Office of the Superintendent of Schools
Office of Academics
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Approval To Submit Course Waiver Requests For Texas Connections Academy At Houston To The Texas Education Agency
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The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires the review and approval of all courses made available through the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN) prior to a course being offered. Eligible school districts may apply to the commissioner of education for a waiver from the TEA’s course review process if the district can document that each course meets all TXVSN course standards and requirements. Per Texas Education Code, Section 7.056 (b)(1), the submission of waiver requests must be authorized by the local board of education.
Texas Connections Academy at Houston (TCAH) is a Houston Independent School District (HISD) campus charter that provides, as part of TXVSN, an online school program to over 8,500 students in Houston and across Texas. TCAH developed and implemented Advanced Placement (AP) Research and AP Seminar since the 2020-2021 school year. These waivers expire in 2024-2025 and must be renewed for the 2025-2026 school year. These courses have been previously approved by the HISD School Board. In addition, TCAH has developed AP 2D Art and Design and AP Drawing in alignment with the College Board curriculum expectations and requirements for the 2025-2026 school year and seeks approval to add these courses to TCAH’s offerings. The request is for the approval of the course waivers for the four courses listed above. These innovative student-directed AP courses satisfy the TXVSN and College Board standards and requirements.
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THIS ITEM DOES NOT ESTABLISH, MODIFY, OR DELETE BOARD POLICY.
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RECOMMENDED: That the School Board approves the submission of course waiver requests for TCAH to the TEA for school years 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028, effective June 13, 2025.