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; and

(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.

(c) The commissioner of education and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board by rule shall establish the composition and duties of the vertical teams established under this section.

(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).

(d-1) Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, the State Board of Education shall incorporate college readiness standards and expectations into the essential knowledge and skills of the foundation curriculum under Section 28.002(a)(1) for courses in which students in grades nine through 12 generally enroll, as determined by board rule. This subsection expires December 1, 2012.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the State Board of Education retains its authority under Section 28.002 concerning the required curriculum.

(f) Not later than September 1, 2011, the vertical teams shall complete the development of or establish minimum standards for the curricula and related materials under Subsection (b)(5). The vertical teams shall develop or establish minimum standards for the English language arts curricula and materials first, followed by mathematics, science, and social studies, respectively. The vertical teams shall complete the development of or establish minimum standards for the English language arts curricula and materials for approval by the State Board of Education not later than June 1, 2009. The English language arts curricula and online materials must be made available to high school students beginning with the 2009 fall semester, with the mathematics, science, and social studies curricula and online materials respectively becoming available each subsequent fall semester. This subsection expires December 1, 2012.

(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 , Sec. 5.01, eff. May 31, 2006. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1058 , Sec. 7, eff. June 15, 2007.