TX HB20

Establishes the Applied Sciences Pathway program allowing students in grades 11 and 12 to concurrently earn a high school diploma and a certificate from an institution of higher education in high-wage, high-growth industries

Covers 20 industry pathways including plumbing, electrical, welding, HVAC, carpentry, aviation maintenance, cybersecurity, robotics and automation, oil and gas, and automotive technology

Requires partnerships between school districts or open-enrollment charter schools and higher education institutions, governed by institutional agreements meeting dual credit partnership requirements

Allows career and technology education courses to substitute for required high school graduation credits if they substantially cover the essential knowledge and skills of the replaced course, though students must first pass relevant end-of-course assessments

Program applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, expires September 1, 2031, and the commissioner may revise approved industries every five years starting in 2027-2028 to reflect labor market trends