A really great bill (SB 2061) on Eighth-Grade Algebra by Texas state Senator Jose Menendez

This is a really great bill (SB 2061) by Texas state Senator Jose Menendez who represents San Antonio. It will ensure that many more students take Algebra I in the 8th grade by virtue notifying them early on. Not taking Algebra I in the 8th grade is very consequential as it structures out advanced mathematics later when they get to high school. It reduces their competitiveness at the college level relative to those that have had the full menu of mathematics.

This happens not because our students aren't capable or because this is their choice, but rather because neither they themselves personally nor their parents, are notified about this. 

Let's all lend our support to this bill.  Reach out to whoever represents you in the Texas State Legislature and let them know how you feel.

Thanks to Senator Menéndez for his leadership. This one bill could signal a sea change in so many students' trajectories.

-Angela Valenzuela

	87R6597 TSS-D
	By: Menéndez	S.B. No. 2061

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to information on and requirements for certain courses and
	educational programs offered in public schools, including courses
	offered through the state virtual school network.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 26.0031(c-1), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(c-1)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
	may decline to pay the cost for a student of more than three
	yearlong electronic courses, or the equivalent, during any school
	year.  This subsection does not:
	(1)  limit the ability of the student to enroll in
	additional electronic courses at the student's cost; or
	(2)  apply to a student enrolled in:
	(A)  a full-time online program that was operating
	on January 1, 2013; or
	(B)  a district or school that has fewer than
	1,600 students in average daily attendance for the current school
	year.
	SECTION 2.  Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by
	adding Subsection (c-4) to read as follows:
	(c-4)  The State Board of Education shall by rule require
	each district to make available to each eighth grade student in the
	district an Algebra I course.  Notwithstanding Section 7.056(e),
	the commissioner may grant a district a temporary waiver from the
	requirements of this subsection if necessary, as determined by the
	commissioner.
	SECTION 3.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Section 28.0161 to read as follows:
	Sec. 28.0161.  NOTIFICATION REGARDING COURSE PATHWAYS AND
	CAREER CHOICES. Each school year, a school district shall provide
	to each district student entering grades 6 through 10 and the
	student's parent or guardian information regarding:
	(1)  the courses offered as part of the foundation
	curriculum adopted under Section 28.002(a)(1) and available at the
	campus attended by the student and at any high school campus that
	the student is expected to attend; and
	(2)  potential career choices and the curriculum
	requirements and courses needed to pursue those careers.
	SECTION 4.  Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Section 28.028 to read as follows:
	Sec. 28.028.  POSTING OF ADVANCED COURSEWORK INFORMATION.
	(a)  Not later than September 1 of each year, the agency shall post
	information to the agency's Internet website on the number of
	students who, during the previous school year, were enrolled in or
	accepted into:
	(1)  an educational program for gifted and talented
	students under Subchapter D, Chapter 29;
	(2)  an Algebra I course as an eighth grade student;
	(3)  an Algebra II or precalculus course or other
	advanced mathematics course;
	(4)  an advanced placement course;
	(5)  an international baccalaureate course; or
	(6)  an OnRamps dual enrollment course or other dual
	credit course.
	(b)  The information shall include the percentage of
	students who received a passing score in the course or who remained
	in the program, as applicable, and must be aggregated by campus,
	district, and grade level and disaggregated by student race, sex,
	ethnicity, grade level, and socioeconomic status.
	(c)  In posting information under this section, the agency
	must comply with all state and federal privacy laws applicable to
	student information.
	SECTION 5.  Section 30A.153(a-1), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a-1)  For purposes of Subsection (a), a school district or
	open-enrollment charter school is limited to the funding described
	by that subsection for a student's enrollment in not more than three
	electronic courses during any school year, unless:
	(1)  the student is enrolled in a full-time online
	program that was operating on January 1, 2013; or
	(2)  the district or school has fewer than 1,600
	students in average daily attendance for the current school year.
	SECTION 6.  Not later than January 1, 2022, the State Board
	of Education shall adopt rules necessary to implement the
	requirements of Section 28.002(c-4), Education Code, as added by
	this Act.
	SECTION 7.  This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
	school year.
	SECTION 8.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2021.