(a) Each school district shall implement a program under which students may earn the equivalent of at least 12 semester credit hours of college credit in high school. On request, a public institution of higher education in this state shall assist a school district in developing and implementing the program. The college credit may be earned through:
(1) international baccalaureate, advanced placement, or dual credit courses;
(2) articulated postsecondary courses provided for local credit or articulated postsecondary advanced technical credit courses provided for state credit; or
(3) any combination of the courses described by Subdivisions (1) and (2).
(a-1) A program implemented under this section may provide a student the opportunity to earn credit for a course or activity, including an apprenticeship or training hours:
(1) that:
(A) satisfies a requirement necessary to obtain an industry-recognized credential or certificate or an associate degree; and
(B) is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and
(2) for which a student may earn credit concurrently toward both the student’s high school diploma and postsecondary academic requirements.

(a-2) A school district is not required to pay a student’s tuition or other associated costs for taking a course under this section.
(a-4) A dual credit course offered under this section must be:
(1) in the core curriculum of the public institution of higher education providing college credit;
(2) a career and technical education course; or
(3) a foreign language course.
(a-5) Subsection (a-4) does not apply to a dual credit course offered as part of the early college education program established under § 29.908 or any other early college program that assists a student in earning a certificate or an associate degree while in high school.