89R3424 CMO-F     By: Gates H.B. No. 20       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to establishing the Applied Sciences Pathway program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.914 to read as follows:          Sec. 29.914.  APPLIED SCIENCES PATHWAY PROGRAM. (a)  In this   section:                (1)  "Certificate program" and "institution of higher   education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.                (2)  "Program" means the Applied Sciences Pathway   program established under this section.          (b)  The commissioner shall establish and administer the   Applied Sciences Pathway program to provide opportunities for   students to concurrently earn high school diplomas and certificates   from institutions of higher education.          (c)  The commissioner shall approve for participation in the   program partnerships between school districts or open-enrollment   charter schools and institutions of higher education to provide   courses in a non-duplicative sequence of progressive achievement   that lead to:                (1)  a high school diploma; and                (2)  completion of a certificate program with a   successful job placement rate in high-wage, high-growth jobs in one   of the following industries:                      (A)  plumbing and pipe fitting;                      (B)  electrical;                      (C)  welding;                      (D)  sheet metal;                      (E)  carpentry;                      (F)  masonry;                      (G)  diesel and heavy equipment;                      (H)  aviation maintenance;                      (I)  heating, ventilation, and air conditioning;   or                      (J)  construction management and inspection.          (d)  A partnership participating in the program must:                (1)  enable the school district or open-enrollment   charter school to provide at least one course of study described by   Subsection (c) through a partnership with an institution of higher   education under the program;                (2)  provide for a course of study described by   Subsection (c) that enables a participating student in grade level   11 or 12 to concurrently:                      (A)  enroll in a certificate program described by   Subsection (c)(2) at the partnering institution of higher education   under which the student may receive instruction from an instructor   employed by the institution and any appropriate work-based learning   opportunities from the institution and earn:                            (i)  a level one or level two certificate, as   defined by the commissioner; or                            (ii)  another certificate approved by   commissioner rule; and                      (B)  satisfy high school graduation requirements   and receive a high school diploma;                (3)  require the partnering school district or   open-enrollment charter school to permit all district or school   students in grade level 11 or 12 to enroll in a course of study   provided under Subdivision (2);                (4)  be governed by an articulation agreement between   the partnering school district or open-enrollment charter school   and institution of higher education; and                (5)  meet any other requirements established by   commissioner rule.          (e)  A course of study provided under the program must be   provided at no cost to the student.          (f)  The commissioner may approve the substitution of one   credit in a subject area required for high school graduation under   Section 28.025 with one credit in a career and technology education   course provided by an institution of higher education under the   program that substantially covers the essential knowledge and   skills of the course for which it is substituted.          (g)  A career and technology education course authorized as a   substitute credit under Subsection (f) may not count:                (1)  for more than one credit toward the student's high   school graduation requirements; or                (2)  as a credit for more than one subject area.          (h)  Time that a student spends participating in the program   is counted as part of the minimum number of instructional hours   required for a student to be considered a full-time student in   average daily attendance for purposes of Section 48.005.          (i)  Nothing in this section may be construed to prevent a   student's participation in career and technology education courses   before the student begins participating in the program.          (j)  The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to   administer the program.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   school year.          SECTION 3.  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.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.