TITLE education

Part I. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Chapter 21. Student Services

Subchapter P. Professional Nurses' Student Loan Repayment Program

19 TAC §21.509

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts amendment to Chapter 21, Subchapter P, §21.509, concerning Professional Nurses' Student Loan Repayment Program (Priorities of Application Approval) without changes to the proposed text as published in the September 26, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 9570).

There were no comments received concerning the proposed amendment.

The amendment is adopted under Texas Education Code, §61.656 and Hopwood v. Texas, 78 F.3d 932 (5th Cir. 1996) which provides the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules concerning Professional Nurses' Student Loan Repayment Program (Priorities of Application Approval).

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 23, 1998.

TRD-9801096

James McWhorter

Assistant Commissioner for Administration

Texas Higher Education Coordination Board

Effective date: February 12, 1998

Proposal publication date: September 26, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 483-6162


Subchapter HH. Exemption Program for Texas Air and Army National Guard/ROTC Students

19 TAC §21.1055, §21.1057

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts amendments to Chapter 21, Subchapter HH, §21.1055 and §21.1057, concerning Exemption Program for Texas Air and Army National Guard/ROTC Students without changes to the proposed text as published in the September 26, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 9570).

There were no comments received concerning the proposed rules.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Education Code, §61.027 and §54.212 and Hopwood v. Texas, 78 F.3d 932 (5th Cir. 1996) which provides the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules concerning Exemption Program for Texas Air and Army National Guard/ROTC Students.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 23, 1998.

TRD-9801097

James McWhorter

Assistant Commissioner for Administration

Texas Higher Education Coordination Board

Effective date: February 12, 1998

Proposal publication date: September 26, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 483-6162


Chapter 22. Grant and Scholarship Programs

Subchapter F. Provisions for the Scholarship Programs for Vocational Nursing Student

19 TAC §22.103, §22.104

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts amendments to Chapter 22, Subchapter F, §22.103 and §22.104, concerning Provisions for the Scholarship Programs for Vocational Nursing Students without changes to the proposed text as published in the September 26, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 9570).

There were no comments received concerning the proposed amendments.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Education Code, Section 61.656 and Hopwood v. Texas, 78 F.3d 932 (5th Cir. 1996) which provides the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules concerning Provisions for the Scholarship Programs for Vocational Nursing Students.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 23, 1998.

TRD-9801098

James McWhorter

Assistant Commissioner for Administration

Texas Higher Education Coordination Board

Effective date: February 12, 1998

Proposal publication date: September 26, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 483-6162


Subchapter G. Provisions for the Scholarship Programs for Professional Nursing Students

19 TAC §§22.123, 22.124, 22.125

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts amendments to Chapter 22, Subchapter G, §22.123, §22.124, §22.125, concerning Provisions for the Scholarship Programs for Professional Nursing Students without changes to the proposed text as published in the September 26, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 9570).

There were no comments received concerning the proposed amendments.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Education Code, §61.656 and Hopwood v. Texas, 78 F.3d 932 (5th Cir. 1996) which provides the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules concerning Provisions for the Scholarship Programs for Professional Nursing Students.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 23, 1998.

TRD-9801099

James McWhorter

Assistant Commissioner for Administration

Texas Higher Education Coordination Board

Effective date: February 21, 1998

Proposal publication date: September 26, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 483-6162


Subchapter I. Provisions for the Fifth-Year Accounting Student Scholarship Program

22 TAC §22.163

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts amendment to Chapter 22, Subchapter I, §22.163, concerning Provisions for the Fifth-Year Accounting Student Scholarship Program (Eligible Students) without changes to the proposed text as published in the September 26, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 9570).

There were no comments received concerning the proposed amendment.

The amendment is adopted under Texas Education Code, §61.755 and Hopwood v. Texas, 78 F.3d 932 (5th Cir. 1996) which provides the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules concerning Fifth-Year Accounting Student Scholarship Program (Eligible Students).

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 23, 1998.

TRD-9801100

James McWhorter

Assistant Commissioner for Administration

Texas Higher Education Coordination Board

Effective date: February 12, 1998

Proposal publication date: September 26, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 483-6162


Part II. Texas Education Agency

Chapter 66. State Adoption and Distribution of Instructional Materials

Subchapter B. State Adoption of Instructional Materials

19 TAC §66.28

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) adopts new §66.28, concerning the identification of the essential knowledge and skills that will be used in evaluating textbooks. The new section is adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the November 28, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 11621).

The new section is necessary to specify essential knowledge and skills that would be used to evaluate instructional materials submitted under Proclamation 1997 of the State Board of Education (SBOE) Advertising for Bids on New Instructional Materials. The Texas Education Code, Chapter 28, requires that the SBOE, by rule, identify the Texas essential knowledge and skills (TEKS) that will be used in evaluating textbooks. In July 1997, the SBOE adopted new TEKS for the broad categories of English Language Arts and Reading and Spanish Language Arts and Reading. The newly adopted TEKS for these two categories do not, however, specify which of the TEKS are to be used in the individual subject areas that will be adopted.

The following change has been made to the rule since it was published as proposed.

Subsection (b) of the rule has been deleted since the SBOE has rule-making authority in this area.

No public comments were received regarding adoption of the new section.

The new section is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §28.002, which authorizes the State Board of Education, to identify the essential knowledge and skills.

§66.28. Adoption by Reference.

The sections titled "Content Requirements" in the 1997 Proclamation of the State Board of Education Advertising for Bids on Instructional Materials are adopted by this reference as the agency's official rule governing essential knowledge and skills that shall be used to evaluate instructional materials submitted for consideration under Proclamation 1997. A copy of the 1997 Proclamation of the State Board of Education Advertising for Bids on Instructional Materials is available for examination during regular office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays, at the Texas Education Agency, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 26, 1998.

TRD-9801133

Criss Cloudt

Associate Commissioner, Policy Planning and Research

Texas Education Agency

Effective date: February 15, 1998

Proposal publication date: November 28, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 463-9701


Chapter 109. Budgeting, Accounting, and Auditing

Subchapter C. Adoptions by Reference

19 TAC §109.41

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) adopts an amendment to §109.41, concerning the "Financial Accountability System Resource Guide." The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the November 28, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 11622) and will not be republished.

Section 109.41 adopts by reference the "Financial Accountability System Resource Guide" as the TEA's official rule. The "Resource Guide" describes rules for financial accounting such as financial reporting; budgeting; purchasing; auditing; site-based decision making; data collection and reporting; and management. Public school districts use the "Resource Guide" to meet the accounting, auditing, budgeting, and reporting requirements as set forth in the Texas Education Code and other state statutes relating to public school finance. The adopted amendment will improve financial accountability for educational programs in the Texas school system and keep financial management practices current with changes in state law and federal rules and regulations. Under §109.41(b), the commissioner of education shall amend the "Financial Accountability System Resource Guide," adopting it by reference, as needed.

No public comments have been received since the section was published as proposed.

The amendment is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §§7.102(b)(33), 44.007, and 44.008, which authorizes the State Board of Education to adopt rules relating to school district budgets and audits of school district fiscal accounts.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 26, 1998.

TRD-9801142

Criss Cloudt

Associate Commissioner, Policy Planning and Research

Texas Education Agency

Effective date: February 15, 1998

Proposal publication date: November 28, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 463-9701


Part III. Teachers' Professional Practices Commission

Chapter 177. Standards, Ethics, and Practices

19 TAC §177.1

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) adopts the repeal of §177.1, concerning teacher standards, ethics, and practices, on behalf of the Teachers' Professional Practices Commission, which was abolished in accordance with House Bill 2585, 73rd Texas Legislature, 1993. The repeal is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the November 28, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 11628) and will not be republished. The rule will be replaced with new 19 TAC Chapter 247, relating to educators' code of ethics, which was proposed by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and adopted by the State Board of Education, in accordance with Conforming Amendments to Senate Bill 1, 74th Texas Legislature, 1995, §63(i). The TEA will ensure that current rules remain in place until new rules are adopted. Adopted new 19 TAC Chapter 247 is filed in a separate submission.

No public comments were received regarding adoption of the new rule.

The repeal is adopted under Conforming Amendments to Senate Bill 1, 74th Texas Legislature, 1995, §63(i), which authorizes the State Board for Educator Certification to adopt rules on standards, ethics and practices.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 26, 1998.

TRD-9801134

Criss Cloudt

Associate Commissioner, Policy Planning and Research

Teachers' Professional Practices Commission

Effective date: March 1, 1998

Proposal publication date: November 28, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 463-9701


Part VII. State Board for Educator Certification

Chapter 229. Accountability System for Educator Preparation

19 TAC §§229.1-229.5

The State Board of Education (SBOE) adopts new §§229.1-229.5, concerning accountability system for educator preparation. The new sections are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the November 28, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 11628) and will not be republished. Texas Education Code, §21.045(e), states that not later than September 1, 1998, an educator preparation program must meet the accreditation standards proposed by the board (State Board for Educator Certification) and adopted by the SBOE. The new sections will appear under the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) portion of the Texas Administrative Code. The new sections outline the implementation of the accountability system and the standards for accrediting educator preparation entities.

Adopted new 19 TAC Chapter 229, Accountability System for Educator Preparation, will hold educator preparation programs responsible for the performance of their students to assure the state of a diverse and well- qualified educator workforce. The new sections address the accreditation and, when required, oversight of educator preparation programs. Reports will be sent to each educator preparation program annually. Entities with a rating of "Accredited - Under Review" will submit action plans to the SBEC. The new sections replace current 19 TAC §§230.1-230.4. The adopted repeal of §§230.1-230.4 is filed in a separate submission.

The following public comment was received since the rules were published as proposed.

Comment. The Texas Business and Education Coalition commented in support of the proposed new rules, in particular, the strong accountability standards.

The new sections are adopted under Texas Education Code (TEC), §21.045(e), which states that not later than September 1, 1998, an educator preparation program must meet the accreditation standards proposed by the board and adopted by the SBOE. In addition, TEC, §21.045, requires the SBEC to propose rules establishing standards to govern the continuing accountability of all educator preparation programs.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 26, 1998.

TRD-9801124

Dr. Criss Cloudt and Dr. Mark Littleton

Associate Commissioner, Policy Planning and Research and Executive Director

State Board for Educator Certification

Effective date: March 1, 1998

Proposal publication date: November 28, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 469-3012


Chapter 230. Professional Educator Preparation and Certifications

Subchapter A. Assessment of Educators

19 TAC §§230.1-230.4

The State Board for Educator Certification adopts the repeal of §§230.1-230.4, concerning educator preparation accountability system, without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 31, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 10596) and will not be republished.

The repeals are necessary because new rules on the accountability system for educator preparation will be adopted in new 19 TAC Chapter 229, by the Texas Education Agency (State Board of Education) with a March 1, 1998, effective date.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the repeals.

The repeals are adopted under Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 21, Subchapter B, §21.045, which requires the State Board for Educator Certification to propose rules establishing standards to govern the continuing accountability of all educator preparation programs.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 23, 1998.

TRD-9801044

Dr. Mark Littleton

Executive Director

State Board for Educator Certification

Effective date: March 1, 1998

Proposal publication date: October 31, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 469-3012


Subchapter Q. Permits

19 TAC §230.512

The State Board for Educator Certification adopts new §230.512, concerning emergency certificates, without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 31, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 10598) and will not be republished.

This rule reflects an interim change to existing rules on emergency permits until a new certification system can be developed. The new rule aligns current 19 TAC, Chapter 230, Subchapter Q (regarding permits) with language contained in Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 21, Subchapter B, §21.041(b)(2). The emergency certificate allows the district to fill vacancies with a qualified individual when certified individuals are not available.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the new rule.

The new rule is adopted under Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 21, Subchapter B, §21.041(b)(2) which requires the State Board for Educator Certification to propose rules that specify the classes of certificates to be issued including emergency certificates.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 23, 1998.

TRD-9801045

Dr. Mark Littleton

Executive Director

State Board for Educator Certification

Effective date: March 1, 1998

Proposal publication date: October 31, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 469-3012


Chapter 244. Certificate of Completion of Training for Appraisers

19 TAC §§244.1-244.4

The State Board for Educator Certification proposes new §§244.1-244.4, concerning certificate of completion of training for appraisers, without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 31, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 10598) and will not be republished.

The new rules are necessary so that educators will be assured that appraisers have been trained to understand and implement an appraisal process.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the new rules.

The new sections are adopted under the Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 21, Subchapter B, §21.041(b)(10), which requires the State Board for Educator Certification to propose rules providing for the certification of persons performing appraisals under TEC Chapter 21, Subchapter H.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 23, 1998.

TRD-9801046

Dr. Mark Littleton

Executive Director

State Board for Educator Certification

Effective date: March 1, 1998

Proposal publication date: October 31, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 469-3012


Chapter 247. Educators' Code of Ethics

19 TAC §247.1, §247.2

The State Board of Education (SBOE) adopts new §247.1 and §247.2, concerning educators' code of ethics. Section 247.1 is adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the December 5, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 11922). Section 247.2 is adopted without changes and will not be republished. Conforming Amendments to Senate Bill 1, 74th Texas Legislature, 1995, §63(i), require that the code of ethics be proposed by the SBEC and adopted by the SBOE, under TEC, §21.041, as added by this Act. The new sections will appear under the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) portion of the Texas Administrative Code. The new sections describe principles of professional ethical conduct; professional practices and performance; and ethical conduct toward professional colleagues, students, parents, and community.

The adopted educators' code of ethics will promote high standards of ethical conduct for the education profession. The new sections clearly state principles of conduct for each major area of an educator's responsibilities and supplement each principle with exemplary standards to guide the educator in applying them. The new sections will provide grounds for sanctioning the certificate of any educator found to be engaged in unprofessional practices in violation of the code of ethics. The adopted new sections are based on the current rules that were approved by a referendum vote of the profession. Additionally, the SBEC received input from educators through surveys collected in the 1996-1997 school year. As a result, the adopted new sections encourage compliance and enhance enforceability because educators believe they should follow and be held accountable for these standards of conduct.

The SBEC proposed and the SBOE adopted only one substantive revision to the former educators' code of ethics specified in 19 TAC §177.1, primarily to comply with laws protecting persons with disabilities. As previously worded, Principle II, Standard 2, required the educator to "possess mental health, physical stamina, and social prudence necessary to perform the duties of his professional assignment." Federal and state law, however, require employing school districts to make requested reasonable accommodations for educators with mental or physical disabilities who are otherwise qualified to perform the essential functions of their assignments. As revised, the adopted provision makes it a violation of the ethics code for educators to deliberately impair their mental or physical health by abusing drugs or alcohol, for instance.

The SBEC will comply with its procedures, procedures adopted by the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), and procedures set forth in the Administrative Procedure Act. Such procedures specify notification to SOAH and parties regarding disciplinary proceedings.

The adopted new sections replace current 19 TAC Chapter 177, Standards, Ethics, and Practices. The adopted repeal of 19 TAC Chapter 177 is filed in a separate submission. The new sections contain language similar to Chapter 177.

The following change has been made to the rule since it was published as proposed.

In §247.1, the phrase "pursuant to Chapter 249 of this title (relating to Disciplinary Hearings and Sanctions)" has been deleted. The SBEC is still in the process of reviewing rules for disciplinary hearings and sanctions.

No public comments have been received since the sections were published as proposed.

The new sections are adopted under Conforming Amendments to Senate Bill 1, 74th Texas Legislature, 1995, §63(i), which requires that the code of ethics be proposed by the SBEC and adopted by the SBOE, under TEC, §21.041, as added by this Act. Texas Education Code (TEC), §21.041(b)(8), requires the SBEC to propose rules that provide for the adoption, amendment, and enforcement of an educator's code of ethics.

§247.1. Purpose and Scope.

In compliance with the Texas Education Code, §21.041(b)(8), the State Board for Educator Certification (the board) adopts an educators' code of ethics as set forth in §247.2 of this title (relating to Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators). The board may amend the ethics code in the same manner as any other formal rule. The board is solely responsible for enforcing the ethics code for purposes related to certification disciplinary proceedings.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 26, 1998.

TRD-9801123

Dr. Criss Cloudt and Dr. Mark Littleton

Associate Commissioner, Policy Planning and Research and Executive Director

State Board for Educator Certification

Effective date: March 1, 1998

Proposal publication date: November 28, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 469-3012