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. Innovative courses may not meet any other specific graduation requirement. 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 2023–2024 (PDF)

Complete course descriptions and requirements are available for download in the list of approved innovative courses shown above or 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 August 14, 2023.

Retired Innovative Courses

Beginning with the 2023–2024 school year, the following innovative courses will no longer be available for statewide elective credit.

List of Retired Innovative Courses, Effective September 1, 2023 (PDF, 91KB)

Innovative Course Approval Process

The Texas Education Agency is no longer accepting innovative course applications for the 2023–2024 application cycle. Interested applicants for the 2024–2025 innovative course approval cycle may reference the supporting materials below as a reference. Please note that the materials and application may change for the 2024–2025 innovative course application cycle.

Questions related to innovative courses or the approval process may be directed to Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division by submitting a TEA Help Desk Ticket or contacting the innovative course inbox at innovative.courses@tea.texas.gov.

Expiring Innovative Courses

The list of expiring innovative courses for the 2023-2024 school year is pending and has not yet been published. When available, updates regarding the list of expiring courses will be posted on this webpage.

Questions related to innovative courses or the approval process may be directed to Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division by submitting a TEA Help Desk Ticket or contacting the innovative course inbox at innovative.courses@tea.texas.gov.

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