SBOE Adjusts Graduation and Course Offering Requirements
Last week, the State Board of Education (SBOE) added a requirement in 19 TAC Chapter 74.3(b)(2)(c) that districts must offer at least two additional science courses chosen from the list of courses that satisfy the fourth credit requirement, including approved CTE courses. The previous rule required districts to offer at least one additional science course. Districts with a total high school enrollment of fewer than 500 students may appeal to the Commissioner to reduce the offering to one additional science course.
The SBOE made changes to graduation requirements in new 19 TAC Chapter 74.G for students beginning with the 2012-2013 school year pursuant to legislation passed by the 82nd Texas Legislature. The changes allow the 4th required math credit to be taken after successful completion of Alegbra 1, Geometry and either after or concurrently with Algebra II in both Recommended and Distinguished plans, providing more flexibility for students. The 4th required science credit available through CTE may be taken after successful completion of Biology, Chemistry and either after or concurrently with Physics in both the Recommended and Distinguished plans.
Additionally, the SBOE ruled that students may not satisfy the one required Fine Art credit with two half credit courses.
Follow this link to see the rule changes. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=2386
Background
The 81st Texas Legislature, 2009, passed HB 3, amending the TEC, §28.025, to increase flexibility in graduation requirements for students. While HB 3 removed SBOE authority to designate a specific course or a specific number of credits in the enrichment curriculum as requirements for the Recommended High School Program, the SBOE retains authority in the foundation and enrichment curriculum for the Minimum High School Program and the Distinguished Achievement Program.
In January 2010, the SBOE adopted amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter F, to incorporate changes to high school graduation programs in light of new graduation requirements from HB 3. In addition, the amendments allowed three career and technical education (CTE) courses to count for the fourth mathematics credit under the Recommended High School Program and two CTE courses to count for the fourth mathematics credit under the Distinguished Achievement Program. The SBOE approved changes allowing five new CTE courses to count for the fourth science credit under the Recommended High School Program and Distinguished Achievement Program. Additionally, changes were adopted allowing the Professional Communications course to satisfy the speech graduation requirement and the Principles and Elements of Floral Design course to satisfy the fine arts graduation credit.
In January 2011, the SBOE approved a new course, Advanced Quantitative Reasoning, to satisfy the fourth mathematics graduation requirement. In April 2011, the SBOE adopted revisions to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills in technology applications. The adopted changes allow Digital Art and Animation and 3-D Modeling and Animation to satisfy the fine arts graduation requirement.
The 82nd Texas Legislature, 2011, passed legislation impacting SBOE rules, including provisions relating to high school graduation requirements for a student who is unable to participate in physical activity due to disability or illness and inclusion of certain career and technical education courses as options for satisfying certain mathematics and science graduation requirements.
In November 2011, the SBOE approved for first reading and filing authorization proposed amendments to 19 TAC §74.1 and §74.3 and proposed new 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter G, that would update and clarify school district requirements and graduation requirements beginning with students entering Grade 9 in the 2012-2013 school year. Prior to filing as proposed with the Texas Register, technical corrections were made in proposed new Subchapter G to conform with statutory requirements. Subsection (b)(2)(C), relating to mathematics, and subsection (b)(3)(C), relating to science, in proposed new 19 TAC §74.73 and §74.74 were corrected to incorporate language from the TEC, §28.025(b-2), as amended by Senate Bill 1620, 82nd Texas Legislature, 2011.