Discussion of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 126, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Technology Applications, Subchapter D, Other Technology Applications Courses, §126.65, Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles (One Credit), Adopted 2016

November 19, 2015

COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION

SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for the committee to discuss proposed new 19 TAC Chapter 126, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Technology Applications, Subchapter D, Other Technology Applications Courses, §126.65, Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles (One Credit), Adopted 2016, which would add a new AP computer science course as an option for a student to use to earn credit toward high school graduation requirements.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §§7.102(c)(4), 28.002, and 28.025.

TEC, §7.102(c)(4), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to establish curriculum and graduation requirements. TEC, §28.002, identifies the subjects of the required curriculum and requires the SBOE to by rule identify the essential knowledge and skills of each subject in the required curriculum that all students should be able to demonstrate and that will be used in evaluating instructional materials and addressed on the state assessment instruments. TEC, §28.025, requires the SBOE by rule to determine the curriculum requirements for the foundation high school graduation program that are consistent with the required curriculum under §28.002.

BOARD RESPONSE: This item is presented for review and comment.

PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The SBOE adopted Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for technology applications effective September 1, 1998. Revised technology applications TEKS were adopted effective September 26, 2011.

FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: At the direction of the committee, a new AP Computer Science Principles course could be presented for first reading and filing authorization at the next scheduled SBOE meeting.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: This item was added to the agenda at the request of a board member in anticipation of the launch of the new AP Computer Science Principles course in the 2016-2017 school year.

Draft rule text for proposed new 19 TAC §126.65, modeled after other rules adopted for AP courses, is shown in Attachment II.

FISCAL IMPACT: The Texas Education Agency does not anticipate any additional costs to persons or entities required to comply with the proposed new rule; however, fiscal implications will be assessed after the committee gives direction regarding the proposed new rule to bring forward for first reading and filing authorization.

PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Benefits include added flexibility in course options for students to meet high school graduation requirements.

PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: Procedural and reporting implications will be assessed after the committee gives direction regarding the proposed new rule to bring forward for first reading and filing authorization.

LOCALLY MAINTAINED PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: Locally maintained paperwork requirements will be assessed after the committee gives direction regarding the proposed new rule to bring forward for first reading and filing authorization.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: The official public comment period will begin when the proposal is published in the Texas Register.

ALTERNATIVES: None.

OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: None.

Staff Members Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs

Shelly Ramos, Division Director
Curriculum

Attachments:
I. Statutory Citations (PDF, 24KB)
II. Text of Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 126, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Technology Applications, Subchapter D, Other Technology Applications Courses, §126.65, Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles (One Credit), Adopted 2016 (PDF, 14KB)