TITLE: Relating to the curriculum requirements for high school students in public schools.

SUMMARY: Relating to the curriculum requirements for high school students in public schools.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the curriculum requirements for high school students in public schools. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (b-1) The State Board of Education by rule shall require that the curriculum requirements for the foundation high school program under Subsection (a) include a requirement that students successfully complete: (1) four credits in English language arts under Section 28.002(a)(1)(A), including one credit in English I, one credit in English II, one credit in English III, and one credit in an advanced English course authorized under Subsection (b-2); (2) three credits in mathematics under Section 28.002(a)(1)(B), including one credit in Algebra I, one credit in geometry, and one credit in any advanced mathematics course authorized under Subsection (b-2); (3) three credits in science under Section 28.002(a)(1)(C), including one credit in biology, one credit in any advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2), and one credit in integrated physics and chemistry or in an additional advanced science course authorized under Subsection (b-2); (4) three credits in social studies under Section 28.002(a)(1)(D), including one credit in United States history, at least one-half credit in government and at least one-half credit in economics,which includes [or] personal financial literacy [& economics],and one credit in world geography or world history; (5) except as provided under Subsections (b-12), (b-13), and (b-14), two credits in the same language in a language other than English under Section 28.002(a)(2)(A); (6) five elective credits; (7) one credit in fine arts under Section 28.002(a)(2)(D); and (8) except as provided by Subsection (b-11), one credit in physical education under Section 28.002(a)(2)(C). SECTION 2. Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to students entering the ninth grade during the 2025-2026 school year or a later school year. For students entering a grade above ninth grade during the 2025-2026 school year, Section 28.025(b-1), Education Code, as that section existed before amendment by this Act, applies, and that section is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.