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October 17, 2011 TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED: Subject: Expiring Innovative and Magnet Courses and 2012-2013 Innovative Course Applications The purpose of this correspondence is to inform local education agencies of the expiration of certain innovative and magnet courses and the acceptance of applications for innovative courses for the 2012-2013 school year. Our records indicate that approval for use of the innovative and magnet courses listed on the attached document has expired or will expire at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. The Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) codes associated with these expiring innovative and magnet courses will be deleted from the system as of July 2012. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, the courses and associated codes may no longer be available for use. Please note that state approval of magnet courses is no longer available. Should you believe that your district has active approval for any of the courses our records show as expiring, please provide evidence of that approval to the Curriculum Division via email at curriculum@tea.state.tx.us or via fax at (512) 463-8057. You may submit this evidence by emailing a scanned copy of the letter from TEA indicating continued approval or by faxing a copy of that letter. Should your school or district desire to apply for renewal of an expiring innovative course for use in 2012-2013 and beyond, please submit a new application for an innovative course. Applications for new innovative courses and for renewal of existing innovative courses are now being accepted. The Texas Administrative Code, §74.27, permits school districts to offer approved innovative courses to enable students to master knowledge, skills, and competencies in courses for which there are no Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Innovative courses must be approved by either the State Board of Education (SBOE) or the commissioner of education before a district may award state elective credit toward graduation. Each innovative course must be academically rigorous and address documented student needs. Before you decide to apply for innovative course approval, please review the TEKS and the currently approved innovative courses to be sure that such a course is needed. You may find that an existing TEKS-based course adopted by the SBOE or a currently-approved innovative course will meet your needs. TEKS-based courses can be found in Chapters 110-130 of the Texas Administrative Code at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/index.html. A list of currently approved innovative courses can be accessed on the innovative courses webpage at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=6079. The 2012-2013 innovative course application procedures can be accessed on the innovative courses webpage at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=6079. Requests for applications should be submitted via email to the Curriculum Division at curriculum@tea.state.tx.us with “innovative course application” in the subject line. Please be aware that this year’s application submission deadline is earlier than in past years. Dates have been adjusted to allow districts more time to plan course offerings for the 2012-2013 school year. Applications for new innovative courses and for renewals of expiring innovative courses must be received by November 30, 2011. If you have questions about innovative courses or the application process, please contact the Curriculum Division by phone at (512) 463-9581 or by email at curriculum@tea.state.tx.us. Sincerely, Anita Givens Associate Commissioner Standards and Programs
Attachment – Expiring PEIMS Course Codes  |
