1. (a) A school district may develop innovative or other locally-designed courses to enable students to master knowledge, skills, and competencies not included in the essential knowledge and skills of the required curriculum.

   1. (1) The State Board of Education (SBOE) may approve any course that does not fall within any of the subject areas listed in the foundation and enrichment curricula when the applicant school district or organization demonstrates that the proposed course is academically rigorous and addresses documented student needs.
   2. (2) The commissioner of education may approve a discipline-based course in the foundation or enrichment curriculum when the applicant school district or organization demonstrates that the proposed course is academically challenging and addresses documented student needs.

   3. (3) To request approval from SBOE or the commissioner of education, the school district or organization must submit a request for approval, at least six months before planned implementation, that includes:

      1. (A) a description of the course and its essential knowledge and skills;
      2. (B) the rationale and justification for the request in terms of student need;
      3. (C) a description of activities, major resources, and materials to be used;
      4. (D) the methods of evaluating student outcomes;
      5. (E) the qualifications of the teacher;
      6. (F) the amount of credit requested; and
      7. (G) the school years for which approval is requested.
2. (b) A school district may operate a magnet program, academy, or other innovative program to serve student populations with specialized interests and aptitudes. A program that does not meet all applicable requirements of this chapter must be approved by SBOE. A district seeking approval under this subsection must apply in writing to the commissioner of education. The district's request must include the same information as that specified in subsection (a) of this section for a request for approval of an innovative course.

Source Note:The provisions of this §74.27 adopted to be effective September 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 4311; amended to be effective September 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 5675.