Innovative Courses
Innovative courses allow districts to offer state-approved innovative courses to enable students to master knowledge, skills, and competencies not included in the essential knowledge and skills of the required curriculum (Texas Administrative Code [TAC] Section 74.27). The State Board of Education (SBOE) may approve any course that does not fall within any of the subject areas listed in the foundation and enrichment curricula. The commissioner of education may approve a course within the foundation or enrichment curriculum if the proposed course is academically rigorous and addresses documented student needs.
Approved Innovative Courses
With the approval of the local board of trustees, school districts and charter schools may offer any state-approved innovative course for state elective credit only. A district does not need to apply to the agency to offer an approved innovative course.Innovative courses are approved to meet certain endorsement requirements on the Foundation High School Program.
List of Approved Innovative Courses 2019-2020 (PDF)
Complete course descriptions are available for download from one of the content-area pages listed below. Course descriptions include the knowledge and skills for the course, suggested activities, suggested resources and materials, and approved educator certifications. The lists have been updated as of July 1, 2019.
Career and Technical Education
Foundation (Bilingual/ESL, English Language Arts and Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies)
Enrichment (Fine Arts, Health, Physical Education, Technology Applications)
Organizations Other Than School Districts
2020-2021 Course Approval Process
The window to apply for innovative courses for the 2020-2021 academic year is now closed.
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| December 13, 2019 | Phase One: renewal and early applications due |
Applications requiring SBOE approval may be scheduled to go before the SBOE at the January 2020 meeting. |
|
| January 17, 2020 | Phase Two: new course applications due |
Applications requiring SBOE approval will be scheduled to go before the SBOE at the April 2020 meeting. |
|
| May 1, 2020 | Course approval issued |
Applicants will receive notice of approval no later than May 1, 2020. |
|
| July 15, 2020 | Approved list published |
The updated approved innovative courses list, including PEIMS codes, will publish to the Innovative Courses webpage. |
|
Expiring Innovative Courses
The following list of courses will expire at the end of the 2019-2020 school year. The applicants who previously applied for the courses will be given the first opportunity to renew the courses. If a district chooses not to renew its application, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will open the application process to other interested districts.
List of Expiring Innovative Courses 2019–2020 (PDF)
Questions related to innovative courses or the approval process, may be directed to Kelsey Kling, Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division, by phone at (512) 463-9581 or by email at innovative.courses@tea.texas.gov.
Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division
curriculum@tea.texas.gov
(512) 463-9581