June 2023 Committee on Instruction Item 2

Discussion of Possible Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter C, Other Provisions, §74.27, Innovative Courses and Programs

June 22, 2023

COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION

SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the committee to discuss a possible amendment to 119 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter C, Other Provisions, §74.27, Innovative Courses and Programs.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.002(f).

TEC, §28.002(f), authorizes local school districts to offer courses in addition to those in the required curriculum for local credit and requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to be flexible in approving a course for credit for high school graduation.

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

FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: A proposed amendment to §74.27 could be presented for first reading and filing authorization at the September 2023 SBOE meeting.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: After the SBOE adopted new rules concerning graduation requirements, the experimental courses previously approved were phased out as of August 31, 1998. Following the adoption of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), school districts now submit requests for innovative course approval for courses that do not have TEKS. The process outlined in §74.27 provides authority for the commissioner of education to approve discipline-based courses but reserves for SBOE review and approval those courses that do not fall within any of the subject areas of the foundation or enrichment curriculum.

Each year, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides the opportunity for school districts and other entities to submit applications for proposed innovative courses. The board last amended §74.27 in November 2022 to require that an applicant for an innovative course pilot the proposed course in a Texas school prior to seeking approval from the SBOE. At the April 2023 SBOE meeting, TEA staff provided an overview of the innovative course approval process, including key data related to historical implementation of innovative courses. The Committee on Instruction requested that an item be added to a future agenda for the committee to discuss the rule for innovative courses in §74.27.

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

Attachment:
Text of 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter C, Other Provisions, §74.27, Innovative Courses and Programs