School districts must partner with a higher education institution to offer college preparatory math and English courses, notify eligible students and parents, and help develop materials.
Sec. 28.014. COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSES. (a) Each school district shall partner with at least one institution of higher education to develop and provide courses in college preparatory mathematics and English language arts. The courses must be designed: (1) for students at the 12th grade level whose performance on: (A) an end-of-course assessment instrument required under Section 39.023(c) does not meet college readiness standards; or (B) coursework, a college entrance examination, or an assessment instrument designated under Section 51.334 indicates that the student is not ready to perform entry-level college coursework; and (2) to prepare students for success in entry-level college courses. (b) A course developed under this section must be provided: (1) on the campus of the high school offering the course; or (2) through distance learning or as an online course provided through an institution of higher education with which the school district partners as provided by Subsection (a). (c) Appropriate faculty of each high school offering courses under this section and appropriate faculty of each institution of higher education with which the school district partners shall meet regularly as necessary to ensure that each course is aligned with college readiness expectations. The commissioner of education, in coordination with the commissioner of higher education, may adopt rules to administer this subsection. (d) Each school district shall provide a notice to each district student to whom Subsection (a) applies and the student's parent or guardian regarding the benefits of enrolling in a course under this section. (e) A student who successfully completes an English language arts course developed under this section may use the credit earned in the course toward satisfying the advanced English language arts curriculum requirement for the foundation high school program under Section 28.025(b-1)(1). A student who successfully completes a mathematics course developed under this section may use the credit earned in the course toward satisfying an advanced mathematics curriculum requirement under Section 28.025 after completion of the mathematics curriculum requirements for the foundation high school program under Section 28.025(b-1)(2). (f) A course provided under this section may be offered for dual credit at the discretion of the institution of higher education with which a school district partners under this section. (g) Each school district, in consultation with each institution of higher education with which the district partners, shall develop or purchase instructional materials for a course developed under this section consistent with Chapter 31. The instructional materials must include technology resources that enhance the effectiveness of the course and draw on established best practices. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1058 (H.B. 2237), Sec. 8(a), eff. June 15, 2007. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 895 (H.B. 3), Sec. 27, eff. June 19, 2009. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 211 (H.B. 5), Sec. 10(a), eff. June 10, 2013. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 842 (H.B. 2223), Sec. 2.01, eff. June 15, 2017.