November 18, 2025 Committee of the Full Board Item 4
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; Subchapter J, Health Science; and Subchapter O, Manufacturing
(Second Reading and Final Adoption)
November 21, 2025
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: This item presents for second reading and final adoption proposed new 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 127, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career Development and Career and Technical Education, Subchapter F, Business, Marketing, and Finance; Subchapter J, Health Science; and Subchapter O, Manufacturing. The proposed new rules would add new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) developed by subject matter experts convened by the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) and Education Service Center (ESC) Region 4 that are needed for completion of career and technical education (CTE) programs of study. No changes are recommended since approved for first reading.
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 links above.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The proposed effective date of the proposed new sections is 20 days after filing as adopted with the Texas Register. Under TEC, §7.102(f), the SBOE must approve the rule action at second reading and final adoption by a vote of two-thirds of its members to specify an effective date earlier than the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year. The earlier effective date will enable districts to begin preparing for the implementation of the new TEKS.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The SBOE adopted the TEKS for all subjects effective September 1, 1998. The CTE TEKS were amended effective August 23, 2010. The CTE TEKS were again amended effective August 28, 2017. CTE TEKS for courses in education and training; health science; and science, technology, and mathematics (STEM) were amended effective April 26, 2022; June 14, 2022; and August 7, 2022. In November 2023, the SBOE adopted new TEKS for CTE career preparation and entrepreneurship courses to be implemented in the 2024-2025 school year. In April 2024, the SBOE adopted new CTE TEKS for courses in the agribusiness, animal science, plant science, and aviation maintenance programs of study as well as two STEM courses effective August 1, 2025. In April 2025, the SBOE adopted TEKS in the CTE engineering career cluster and for a set of state-approved innovative courses in CTE career clusters for agriculture, food, and natural resources; business, marketing, and finance; health science; hospitality and tourism; information technology; and law and public service, also effective August 1, 2025. At the June 2025 meeting, the SBOE approved for first reading and filing authorization the proposed new courses in 19 TAC Chapter 127, Subchapters F, J, and O. A discussion item regarding proposed new CTE TEKS in occupational safety and compliance and courses in the career cluster for fire science was presented to the Committee of the Full Board at the September 2025 SBOE meeting.
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 completed 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 with its approval of new engineering TEKS for adoption in April 2025.
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 two STEM courses that may satisfy science graduation requirements, Physics for Engineering and Scientific Research and Design. 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.
A discussion item regarding proposed new CTE TEKS for courses in the Arts, Audio Visual Technology, and Communications; Business, Marketing, and Finance; Health Science; Law and Public Service; Manufacturing; and Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics Career Clusters was presented to the Committee of the Full Board at the January 2025 SBOE meeting, and the subject matter experts convened to complete final recommendations for the proposed new courses. At the June 2025 meeting, the SBOE approved for first reading and filing authorization new CTE TEKS for courses in the Business, Marketing, and Finance; Health Science; and Manufacturing Career Clusters for implementation in the 2026-2027 school year.
This item presents proposed new CTE TEKS for 19 TAC Chapter 127, Subchapters F, J, and O, for second reading and final adoption. The proposal would ensure the standards for these career clusters support relevant and meaningful programs of study. The attachments to this item reflect the text of the proposed new TEKS.
Proposed new TEKS for CTE courses in 19 TAC Chapter 127, Subchapter B, High School, and Subchapter N, Law and Public Service, is presented for first reading and filing authorization as a separate item in this agenda.
FISCAL IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
TEA has determined that for the first five years the proposal is in effect (2025-2029), there are no additional costs to state government. However, in fiscal year 2025 there was a cost to the state of approximately $285,000 to secure contracts for the development of the proposed new CTE TEKS. In addition, there will be implications for TEA if the state develops professional development to help teachers and administrators understand the revised TEKS. Any professional development that is created would be based on whether TEA received an appropriation for professional development in the next biennium.
There may be fiscal implications for school districts and charter schools to implement the proposed new TEKS, which may include the need for professional development and revisions to district-developed databases, curriculum, and scope and sequence documents. Since curriculum and instruction decisions are made at the local district level, it is difficult to estimate the fiscal impact on any given district.
LOCAL EMPLOYMENT IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal has no effect on local economy; therefore, no local employment impact statement is required under Texas Government Code, §2001.022.
SMALL BUSINESS, MICROBUSINESS, AND RURAL COMMUNITY IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal has no direct adverse economic impact for small businesses, microbusinesses, or rural communities; therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis specified in Texas Government Code, §2006.002, is required.
COST INCREASE TO REGULATED PERSONS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal does not impose a cost on regulated persons, another state agency, a special district, or a local government and, therefore, is not subject to Texas Government Code, §2001.0045.
TAKINGS IMPACT ASSESSMENT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal does not impose a burden on private real property and, therefore, does not constitute a taking under Texas Government Code, §2007.043.
GOVERNMENT GROWTH IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
TEA staff prepared a Government Growth Impact Statement assessment for this proposed rulemaking. During the first five years the proposed rulemaking would be in effect, it would create new regulations by proposing new CTE TEKS required to be taught by school districts and charter schools offering the courses.
The proposed rulemaking would not create or eliminate a government program; would not require the creation of new employee positions or elimination of existing employee positions; would not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; would not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; would not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to its applicability; and would not positively or adversely affect the state's economy.
PUBLIC BENEFIT AND COST TO PERSONS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal would add course options for students to support relevant and meaningful programs of study. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposal.
DATA AND REPORTING IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
The proposal would have no data or reporting impact.
PRINCIPAL AND CLASSROOM TEACHER PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed.
TEA has determined that the proposal would not require a written report or other paperwork to be completed by a principal or classroom teacher.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Following the September 2025 SBOE meeting, notice of proposed new
19 TAC Chapter 127, Subchapters F, J, and O, was filed with the Texas Register, initiating the public comment period. The public comment period on the proposal began on October 10, 2025, and ended at 5:00 p.m. on November 10, 2025. No comments had been received at the time this item was prepared. A summary of public comments received will be provided to the SBOE prior to and during the November 2025 meeting. The SBOE will take registered oral and written comments on the proposal at the appropriate committee meeting in November 2025 in accordance with the SBOE board operating policies and procedures.
MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:
Approve for second reading and final adoption 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; Subchapter J, Health Science; and Subchapter O, Manufacturing; and;
Make an affirmative finding that immediate adoption 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; Subchapter J, Health Science; and Subchapter O, Manufacturing, is necessary and shall have an effective date of 20 days after filing with the Texas Register. (Per TEC, §7.102(f), a vote of two-thirds of the members of the board is necessary for an earlier effective date.)
Staff Members Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner, Standards and Programs
Jessica Snyder, Senior Director, Curriculum Standards and Student Support
Attachment I:
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
Attachment II:
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
Attachment III:
Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 127, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career Development and Career and Technical Education, Subchapter O, Manufacturing