Discussion of High School Graduation Requirements and Career and Technical Education
January 30, 2013
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for the board to discuss the high school graduation requirements and additional career and technical education course options that might satisfy certain graduation requirements.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §§7.102(c)(4), §28.002, and 28.025.
BOARD RESPONSE: This item is presented for review and comment.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The State Board of Education (SBOE) adopted rules in 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter F, to be effective September 1, 2005. Amendments to this subchapter were adopted to be effective December 25, 2007; January 9, 2007; and August 23, 2010. The SBOE adopted rules in 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter G, to be effective May 30, 2012.
FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: At the direction of the board, proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter G, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2012-2013, could be presented for first reading and filing authorization at the next scheduled SBOE meeting.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The 81st Texas Legislature, 2009, passed House Bill (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. The amendments also allowed three Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses to count for the fourth mathematics credit for 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.
The amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter G, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2012-2013, adopted by the SBOE in January 2012, included changes to update the graduation requirements to align with legislation passed by the 82nd Texas Legislature, allowed additional courses to satisfy certain graduation requirements, and provided additional clarification regarding requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT: Fiscal impact will be assessed after the SBOE gives direction regarding proposed amendments to bring forward for first reading and filing authorization.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Benefits include added flexibility for students regardless of the graduation program they select.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: Implications will be assessed after the SBOE gives direction regarding proposed amendments to bring forward for first reading and filing authorization.
LOCALLY MAINTAINED PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: Paperwork requirements will be assessed after the SBOE gives direction regarding proposed amendments to bring forward for first reading and filing authorization.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: None.
Staff Members Responsible:
Anita Givens, Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs
Monica Martinez, Managing Director
Curriculum
Attachments:
I. Statutory Citations (PDF, 22KB)
II. Text of Current 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter G, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2012-2013 (PDF, 266KB)