TITLE 19.EDUCATION

Part 1. TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD

Chapter 4. RULES APPLYING TO ALL PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN TEXAS

Subchapter A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

19 TAC §4.3

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts, on an emergency basis, an amendment to §4.3 concerning an excused absence from a public institution of higher education for a person called to active military service. The amendment is adopted on an emergency basis pursuant to §2001.034 of the Government Code, which allows a state agency to adopt an emergency rule if a requirement of state or federal law requires adoption of the rule on less than 30 days notice. The amendment is simultaneously being proposed for permanent adoption in this issue of the Texas Register . Specifically, this amendment is being adopted on an emergency basis under the provisions of House Bill 1630 of the 79th Texas Legislature, which added Texas Education Code, §51.9111 and authorized the Board to implement changes by Fall semester, 2005. This amendment will provide a way for a student to be assured of an excused absence and a reasonable amount of time to complete missed assignments and examinations, in order to be able to complete coursework left pending if the student is called to active military duty for a brief duration of service. A student called to active military duty as defined in this section would still be able to withdraw from coursework, but the change would provide for a student who chooses not to do so under these specific circumstances.

The amendment is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §2001.034, which gives the Coordinating Board the authority to adopt an emergency rule if a requirement of state or federal law requires adoption of the rule on less than 30 days notice, and Texas Education Code, §51.9111, which authorized the Coordinating Board to adopt rules concerning excused absences for military service.

The amendment affects Texas Education Code, §61.002.

§4.3.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) - (16) (No change.)

(17) Active military service--Active service in the armed forces of the United States or in the National Guard or the Texas State Guard.

This agency hereby certifies that the emergency adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 1, 2005.

TRD-200503176

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective Date: August 1, 2005

Expiration Date: November 28, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6114


19 TAC §4.9

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts, on an emergency basis, new §4.9, concerning an excused absence from a public institution of higher education for a person called to active military service.

The new section is adopted on an emergency basis pursuant to §2001.034 of the Government Code, which allows a state agency to adopt an emergency rule if a requirement of state or federal law requires adoption of the rule on less than 30 days notice. The new section is simultaneously being proposed for permanent adoption in this issue of the Texas Register . Specifically, this new section is being adopted on an emergency basis under the provisions of House Bill 1630 of the 79th Texas Legislature, which added Texas Education Code, §51.9111 and authorized the Board to implement changes by Fall semester, 2005. This new section will provide a way for a student to be assured of an excused absence and a reasonable amount of time to complete missed assignments and examinations, in order to be able to complete coursework left pending if the student is called to active military duty for a brief duration of service. A student called to active military duty as defined in this section would still be able to withdraw from coursework, but the new rule would provide for a student who chooses not to do so under these specific circumstances.

The new section is adopted, on an emergency basis under the Texas Education Code, §2001.034, which gives the Coordinating Board the authority to adopt an emergency rule if a requirement of state or federal law requires adoption of the rule on less than 30 days notice, and Texas Education Code, §51.9111, which authorized the Coordinating Board to adopt rules concerning excused absences for military service.

The new section affects Texas Education Code, §61.002.

§4.9.Excused Absence for a Person Called to Active Military Service.

(a) Upon notice from a student required to participate in active military service, an institution shall excuse a student from attending classes or engaging in other required activities, including examinations.

(b) A student shall not be penalized for an absence which is excused under this subsection and shall be allowed to complete an assignment or take an examination from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the absence.

(c) Each institution shall adopt a policy under this subsection which includes:

(1) the retention of a student’s course work completed during the portion of the course prior to the student being called to active military service;

(2) the course syllabus or other instructional plan, so that the student will be able to complete the course without prejudice and under the same course requirements that were in effect when the student enrolled in the course;

(3) a definition of a reasonable time after the absence for the completion of assignments and examinations;

(4) procedures for failure of a student to satisfactorily complete the assignment or examination within a reasonable time after the absence; and

(5) an institutional dispute resolution process regarding the policy.

(d) The maximum period for which a student may be excused under this section shall be no more than 25% (twenty-five percent) of the total number of class meetings (not including the final examination period) for the specific course or courses in which the student is currently enrolled at the beginning of the period of active military service.

This agency hereby certifies that the emergency adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 1, 2005.

TRD-200503178

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective Date: August 1, 2005

Expiration Date: November 28, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6114


Chapter 21. STUDENT SERVICES

Subchapter E. TEXAS B-ON-TIME LOAN PROGRAM

19 TAC §21.122, §21.124

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts, on an emergency basis, amendments to §21.122 and §21.124, concerning initial eligibility for the Texas B-On-Time Loan Program.

The amendments to the sections are adopted on an emergency basis pursuant to §2001.034 of the Government Code, which allows a state agency to adopt an emergency rule if a requirement of state or federal law requires adoption of the rule on less than 30 days notice. The amendments are simultaneously being proposed for permanent adoption in this issue of the Texas Register . The amendments extend the residency requirement in the Texas B-On-Time Loan Program to include military dependents that are entitled to pay resident tuition rates. Currently, loan eligibility is limited to students who are Texas residents and who graduated from a Texas high school. The amendments provide that a military dependent who graduated from a Department of Defense high school not earlier than the 2002 - 2003 school year and who, at the time of graduation, was a dependent of a member of the U.S. armed forces, is eligible for the Texas B-On-Time Loan.

The amendments are adopted, on an emergency basis, under the Texas Education Code, §§56.451 - 56.465, which provide the Coordinating Board authority to establish procedures to administer this program; the Texas Education Code, §61.027, which provides the Coordinating Board authority to adopt rules to effectuate the provisions of the Texas Education Code. Section 54.053 states that the governing board of each institution required to charge a nonresident tuition fee, is subject to the rules, regulations, and interpretations issued by the Coordinating Board.

The amendments affect the Texas Education Code, §§56.451 - 56.465.

§21.122.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) - (4) (No change.)

(5) Resident of Texas--A resident of the State of Texas as determined in accordance with Chapter 21, Subchapter B, of this title (relating to Determining Residence Status). Nonresident students eligible to pay resident tuition rates are not included unless they qualify as eligible nonresidents under §21.124(a)(1) of this title (concerning Initial Eligibility for Loans) .

§21.124.Initial Eligibility for Loans.

(a) The Commissioner may authorize Texas B-On-Time Loans to students at any eligible institution which certifies that the student:

(1) is a resident of Texas as defined in these rules or beginning with the 2005-2006 academic year, be entitled, as a child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, to pay tuition at the rate provided for residents of this state under Texas Education Code §54.058 ; and

(2) meets one of the following academic requirements:

(A) graduated not earlier than the 2002 - 2003 school year under the Recommended or Advanced High School Program from a public or accredited private high school in Texas [ or received an associate degree from an eligible institution not earlier than May 1, 2005 ];

(B) beginning with the 2005 - 2006 academic year, graduated not earlier than the 2002 - 2003 school year from a high school operated by the United States Department of Defense and at the time of graduation was a dependent child of a member of the armed forces of the United States; or

(C) received an associate degree from an eligible institution not earlier than May 1, 2005;

(3) - (5) (No change.)

(b) - (c) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the emergency adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 1, 2005.

TRD-200503170

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective Date: August 1, 2005

Expiration Date: November 28, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6114


Subchapter CC. EARLY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

19 TAC §§21.953, 21.954, 21.956, 21.959

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts, on an emergency basis, amendments to §§21.953, 21.954, 21.956, and 21.959, concerning the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program.

The amendments to the sections are adopted on an emergency basis pursuant to §2001.034 of the Government Code, which allows a state agency to adopt an emergency rule if a requirement of state or federal law requires adoption of the rule on less than 30 days notice. The amendments are simultaneously being proposed for permanent adoption in this issue of the Texas Register . Senate Bill 1227, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, mandates that students who were on track to graduate in keeping with Early High School Graduation Scholarship requirements in 2003 (when requirements were changed), be grandfathered into the program if they graduated prior to September 1, 2005, while meeting the old program requirements. Since 2003, one of the requirements for a scholarship through the program is the completion of the Recommended High School Program or Distinguished High School Program. Prior to that time, any student who graduated within 36 months of the start of ninth grade could receive an award, regardless of the conditions of their graduation. The amendments would reflect the extension of eligibility to these students in keeping with Senate Bill 1227.

The amendments are adopted, on an emergency basis, under the Texas Education Code, §56.209, which states that the Coordinating Board is authorized to adopt rules to administer the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program.

The amendments affect the Texas Education Code, §§56.202 - 56.209.

§21.953.Eligible Students.

(a) To receive an award through the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program, a student who graduated from high school before September 1, 2003 or who graduated between September 1, 2003 and September 1, 2005, under conditions listed in subsection (b) of this section must:

(1) - (4) (No change.)

(b) A student who graduated between September 1, 2003 and September 1, 2005, without completing the Recommended or Advanced High School Program, may receive an award through the Early High School Graduation Scholarship as it existed on August 31, 2003, if the student's high school counselor provides the Board a certified statement that the student was on track as of August 31, 2003, to graduate in accordance with Early High School Graduation Scholarship program requirements in place at that time, and the student graduated meeting requirements listed in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) [ (b) ] To receive an award through the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program, a student other than those described in subsection (b) of this section who graduated from high school after September 1, 2003 must:

(1) be a resident of Texas;

(2) have attended high school only in Texas;

(3) have successfully completed the Recommended or Advanced High School Program established under Texas Education Code, §28.025, unless the principal or other authorized representative of the student's high school indicates on the student's transcript and exemption program application that the courses in the Recommended or Advanced High School Program which the student did not complete were unavailable to the student at the appropriate time in his or her high school career because of:

(A) course scheduling;

(B) lack of enrollment capacity; or

(C) another cause not within the person's control, an explanation for which is provided on the transcript by the official;

(4) have graduated:

(A) in not more than 41 consecutive months, in which case the student must provide written approval of a parent or person standing in parental relation to the student; or

(B) in not more than 46 consecutive months, if the student graduated with at least 30 hours of college credit.

(5) A student's eligibility to receive a tuition credit under the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program begins with the first regular semester or term following the student's graduation, exclusive of summer sessions that immediately follow the student's graduation. A student's eligibility to receive a tuition credit under the program ends six years after it begins, unless the student seeks and is granted an extension under §21.960 of this title (relating to Hardship Extensions).

§21.954.The Application and Awarding Process.

(a) (No change.)

(b) The application has three parts. It must be completed and signed by the high school counselor or principal on behalf of the student applicant.

(1) Parts I and III are to be completed for all applicants who graduated prior to September 1, 2003 , and students who graduated between September 1, 2003 and September 1, 2005, in accordance with §21.953(b) of this title (relating to Eligible Students) .

(2) (No change.)

(c) High school counselors or principals are to send the completed and signed applications to the Board for processing. If the application is for a student who qualifies for an award in accordance with §21.953(b) of this title, the application must be accompanied by a certified statement from the high school counselor, on high school letterhead, confirming the student was on track on August 31, 2003, to graduate under the provisions of the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program as it existed at that time.

(d) - (g) (No change.)

§21.956.Award Amounts and Processing Cycle.

(a) Amounts for students graduating prior to September 1, 2003 or between September 1, 2003 and September 1, 2005, in accordance with conditions outlined in §21.953(b) of this title (relating to Eligible Students) .

(1) - (3) (No change.)

(b) For students whose graduation date is after September 1, 2003 , other than those graduating under the conditions outlined in §21.953(b) of this title :

(1) - (2) (No change.)

(c) (No change.)

§21.959.Hardship Provisions.

An otherwise eligible student who graduated from high school on or after September 1, 2003, other than those who graduated in accordance with the requirements outlined in §21.953(b) of this title (relating to Eligible Students), and who is unable to use his or her scholarship within the allotted six years may petition the Board for an extension. Such extensions, not to exceed one year, may be granted on the basis of hardships or other good causes, including but not limited to:

(1) - (2) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the emergency adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 1, 2005.

TRD-200503172

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective Date: August 1, 2005

Expiration Date: November 28, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6114


Subchapter II. EDUCATIONAL AIDE EXEMPTION PROGRAM

19 TAC §21.1083

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts, on an emergency basis, an amendment to §21.1083, concerning the Educational Aide Exemption Program.

The amendment to the section is adopted on an emergency basis pursuant to §2001.034 of the Government Code, which allows a state agency to adopt an emergency rule if a requirement of state or federal law requires adoption of the rule on less than 30 days notice. The amendment is simultaneously being proposed for adoption in this issue of the Texas Register . Senate Bill 1227, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, amended Texas Education Code, §54.214 regarding the requirement of having been employed as an educational aide one of the past five years to students who are applying for their first exemptions. Prior to this amendment, an individual would have had to have been employed as an aide one of the past five years in order to qualify for an exemption. Therefore, students who entered the program on the third or fourth year after such employment would lose eligibility to continue in the program once that five-year deadline was reached. They would have to work for a year as an aide in order to re-establish eligibility for the exemption. Students, once having met the employment requirement, may continue to pursue their teaching credentials.

The amendment is adopted, on an emergency basis, under the Texas Education Code, §54.214, which states that the Coordinating Board is authorized to adopt rules to implement this section.

The amendment affects the Texas Education Code, §54.214.

§21.1083.Eligible Students.

To receive an award through the Educational Aide Exemption Program, a student must:

(1) (No change.)

(2) have at least one school year of experience as an educational aide during the five years preceding the term or semester for which the student is awarded his or her initial [ receives the ] exemption;

(3) - (7) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the emergency adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 1, 2005.

TRD-200503174

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective Date: August 1, 2005

Expiration Date: November 28, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6114