Texas Education Code 61.861 – Development of Mathematics and Science Courses for High-Demand Occupations
(a) The commissioner of higher education and the commissioner of education, in consultation with the comptroller and the Texas Workforce Commission, may award a grant in an amount not to exceed $1 million to an institution of higher education to develop advanced mathematics and science courses to prepare high school students for employment in a high-demand occupation. The commissioner of higher education, the commissioner of education, the comptroller, and the Texas Workforce Commission shall jointly determine what is considered a high-demand occupation for purposes of this subchapter.
(b) An institution of higher education shall work in partnership with at least one independent school district and a business entity in developing a course for purposes of this section.
Terms Used In Texas Education Code 61.861
- Comptroller: means the state comptroller of public accounts. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
(c) A course developed for purposes of this section must:
(1) provide content that enables a student to develop the relevant and critical skills needed to be prepared for employment or additional training in a high-demand occupation;
(2) incorporate college and career readiness skills as part of the curriculum;
(3) be offered for dual credit; and
(4) satisfy a mathematics or science requirement under the foundation high school program as determined under § 28.025.
(d) An institution of higher education shall periodically review and revise the curriculum for a course developed for purposes of this section to accommodate changes in industry standards for the high-demand occupation.