HB 18 says that the rules adopted by T.E.A. and/or the Higher Education Coordinating Board may not limit the number of dual credit courses, or semester hours a student can take in a semester, a year, or during high school. Note: HB 505 says the same thing.
Also: T.E.A. must develop and distribute materials to promote “curriculum change awareness.” This is mostly about the changes implemented by HB 5 in 2013. The materials must be made available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. This must be done by December 1, 2015.
I am not sure, but I think that this is the first time that the legislature has mandated publication of a document in three languages. We have many laws that require publications in English and Spanish, and they usually require a “good faith effort” to provide translations for other languages. But this bill mandates Vietnamese along with our two prevailing languages. Interesting.
Also: schools must provide instruction to 7th and 8th graders to prepare them for high school, college, and a career. This must include information about a personal graduation plan, distinguished levels of achievement, endorsements, college readiness standards, career choices and the education needed to enter those careers. This instruction can be provided through 1) an existing course; 2) an existing CATE course as designated appropriate by SBOE; or 3) through a new course. But it must be provided at least once to every student in either 7th or 8th grade.
Also: The Center for Teaching and Learning at UT Austin is to make “postsecondary and career counseling academies” available for school counselors and other “postsecondary advisors” employed by a school district.
All of this is in effect with this school year.
DAWG BONE: I GUESS THEY LIKE THOSE DUAL CREDIT COURSES.