ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES
The Innovative Course
In Texas, “innovative courses” are developed to address emerging educational needs, cultural perspectives, and professional pathways not yet incorporated into state-approved standards or the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
These courses begin as local visions - carefully crafted by educators, community experts, and stakeholders who identify gaps in the existing curriculum. Courses have to be piloted for two years and must:
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Facilitate student career & college readiness
Not be a duplicate of another course
Provide age-appropriate curriculum
Collect student enrollment data
After at least two years of piloting, course creators can submit a proposal for Innovative Course Status. Applications are reviewed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and voted on for approval by the State Board of Education (SBOE). Once approved, the course can be offered on the statewide catalogue for all Texas Public Schools. Innovative courses are initially approved for three years, with renewal terms lasting five years.
Once approved, courses that demonstrate success and alignment with state educational priorities may be considered for formal adoption into the TEKS, transitioning from innovative to standardized statewide curriculum.
ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES
The Road Map
SBOE votes to approve Innovative Course status
Apply / renew for innovative course status
American Indian & Native Studies
Apply for TEKS based on course status
SBOE votes to approve TEKS-based course
Mexican American Studies (2018)
African American Studies (2020)
Establish course standards, find a school, train an educator, & enroll students
Identify gaps in current standards
★ Asian American Studies
Pilot course and collect data for at least 2 years
ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES
Where are we now?
Since 2022, our coalition has: