor may only indicate whether the student has complied with this section and may not indicate the manner in which the student complied. A school counselor may not indicate that a student has not complied with the requirement if the school district or charter school fails to provide the form.

The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.

FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: The proposed amendments to Chapter 74, Subchapter B, will be presented for first reading and filing authorization at the January 2022 SBOE meeting.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: SB 1063, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, amended TEC, §28.025(b-1), to add personal financial literacy and economics as an option to satisfy graduation requirements for social studies under the foundation high school program. Section 74.12 would be updated to add the new credit option.

At the November 2020 SBOE meeting, the board approved for second reading and final adoption 19 TAC Chapter 116, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Physical Education. The effective date for the new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for physical education is August 1, 2022. The board approved the inclusion of new TEKS for three new high school physical education courses in Lifetime Fitness and Wellness Pursuits, Lifetime Recreation and Outdoor Pursuits, and Skill-based Lifetime Activities that will replace Foundations of Personal Fitness, Adventure/Outdoor Education, Aerobic Activities, and Team or Individual Sports. Section 74.12 would be updated to add the new physical education courses to satisfy specific graduation requirements.

At the June 2021 SBOE meeting, the board approved for second reading and final adoption 19 TAC §112.51, Specialized Topics in Science, with an effective date of August 1, 2022. The board also amended the title of the Earth and Space Science course to Earth Systems Science. Section 74.12 and §74.13 would be updated to add the new course and update the course title to satisfy specific graduation requirements.

At the September 2021 SBOE meeting, the board began revising career and technical education (CTE) courses currently codified in 19 TAC Chapter 130. Due to the current structure of Chapter 130, there are not enough section numbers available to add all of the proposed new courses in their assigned subchapters. To accommodate the addition of these new courses and future courses, it is recommended that the CTE TEKS in Chapter 130 be moved to existing 19 TAC Chapter 127, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career Development, and that the chapter be renamed "Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career Development and Career and Technical Education." The move of CTE subchapters from Chapter 130 to Chapter 127 will take place over time as the TEKS in each subchapter are revised. The board approved new 19 TAC Chapter 127, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career Development, Subchapters G, I, J, M, and O, for first reading and filing authorization at the September 2021 SBOE meeting. Section 74.11 and §74.13 would be updated to reflect the move of CTE TEKS from Chapter 130 to Chapter 127 as well as the proposed new title for Chapter 127.

The attachment to this item reflects the text of proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter B, for consideration by the SBOE for discussion.

Staff Members Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner, Standards and Support Services
Shelly Ramos, Senior Director, Curriculum Standards and Student Support

Attachment:
Text of Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter B, Graduation Requirements