January 29, 2025 Committee of the Full Board Item 9
Discussion of Proposed New Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Certain Career and Technical Education Courses
January 29, 2025
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the board to discuss proposed new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for career and technical education (CTE) courses developed in partnership with the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) and Educational Service Center (ESC) Region 4 that are needed for completion of programs of study. The proposed rule action would add new TEKS for courses in the following CTE career clusters: Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications; Health Science; Manufacturing; and Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §§7.102(c)(4); 28.002(a), (c), (n), and (o); and 28.025(a) and (b-17).
TEC, §7.102(c)(4), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to establish curriculum and graduation requirements.
TEC, §28.002(a), identifies the subjects of the required curriculum.
TEC, §28.002(c), requires the SBOE to identify by rule the essential knowledge and skills of each subject in the required curriculum that all students should be able to demonstrate and that will be used in evaluating instructional materials and addressed on the state assessment instruments.
TEC, §28.002(n), allows the SBOE to develop by rule and implement a plan designed to incorporate foundation curriculum requirements into the CTE curriculum required in TEC, §28.002.
TEC, §28.002(o), requires the SBOE to determine that at least 50% of the approved CTE courses are cost effective for a school district to implement.
TEC, §28.025(a), requires the SBOE to determine by rule the curriculum requirements for the foundation high school graduation program that are consistent with the required curriculum under TEC, §28.002.
TEC, §28.025(b-17), requires the SBOE to ensure by rule that a student may comply with curriculum requirements under TEC, §28.025(b-1)(6), by successfully completing an advanced CTE course, including a course that may lead to an industry-recognized credential or certificate or an associate degree.
The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: In accordance with statutory requirements that the SBOE identify by rule the essential knowledge and skills of each subject in the required curriculum, the SBOE follows a board-approved cycle to review and revise the essential knowledge and skills for each subject.
During the November 2022 meeting, the SBOE approved a timeline for the review of CTE courses for 2022-2025. Also at the meeting, the SBOE approved a specific process to be used in the review and revision of the CTE TEKS. The CTE-specific process largely follows the process for TEKS review for other subject areas but was adjusted to account for differences specific to CTE.
In 2023, CTE advisory committees convened to make recommendations for the review and refresh of programs of study as required by the Texas Perkins State Plan. Finalized programs of study were published in the fall of 2023 with an implementation date beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. CTE courses to be developed or revised to complete or update programs of study were determined.
At the April 2023 SBOE meeting, the board discussed and approved changes to the TEKS review process, including approving a process for selecting work group members. The changes were implemented beginning with the engineering TEKS review process. The SBOE began the review of current CTE TEKS, the development of new CTE TEKS, and the review of innovative courses to be approved as TEKS for courses in the new engineering program of study in 2024. Proposed new engineering CTE TEKS are presented for first reading and filing authorization as a separate item in this agenda.
At the April 2024 meeting, the SBOE approved new TEKS for 23 courses in the agribusiness, animal science, plant science, and aviation maintenance programs of study as well as Physics for Engineering and Scientific Research and Design, two science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses that may satisfy science graduation requirements. Additionally, Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff shared an overview of upcoming interrelated needs for TEKS review and revision and instructional materials review and approval (IMRA). Staff explained upcoming needs related to development and amendment of CTE courses, made recommendations for completing the work in batches, and recommended including CTE in the next three cycles of IMRA.
At the June 2024 meeting, the board considered next steps related to the adoption of CTE courses that are needed to complete programs of study and a schedule for future CTE TEKS reviews. The SBOE approved recommendations that TEA present a set of innovative courses with minor edits for consideration for adoption as TEKS-based courses. Additionally, the SBOE authorized TEA to enter into interagency contracts with Collin College, Texas State Technical College, and ESC Region 4 to develop initial drafts of TEKS for the CTE courses.
This item provides an opportunity to discuss initial drafts of proposed new TEKS for CTE courses developed in partnership with TSTC and ESC Region 4 that are needed for completion of programs of study. The development includes a combination of new CTE TEKS and the review of innovative courses to be approved as TEKS-based courses.
Staff Members Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner, Standards and Programs
Jessica Snyder, Senior Director, Curriculum Standards and Student Support
Separate Exhibits:
I. Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 127, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career
Development and Career and Technical Education, Subchapter D, Arts, Audio/Visual Technology,
and Communications
II. Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 127, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career
Development and Career and Technical Education, Subchapter F, Business, Marketing, and Finance
III. Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 127, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career
Development and Career and Technical Education, Subchapter J, Health Science
IV. Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 127, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career
Development and Career and Technical Education, Subchapter N, Law and Public Service
V. Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 127, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career
Development and Career and Technical Education, Subchapter O, Manufacturing
VI. Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 127, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career
Development and Career and Technical Education, Subchapter P, Transportation, Distribution, and
Logistics
(separate exhibits I-VI to be provided in advance of the January 2025 SBOE meeting)