A school district may offer innovative courses to enable students to master knowledge, skills, and competencies not included in the essential knowledge and skills of the required curriculum.   (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 applying school district or organization demonstrates that the proposed course is academically rigorous and addresses documented student needs.   (2) The commissioner of education may approve a discipline-based course in the foundation or enrichment curriculum when the applying school district or organization demonstrates that the proposed course is academically challenging and addresses documented student needs.   (3) To request approval from the SBOE or the commissioner of education, the applying school district or organization must submit a request for approval at least six months before planned implementation that includes:     (A) a description of the course and its essential knowledge and skills;     (B) the rationale and justification for the request in terms of student need;     (C) a description of activities, major resources, and materials to be used;     (D) the methods of evaluating student outcomes;     (E) the qualifications of the teacher; and     (F) the amount of credit requested.   (4) With the approval of the local board of trustees, a school district may offer, without modifications, any state-approved 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; amended to be effective September 1, 2001, 25 TexReg 7691; amended to be effective December 25, 2007, 32 TexReg 9623