The education commissioner, higher education commissioner, and related state education bodies must set up and use vertical teams to develop, review, and align college-readiness standards with public school curriculum requirements.
Sec. 28.008. ADVANCEMENT OF COLLEGE READINESS IN CURRICULUM. (a) To ensure that students are able to perform college-level course work at institutions of higher education, the commissioner of education and the commissioner of higher education shall establish vertical teams composed of public school educators and institution of higher education faculty. (b) The vertical teams shall: (1) recommend for approval by the commissioner of education and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board college readiness standards and expectations that address what students must know and be able to do to succeed in entry-level courses offered at institutions of higher education; (2) evaluate whether the high school curriculum requirements under Section 28.002 and other instructional requirements serve to prepare students to successfully perform college-level course work; (3) recommend how the public school curriculum requirements can be aligned with college readiness standards and expectations; (4) develop instructional strategies for teaching courses to prepare students to successfully perform college-level course work; (5) develop or establish minimum standards for curricula, professional development materials, and online support materials in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, designed for students who need additional assistance in preparing to successfully perform college-level course work; and (6) periodically review and revise the college readiness standards and expectations developed under Subdivision (1) and recommend revised standards for approval by the commissioner of education and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. (c) The commissioner of education and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board by rule shall: (1) establish the composition and duties of the vertical teams established under this section; and (2) establish a schedule for the periodic review required under Subsection (b)(6), giving consideration to the cycle of review and identification under Section 28.002 of the essential knowledge and skills of subjects of the required curriculum. (d) The State Board of Education shall incorporate college readiness standards and expectations approved by the commissioner of education and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under Subsection (b) into the essential knowledge and skills identified by the board under Section 28.002(c). The State Board of Education shall develop and by rule adopt a chart that clearly indicates the alignment of the college readiness standards and expectations with the essential knowledge and skills identified by the board under Section 28.002(c). (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the State Board of Education retains its authority under Section 28.002 concerning the required curriculum. (g) The agency shall coordinate with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as necessary in administering this section. Added by Acts 2006, 79th Leg., 3rd C.S., Ch. 5 (H.B. 1), Sec. 5.01, eff. May 31, 2006. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1058 (H.B. 2237), Sec. 7, eff. June 15, 2007. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1014 (H.B. 2549), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1036 (H.B. 1613), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2015.