Discussion of Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter E, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2004-2005, and Subchapter F, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2007-2008
September 16, 2009
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for the board to discuss proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter E, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2004-2005, and Subchapter F, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2007-2008. The board will have the opportunity to discuss courses that might be considered for fourth mathematics and/or science credit; adjustments to requirements for physical education credit and substitutions, including athletics; and any other adjustments that might be necessary as a result of recent legislation.
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 E, to be effective December 7, 2003. Section 74.51, High School Graduation Requirements, has not been amended since adoption. Sections 74.52, Minimum High School Program, 74.53, Recommended High School Program, and 74.54, Distinguished Achievement High School Program--Advanced High School Program, were last amended to be effective August 8, 2006.
The SBOE adopted rules in 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter F, to be effective September 1, 2005. Section 74.61, High School Graduation Requirements, was last amended to be effective December 25, 2007. Section 74.62, Minimum High School Program, has not been amended since adoption. Sections 74.63, Recommended High School Program, and 74.64, Distinguished Achievement High School Program--Advanced High School Program, were last amended to be effective January 9, 2007.
Discussion items regarding the graduation programs were presented to the Committee of the Full Board during the November 2008 and January, March, and July 2009 meetings. The SBOE conducted a work session on August 14, 2009 to consider possible amendments to the high school graduation programs and to provide guidance to agency staff regarding possible amendments.
FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: At the direction of the board, proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter E, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2004-2005, and Subchapter F, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2007-2008, could be presented for first reading and filing authorization at the next scheduled SBOE meeting.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter F, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2007-2008, adopted by the SBOE in November 2006, included changes to reflect the four years of mathematics and science graduation requirements of House Bill 1, 79th Texas Legislature, Third Called Session, 2006. These changes only applied to the Recommended High School and Distinguished Achievement Programs found in 19 TAC §74.63 and 19 TAC §74.64. The amendment to 19 TAC §74.61, adopted by the SBOE in November 2007, established in rule a grandfather clause for students who took Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC) in Grade 8 during the 2006-2007 school year that would allow IPC to count as one of the four years of science for students who took IPC in 2006-2007 prior to entering Grade 9 in 2007-2008. The board discussed the need to increase flexibility for students who graduate under the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program and who have interest in pursuing fine arts, career and technical education, or other elective programs.
The 80th Texas Legislature, 2007, passed House Bill (HB) 3485, adding the TEC, §28.0022, requiring the agency to establish a panel to review and recommend revisions to the CTE curriculum. HB 3485 further requires the SBOE to allow a student to comply with the curriculum requirements for a mathematics course taken after the successful completion of an Algebra II course or for a science course taken after the successful completion of a physics course by successfully completing an advanced career and technical course designated by the SBOE as containing substantively similar and rigorous academic content. A student may use this option for not more than two courses. New 19 TAC Chapter 130, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education, was approved for second reading and final adoption at the July 2009 meeting.
At the January 2009 meeting the SBOE was presented with options for awarding credit toward graduation for athletics that included: (1) allowing students to earn four credits toward graduation for athletics, but the final two credits would have to be earned for the extracurricular activity offered outside the regular school day; (2) expanding the number of Physical Education (PE) credits allowed toward graduation to four; (3) allowing districts to submit an innovative course application for the third and fourth credits of athletics; (4) establishing Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for athletics courses; and (5) maintaining the current two equivalency credits for athletics. Explanations and implications for each option were provided to the board during the January meeting. After some discussion the SBOE voted to postpone action until March 2009. At the March 2009 meeting the SBOE voted to approve Option 2: expand the number of PE credits allowed toward graduation to four.
The 81st Texas Legislature, 2009, passed HB 3, amending the TEC, §28.025, to increase flexibility in graduation requirements for students. While HB 3 removes 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.
This item provides the opportunity to consider possible amendments to high school graduation programs in light of new graduation requirements in the TEC. The SBOE will also have the opportunity to provide guidance to agency staff regarding possible amendments relating to credits, substitutions, and other adjustments. Current rule text for 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapters E and F, is shown in Attachment II of this item.
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 and stronger alignment of requirements in all three graduation programs.
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: A public hearing regarding graduation requirements is included as a separate item in this agenda. In addition, two separate items presenting changes to rules relating to curriculum requirements in 19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter A and Subchapter C, are presented in this agenda.
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
Karen Batchelor, Acting Managing Director
Curriculum
Attachments:
I.Statutory Citations
II. Text of 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter E, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2004-2005, and Subchapter F, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2007-2008