Sec. 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.

(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 Section 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.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 895 (H.B. 3), Sec. 63, eff. June 19, 2009.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 211 (H.B. 5), Sec. 73(a), eff. June 10, 2013.