Proposed Approval of Innovative Courses
January 21, 2011
COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: This item recommends approval of innovative courses that do not fall within any of the subject areas of the foundation or enrichment curriculum.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.002(f).
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The State Board of Education (SBOE) adopted 19 TAC §74.27, Innovative Courses and Programs, to be effective September 1, 1996, with amendments to be effective September 1, 1998. In November 2007, the SBOE adopted additional amendments to 19 TAC §74.27, to be effective December 25, 2007.
In May 1998, the SBOE approved nine innovative courses that do not fall within any of the subject areas of the foundation or enrichment curriculum; in May 1999, approved four courses; in May 2000, approved six courses; in May 2001, approved eleven courses; in May 2002, approved eight courses; in July 2003, approved seven courses; in May 2004, approved the renewal of nine courses and approved one new course; in April 2005, approved the renewal of two courses; in April 2006, approved the renewal of five courses; in July 2007, approved the renewal of six courses and approved three new courses; in May 2008, approved the renewal of one course. In July 2009, the SBOE approved a one-year extension of the approval of three courses submitted for renewal and approved two new courses for one year. In May 2010, the SBOE approved the renewal of four courses. In July 2010, the SBOE approved one new course.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: After the board adopted new rules concerning graduation requirements, the experimental courses previously approved were phased out as of August 31, 1998. As a result of the adoption of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), districts now submit new requests for innovative course approval for courses that do not have TEKS.
The process outlined in 19 TAC §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.
House Bill 3, passed by the 81st Texas Legislature, 2009, changed graduation requirements, including increasing the number of state elective credits to provide students with additional flexibility.
The timeline for review and approval of innovative course applications has been moved up by several months to allow districts sufficient time to schedule students in newly approved innovative courses. A brief description of the courses submitted for SBOE review and consideration will be provided to SBOE members at the January meeting. If approved, the recommended effective date for the courses would be August 22, 2011. The courses would be available for school districts' use with local school board approval.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Students would have access to courses that meet local district needs.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: None.
COMMISSIONER'S RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that the State Board of Education:
Approve the innovative courses that do not fall within any of the subject areas of the foundation or enrichment curriculum as shown in the separate exhibit.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Scott
Commissioner of Education
Staff Members Responsible:
Anita Givens, Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs
Norma Torres-Martinez, Deputy Associate Commissioner
Standards and Alignment
Monica Martinez, Managing Director
Curriculum
Attachments:
I. Statutory Citation
II. Text of 19 TAC §74.27, Innovative Courses and Programs
Separate Exhibit:
Innovative Courses Recommended for Approval
(to be provided at the January SBOE meeting)