Applied Sciences Pathway: diploma plus trade certificate in high school

The text as introduced · 682 words

89R3424 CMO-F

By: Gates
H.B. No. 20

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to establishing the Applied Sciences Pathway program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 29.914 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.914. APPLIED SCIENCES PATHWAY PROGRAM. (a) In this

section:

(1) "Certificate program" and "institution of higher

education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.

(2) "Program" means the Applied Sciences Pathway

program established under this section.

(b) The commissioner shall establish and administer the

Applied Sciences Pathway program to provide opportunities for

students to concurrently earn high school diplomas and certificates

from institutions of higher education.

(c) The commissioner shall approve for participation in the

program partnerships between school districts or open-enrollment

charter schools and institutions of higher education to provide

courses in a non-duplicative sequence of progressive achievement

that lead to:

(1) a high school diploma; and

(2) completion of a certificate program with a

successful job placement rate in high-wage, high-growth jobs in one

of the following industries:

(A) plumbing and pipe fitting;

(B) electrical;

(C) welding;

(D) sheet metal;

(E) carpentry;

(F) masonry;

(G) diesel and heavy equipment;

(H) aviation maintenance;

(I) heating, ventilation, and air conditioning;

or

(J) construction management and inspection.

(d) A partnership participating in the program must:

(1) enable the school district or open-enrollment

charter school to provide at least one course of study described by

Subsection (c) through a partnership with an institution of higher

education under the program;

(2) provide for a course of study described by

Subsection (c) that enables a participating student in grade level

11 or 12 to concurrently:

(A) enroll in a certificate program described by

Subsection (c)(2) at the partnering institution of higher education

under which the student may receive instruction from an instructor

employed by the institution and any appropriate work-based learning

opportunities from the institution and earn:

(i) a level one or level two certificate, as

defined by the commissioner; or

(ii) another certificate approved by

commissioner rule; and

(B) satisfy high school graduation requirements

and receive a high school diploma;

(3) require the partnering school district or

open-enrollment charter school to permit all district or school

students in grade level 11 or 12 to enroll in a course of study

provided under Subdivision (2);

(4) be governed by an articulation agreement between

the partnering school district or open-enrollment charter school

and institution of higher education; and

(5) meet any other requirements established by

commissioner rule.

(e) A course of study provided under the program must be

provided at no cost to the student.

(f) The commissioner may approve the substitution of one

credit in a subject area required for high school graduation under

Section 28.025 with one credit in a career and technology education

course provided by an institution of higher education under the

program that substantially covers the essential knowledge and

skills of the course for which it is substituted.

(g) A career and technology education course authorized as a

substitute credit under Subsection (f) may not count:

(1) for more than one credit toward the student's high

school graduation requirements; or

(2) as a credit for more than one subject area.

(h) Time that a student spends participating in the program

is counted as part of the minimum number of instructional hours

required for a student to be considered a full-time student in

average daily attendance for purposes of Section 48.005.

(i) Nothing in this section may be construed to prevent a

student's participation in career and technology education courses

before the student begins participating in the program.

(j) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to

administer the program.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026

school year.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.