Advance Academics
Recognized in 1993 the Advanced Placement (AP)/International Baccalaureate Incentive program (IB) was designed recognize and reward students, teachers, and school who demonstrate a commitment to high academic achievement by reaching the state’s educational goals.
The provision is for all students to have a curriculum or standard of courses that the student must take as they mature through the educational system. Chapter 74 of the Texas Education Code provides the curriculum requirements for each grade level. The code also provides options for course offerings and procedures for delivery of instruction. Other methods that students may receive credit for courses as stated in the statute are through correspondence courses and distance learning; credit by examination; and high school credit for college courses. The code also provides the manner by which students may acquire credit toward state graduation requirements by any student in attendance at an accredited school district. ("Curriculum Requirements," 2009)
Career and Technology
Career and Technology education CTE) is funded by Federal funds for the improvement of secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs through the Carl D Perkins Act (Perkins Act). The concept is to provide a needed workforce that is skilled, adaptable, creative, and equipped for success. The Perkins Act was founded to give students opportunities to learn about career and the preparation for these careers. The courses offered through CTE give students the technical and academic knowledge skills needed to be successful in postsecondary education, training, and employment.
CTE course should be aligned with college and career readiness standards along with the needs of industry. Many students who participate in an effective CTE program acquire real-life career skills necessary to graduate with industry certifications, or licenses (U .S. Department of Education, 2012).
State Compensatory
State Compensatory Education (SCE) under the Texas Education Code (TEC) section 29.081 presents a program in which school receive funds to supplement the regular education program for students who are deemed at risk of dropping out of school. The goal or main purpose of the supplemental money is to enhance the academic success of at risk students and reduce the dropout rate. The premise is that providing at risk students the opportunity to receive an enhanced education will reduce the gap in student performance on assessments.
The legislature authorized financial support for programs and services designed by the local education agencies (LEA) to examine the data provided by state mandated tests to provide intensive instruction to any students who did not perform well on the test and who are at risk of dropping out. (“State Compensatory,” 2013)