Sec. 61.861.  DEVELOPMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE COURSES FOR HIGH-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS.  (a)  The commissioner of higher education and the commissioner of education, in consultation with the comptroller and the Texas Workforce Commission, may award a grant in an amount not to exceed $1 million to an institution of higher education to develop advanced mathematics and science courses to prepare high school students for employment in a high-demand occupation.  The commissioner of higher education, the commissioner of education, the comptroller, and the Texas Workforce Commission shall jointly determine what is considered a high-demand occupation for purposes of this subchapter.
(b)  An institution of higher education shall work in partnership with at least one independent school district and a business entity in developing a course for purposes of this section.
(c)  A course developed for purposes of this section must:
(1)  provide content that enables a student to develop the relevant and critical skills needed to be prepared for employment or additional training in a high-demand occupation;
(2)  incorporate college and career readiness skills as part of the curriculum;
(3)  be offered for dual credit; and
(4)  satisfy a mathematics or science requirement under the foundation high school program as determined under Section 28.025.
(d)  An institution of higher education shall periodically review and revise the curriculum for a course developed for purposes of this section to accommodate changes in industry standards for the high-demand occupation.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 895 (H.B. 3), Sec. 63, eff. June 19, 2009.
Amended by: 
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 211 (H.B. 5), Sec. 73(a), eff. June 10, 2013.