Committee approves Pathway college‑and‑career courses with SHAC requirement and website contingency
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Summary
The committee recommended renewal of four levels of the Path college-and-career innovative courses, subject to removal of flagged websites and confirmation of school health advisory council (SHAC) review when materials include health or human‑sexuality content.
The State Board of Education Committee on Instruction on June 19 recommended that the full board renew four levels (1–4) of the Path college-and-career innovative courses provided applicants address two conditions: remove flagged websites from recommended resources and ensure any materials that include human‑sexuality content go through local SHAC (School Health Advisory Council) review.
TEA staff told the committee the Path program recorded broad enrollment: staff reported about 21,002 students took at least one Path course in 2024–25 and that multiple districts offer each level (123 districts for one level; other levels cited 80, 74, and 65 districts). Monica explained that the materials packet includes a mix of hardcopy textbooks and websites; staff had flagged specific pages or links in several online resources for committee consideration.
Committee discussion focused on parental notification and statutory requirements for human‑sexuality instruction. Staff noted that state law requires parental notice when human‑sexuality instruction is provided and that districts retain responsibility for complying with notification rules; TEA staff said they would notify applicants and districts of that requirement and would require SHAC review where applicable. Member Little moved approval of Path levels 1–4 with SHAC notification and the website contingency; Member Brooks seconded. Members also added the website-removal contingency to the approval motion. The motion passed.
Why it matters: several Path resources include content TEA staff identified as potentially requiring parental notice under state law; the committee used the renewal process to require applicants and districts to follow notification rules and to limit exposure to external web content while students are in school.
Supporting details: TEA staff provided a materials review and page references for each resource. The Path packet lists recommended textbooks such as 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens (hard copy) and other workbooks, plus several websites. Staff offered to contact applicants immediately after the meeting to request removal of flagged website links and to inform committee members before the full‑board vote.