APPLIED SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS COURSES

(a) In this section, "applied STEM course" means an applied science, technology, engineering, or mathematics course offered as part of a school district's career and technology education or technology applications curriculum. Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 211 (H.B. 5), Sec. 19 (b) The State Board of Education shall establish a process under which an applied STEM course may be reviewed and approved for purposes of satisfying the mathematics and science curriculum requirements for the foundation high school program under Section 28.025 through substitution of the applied STEM course for a specific mathematics or science course otherwise required under the foundation high school program. The State Board of Education may only approve a course to substitute for a science course taken after successful completion of biology. Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 214 (H.B. 2201), Sec. 3 (b) The State Board of Education shall establish a process under which an applied STEM course may be reviewed and approved for purposes of satisfying the mathematics and science curriculum requirements for the recommended high school program imposed under Section 28.025(b-1)(1)(A) through substitution of the applied STEM course for a specific mathematics or science course otherwise required under the recommended high school program. The State Board of Education may only approve a course to substitute for a mathematics course taken after successful completion of Algebra I and geometry. The State Board of Education may only approve a course to substitute for a science course taken after successful completion of biology. (c) The process must provide that an applied STEM course is entitled to be approved for the purpose described by Subsection (b) if the course meets the following requirements: (1) the applied STEM course is part of a curriculum created by a recognized national or international business and industry group to prepare a student for a national or international business and industry certification or license; (2) the applied STEM course qualifies as: (A) a dual credit course; or (B) an articulated postsecondary course provided for local credit or articulated postsecondary advanced technical credit course provided for state credit; (3) the essential knowledge and skills covered in the applied STEM course are equivalent to the essential knowledge and skills covered in the mathematics or science course for which the applied STEM course is proposed to be approved for substitution; and (4) the applied STEM course: (A) provides substantial mathematics content or science content, as applicable, taught in an applied or symbolic format, that enables a student to develop relevant critical thinking skills necessary for preparation for employment or additional training in a career identified by the Texas Workforce Commission as a high-demand or emerging occupation; and (B) incorporates college and career readiness skills. (d) If an applied STEM course approved under this section is part of a coherent sequence of career and technology courses, a student is eligible to enroll in the applied STEM course for the purpose described in Subsection (b) only if the student has completed the prerequisite course work, if any, for the applied STEM course.