HB 20

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
(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
(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
(A)  plumbing and pipe fitting;
(G)  diesel and heavy equipment;
(I)  heating, ventilation, and air conditioning;
(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
(2)  provide for a course of study described by
Subsection (c) that enables a participating student in grade level
(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
(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
(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
SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026
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.