Official Public Comment Period for Proposed New Occupational Safety and Health TEKS

At the April 2023 State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting, the SBOE approved for first reading and filing authorization proposed new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for occupational safety and health. The SBOE approved two different options for TEKS in occupational safety and health in order to solicit feedback from educators and the public regarding the option(s) that best meet student/school needs.

The SBOE is considering the following two options for TEKS in occupational safety and health. The proposed new 19 TAC §127.17 presents TEKS that would be required to be embedded into the content for 14 CTE principles courses. As the SBOE updates the CTE principles courses, these TEKS would be added into each of the specified courses. Whereas the proposed new 19 TAC §127.18 presents TEKS for a one-credit standalone course in occupational safety and health.

The SBOE is requesting public feedback on the two options. Public comments will help inform the SBOE’s final decision regarding the TEKS in occupational safety and health. The SBOE is expected to take action for second reading and final adoption at its June 2023 meeting, with expected implementation beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.

Feedback from CTE educators across the state is a critical part of this process. The official public comment period for the proposed new occupational safety and health TEKS will be open from May 12-June 16, 2023. To view the proposed revisions and submit public comments once the public comment period is open, visit http://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Laws_and_Rules/SBOE_Rules_(TAC)/Proposed_State_Board_of_Education_Rules/.

Update on the 2023 CTE TEKS Review Process

Draft Recommendations for Proposed New CTE TEKS for Career Preparation and Entrepreneurship Available

Recommendations for revisions to the TEKS for career preparation and entrepreneurship courses are currently available for review and feedback. The proposed TEKS are scheduled to present for discussion at the June 2023 SBOE meeting.

The draft recommendations are currently available for review and feedback on the 2023 CTE TEKS review webpage.

When providing specific comments and recommendations, please identify the course in the subject line of the email. For example, in the subject line, please indicate "CTE TEKS Review." Please submit comments to TEA at teks@tea.texas.gov.

New Career and College Exploration TEKS

At the April 2023 SBOE meeting, the board approved for second reading and final adoption proposed revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 127, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career Development and Career and Technical Education, Subchapter A, Middle School. The revisions will repeal two existing middle school college and career exploration courses, §127.2, Investigating Careers and §127.3, College and Career Readiness, and add a new middle school course, §127.2 Career and College Exploration.

Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.016, requires each school district to ensure that at least once in Grade 7 or 8 each student receives instruction in high school, college, and career preparation. The instruction must include information regarding the creation of a high school personal graduation plan, potential career choices, and the education needed to enter those careers. The new Career and College Exploration course provides an updated single course to provide instruction in high school, college, and career preparation that will be available for districts to use in meeting the requirements of TEC, §28.016. The SBOE, in approving the new Career and College Exploration course, authorized the course to be taken up to two times.

The recently adopted Career and College Exploration TEKS are scheduled for implementation beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. Once the rules have been filed with the Texas Register, the TEKS will be available on the Adopted State Board of Education Rules - Not Yet Effective webpage. The new TEKS become effective on August 1, 2023, and will be available in 19 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 127, Subchapter A. The existing courses will be repealed and no longer available beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.

CTE Professional Development

CTE Experienced Administrator and Counselor Professional Development

TEA is excited to announce new professional learning opportunities for experienced administrators and counselors to enhance their knowledge of CTE at no cost to districts. These trainings build on the six modules that TEA created for new CTE administrators and counselors in 2022. For experienced CTE administrators, the modules will cover topics such as planning for and implementing a comprehensive K-12 career readiness program; building teacher capacity; evaluating programs to ensure high-quality CTE curricular and instructional materials, facilities and equipment; and expanding programs that align with labor market needs. For experienced school counselors at the middle school and high school levels, TEA’s new professional development will delve into supporting the recruitment of students into high school programs of study, networking with middle school and elementary school counselors, and developing a plan to implement a comprehensive K-12 career advising program that provides all students with access to career exploration opportunities. Please contact your ESC CTE Specialist for details or visit Resources for Learning’s CTE Portal page for updated information and training dates: Experienced Administrator and Counselor Training Sessions.

CTE Professional Learning for New Administrators and Counselors

Regional Education Service Centers (ESCs) continue to offer professional learning modules for both new CTE administrators and new CTE counselors. New CTE administrators can engage with four different professional development modules and new counselors may gain CTE knowledge and skills through two targeted training modules. TEA developed these modules in the spring of 2022 and initially offered them this past summer through regional groups of ESCs. Now, individual ESCs offer these training modules in each of their regions at no cost to the district. Please contact your ESC CTE Specialist for details or visit Resources for Learning’s CTE Portal page for updated information and training dates: New Administrator and Counselor Training Sessions.

Texas Collaboration Institute Summer Conference

The Texas Collaboration Institute’s (TCI) Summer Conference, Supporting Access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Students in Special Populations, will be held on July 31, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The TEA Student-Centered Transitions Network (SCTN) has teamed up with the National Technical Assistance Center of Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) to provide this dynamic event. The event will feature national speakers, facilitated training, and a focus on LEA team building and collaboration.

To positively impact outcomes and accountability for students in special populations, administrative teams should be composed of personnel representing:

Special Education (SPED)

Career and Technical Education (CTE)
College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR)
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
High School Counseling

For more information see https://www.texastransition.org/.