CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
HB20
APPLIED SCIENCES PATHWAY PROGRAM
Effective for the 2025-26 School Year
• Establishes the Applied Sciences Pathway Program and requires the Commissioner to approve program participation between districts and institutions of higher education
• Allows 11th and 12th grade students to concurrently earn a high school diploma and a certificate from a higher education institution in high-wage, high-growth industries such as plumbing and pipe fitting, electrical, welding, sheet metal, carpentry, masonry, diesel and heavy equipment, aviation maintenance, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, construction management and inspection, mechanical and aerospace engineering, industrial maintenance and processes, robotics and automation, information technology and cybersecurity, oil and gas exploration and production, refining and chemical processes, transportation distribution and logistics, manufacturing and industrial technology, electronics technology, or automotive technology
• Requires participating districts to partner with higher education institutions to offer nonduplicative, progressive course sequences that allow a student to earn a level one or a level two certificate or credential of value
• Authorizes the commissioner of education to approve partnerships, adopt rules for program administration, and revise the list of eligible industries every five years beginning in the 2027-28 school year
• Allows the Commissioner to approve certain CTE courses as a substitute for high school credits if TEKS requirements are met
• Counts participating students as full-time for funding purposes
• Expires September 1, 2031
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