TITLE 19.EDUCATION

Part 1. TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD

Chapter 17. CAMPUS PLANNING

Subchapter A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

19 TAC §17.4

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts amendments to §17.4(b)(7), §17.4(d)(2), §17.4(d)(6), and §17.4(h)(2) concerning approval of projects without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 28, 2003 issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 1776). Specifically, these amendments would permit the Commissioner to approve or evaluate new construction projects that add E&G space and increase the thresholds for Committee and Board approval or evaluation of projects that add E&G space.

The following comment was received regarding the amendments to the rules:

Comment: The University of Texas System stated that they agreed with the intent and fully support these changes. They felt that these changes can potentially streamline the approval process.

Response: Because this comment was favorable, there were no changes made.

The adopted amendments are proposed under the Texas Education Code, §61.027, which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules. These amendments are also proposed under Texas Education Code, §61.0572 which provides the Coordinating Board the authority to develop and publish standards, rules, and regulations to guide the institutions and agencies of higher education in making application for the approval of new construction and major repair and rehabilitation of all buildings and facilities regardless of proposed use.

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 May 2, 2003.

TRD-200302749

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective date: May 22, 2003

Proposal publication date: February 28, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6162


19 TAC §17.5

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts an amendment to §17.5(b)(2) concerning submission of projects without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 28, 2003 issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 1777). Specifically, this amendment would decrease the number of days that projects must be submitted to the Coordinating Board at the regularly scheduled Board meeting.

The following comment was received regarding the amendments:

Comment: The University of Texas System commented that changing this deadline from 60 days prior to the meeting to 70 days may be problematic for the System institutions because the cycle of regent meetings for project approval prior to submission to the Coordinating Board does not coincide with Committee on Campus Planning or Coordinating Board meetings. Alternatively, a joint committee of institution and Committee on Campus Planning members could develop a streamlined application process to reduce the administrative burden on the staff and leave the submission deadline unchanged.

Response: Staff is committed to working with the institutions to receive preliminary project applications pending regent’s review and approval. The additional ten days would enable Board staff to provide greater efficiency and accuracy for preparing Committee on Campus Planning agenda items. The application is currently under review, but it would not change the need for the increased time to process the increasing number of applications received. No changes were made as a result of this comment.

The amendment is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §61.027, which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules. This amendment is also adopted under Texas Education Code, §61.0572 which provides the Coordinating Board the authority to develop and publish standards, rules, and regulations to guide the institutions and agencies of higher education in making application for the approval of new construction and major repair and rehabilitation of all buildings and facilities regardless of proposed use.

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 May 2, 2003.

TRD-200302750

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective date: May 22, 2003

Proposal publication date: February 28, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6162


Subchapter B. NEW CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR AND REHABILITATION PROJECTS

19 TAC §17.10

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts amendments to §17.10(c) and §17.10(d) concerning thresholds without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 28, 2003 issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 1777). Specifically, this amendment would correct threshold language to be consistent with thresholds established in 17.4(a).

The following comment was received regarding the amendments.

Comment: Texas Tech University System commented that the use of the word "remodeled" in this paragraph may cause confusion and it is recommended that the phrase "repaired and rehabilitated buildings" be used in both instances to avoid confusion.

Response: The language in this rule is statutory, therefore no changes were made.

The amendment is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §61.027, which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules. This amendment is also adopted under Texas Education Code, §61.0572 which provides the Coordinating Board the authority to develop and publish standards, rules, and regulations to guide the institutions and agencies of higher education in making application for the approval of new construction and major repair and rehabilitation of all buildings and facilities regardless of proposed use.

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 May 2, 2003.

TRD-200302751

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective date: May 22, 2003

Proposal publication date: February 28, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6162


Subchapter E. INSTITUTIONAL REPORTING

19 TAC §17.40

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts the repeal of §17.40 concerning required reports without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 28, 2003 issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 1778). Specifically, the repeal of this rule would clarify reporting requirements of the Master Plans and require institutions to provide an annual report to the Coordinating Board.

The following comment was received regarding the repeal of the rule.

Comment: The University of Texas System opposes the recommended change stating that the System understands that the intent of the Bond Review Board’s Capital Expense Report was to review projects financed by bonds, not all construction, which is not reflected in the proposed rules. The University of Texas System expressed concern with the potential time and expense associated with reconfiguring institutional reporting systems. The University of Texas System also questions the definition of "information resource project". The University of Texas System proposed a change to 19 TAC §17.40 (1)(B)(i) to read: Any proposed construction (new or repair and renovation) greater than $250,000 for which debt financing is a funding source, any new construction with a cost greater than $1,000,000 and any repair and renovation greater than $2,000,000.

Response: §61.0582 of the Texas Education Code requires that institutions submit a campus master plan that includes an assessment of and a plan to address deferred maintenance, the amount the institution plans to designate for repairs, rehabilitation and deferred maintenance projects, and the funding source for any new construction projects costing more than $300,000 and rehabilitation projects costing more than $600,000. Section 1231.001 of the Texas Government Code defines thresholds for those projects that have a stated term of more than five years or with an initial principal amount of more than $250,000. These comments regarding the capital improvement plan have been reviewed by the Bond Review Board staff, and they concur that these thresholds are in their statute and, unless changed by law, are not negotiable. No changes were made as a result of this comment.

The repeal rule is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §61.027, which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules. This new rule is also adopted under Texas Education Code, §61.0572 which provides the Coordinating Board the authority to develop and publish standards, rules, and regulations to guide the institutions and agencies of higher education in making application for the approval of new construction and major repair and rehabilitation of all buildings and facilities regardless of proposed use.

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 May 2, 2003.

TRD-200302753

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective date: May 22, 2003

Proposal publication date: February 28, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6162


19 TAC §17.40

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts new §17.40 concerning required reports without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 28, 2003 issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 1778). Specifically, this amendment would clarify reporting requirements of the Master Plans and require institutions to provide an annual report to the Coordinating Board.

The following comments were received regarding the new rule.

Comment: The University of Texas System opposes the recommended change stating that the System understands that the intent of the Bond Review Board’s Capital Expense Report was to review projects financed by bonds, not all construction, which is not reflected in the proposed rules. The University of Texas System expressed concern with the potential time and expense associated with reconfiguring institutional reporting systems. The University of Texas System also questions the definition of "information resource project". The University of Texas System proposed a change to 19 TAC §17.40 (1)(B)(i) to read: Any proposed construction (new or repair and renovation) greater than $250,000 for which debt financing is a funding source, any new construction with a cost greater than $1,000,000 and any repair and renovation greater than $2,000,000.

Comment: Texas Tech University System also recommends that project status reporting be incorporated with the MP2, MP3, and MP4 reports rather than annually on the date of project approval to reduce their administrative burden.

Response: §61.0582 of the Texas Education Code requires that institutions submit a campus master plan that includes an assessment of and a plan to address deferred maintenance, the amount the institution plans to designate for repairs, rehabilitation and deferred maintenance projects, and the funding source for any new construction projects costing more than $300,000 and rehabilitation projects costing more than $600,000. §1231.001 of the Texas Government Code defines thresholds for those projects that have a stated term of more than five years or with an initial principal amount of more than $250,000. These comments regarding the capital improvement plan have been reviewed by the Bond Review Board staff, and they concur that these thresholds are in their statute and, unless changed by law, are not negotiable. No changes were made as a result of this comment.

The new rule is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §61.027, which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules. This new rule is also adopted under Texas Education Code, §61.0572 which provides the Coordinating Board the authority to develop and publish standards, rules, and regulations to guide the institutions and agencies of higher education in making application for the approval of new construction and major repair and rehabilitation of all buildings and facilities regardless of proposed use.

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 May 2, 2003.

TRD-200302752

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective date: May 22, 2003

Proposal publication date: February 28, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6162


Chapter 21. STUDENT SERVICES

Subchapter C. HINSON-HAZLEWOOD COLLEGE STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM FOR ALL LOANS WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE FEDERAL FAMILY EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM, THE COLLEGE ACCESS LOAN PROGRAM, THE HEALTH EDUCATION ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM, AND THE HEALTH EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM

19 TAC §§21.51 - 21.65

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts the repeal of §§21.51 - 21.65 concerning the Hinson-Hazlewood Loan Program without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 28, 2003 issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 1779). New §§21.51 - 21.64 concerning the Hinson-Hazlewood Loan Program are contemporaneously published in this issue of the Texas Register . Specifically, the rules proposed for repeal cover the administration of the Hinson-Hazlewood Loan Program. This program includes the Federal Family Education Loan Program, the College Access Loan Program, the Health Education Assistance Loan Program, and the Health Education Loan Program. Board staff wished to provide better organization and to increase clarity. The proposed rewrite contains new and revised definitions, reorganizes the subchapter in a more logical sequence, updates references to federal and state law, and clarifies the authority of the Board to administer this program. The rules proposed for enactment contain very few departures from current Board practice.

There were no comments received regarding the repeal of the rules.

The repeal is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §61.027, which provides the Coordinating Board with general rule-making authority and Texas Education Code, §52.01, which provides the Board with the authority to administer the student loan program.

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 May 2, 2003.

TRD-200302748

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective date: May 22, 2003

Proposal publication date: February 28, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6162


Subchapter C. HINSON-HAZLEWOOD COLLEGE STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM

19 TAC §§21.51 - 21.64

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts new §§21.51 - 21.64 concerning the Hinson-Hazlewood Loan Program without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 28, 2003 issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 1780). Existing §§21.51 - 21.65, which these new sections replace, are contemporaneously proposed for repeal in this issue of the Texas Register . Specifically, these new sections cover the administration of the Hinson-Hazlewood Loan Program. This program includes the Federal Family Education Loan Program, the College Access Loan Program, the Health Education Assistance Loan Program, and the Health Education Loan Program. To provide better organization and increase clarity, the proposed new sections contain new and revised definitions, reorganize the subchapter in a more logical sequence, update references to federal and state law, and clarify the authority of the Board to administer this program. The new sections allow students who are enrolled at least half-time at an institution to be eligible for a loan through the program, simplify the information that needs to be provided by borrowers for references, eliminate the requirement of a cosigner if the borrower has received a favorable evaluation of his/her credit report, and delegate to the Commissioner of Higher Education the authority to set origination fees, loan limits, and the interest rates for the College Access Loan Program and the Health Education Loan Program.

There were no comments received regarding the new rules

The new sections are adopted under the Texas Education Code, §61.027, which provides the Coordinating Board with general rule-making authority and Texas Education Code, §52.01, which provides the Board with the authority to administer the student loan program.

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 May 2, 2003.

TRD-200302747

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective date: May 22, 2003

Proposal publication date: February 28, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6162


Part 7. STATE BOARD FOR EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION

Chapter 239. STUDENT SERVICES CERTIFICATES

Subchapter E. MASTER TEACHER CERTIFICATE

19 TAC §§239.100 - 239.103

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) adopts new Subchapter E, related to the master teacher certificates, of 19 TAC Chapter 239, related to student services certificates. New §239.100, related to general provisions for master teacher certificates; §239.101, related to master reading teacher certification; §239.102, related to master mathematics teacher certification; and §239.103, related to master technology teacher certification, without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 7, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 2016) and will not be republished.

The purpose of the new rules is to set the requirements for obtaining a master teacher certificate. Although the statutes establishing master teacher certification for reading, mathematics, and technology are detailed, the legislation requires SBEC to adopt rules regarding the certificates. SBEC has taken this opportunity to clarify certain issues related to the statutory provisions through the adopted rules, including the following provisions:

1. all proposals for master teacher programs must be approved by the SBEC;

2. the curriculum must be based on the standards for the respective master teacher certificate;

3. any course of instruction required for certification must be completed through an SBEC-approved preparation program;

4. for candidates who do not already hold qualified certification that exempts them from the requirement, a field-based practicum must be completed through an SBEC-approved program; and

5. the master teacher candidate must satisfy other requirements generally applicable to any certificate issued by SBEC, such as paying a certification fee and clearing a criminal history check.

The regulatory requirements for each master teacher certificate reflect the related statutory provisions and are designed to ensure that every certificate candidate demonstrate the knowledge and skills expected of a master teacher in each respective field.

The State Board for Educator Certification received no comments regarding the adoption of the new rules.

The rules are adopted under the statutory authority of the following sections of the Education Code: §21.031(a), which vests SBEC with the authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of the certification, continuing education, and standards of conduct of public school educators; §21.041(b)(1), Education Code, which requires SBEC to propose rules that provide for the regulation of educators and the general administration of Chapter 21, Subchapter B, in a manner consistent with that subchapter; §21.041(b)(2), which requires SBEC to specify the classes of certificates to be issued; §21.041(b)(3), which requires SBEC to specify the period for which each class of educator certificate is valid; §21.041(b)(4), which requires SBEC to specify the requirements for the issuance and renewal of an educator certificate; §21.041(b)(9), which requires SBEC provide for continuing education requirements; §21.042, which requires SBEC to submit proposed rules to the State Board of Education for review prior to adoption; §21.048, which requires SBEC to propose rules prescribing comprehensive examinations for each class of certificate issued by SBEC; §21.0481, which requires SBEC to establish a master reading teacher certificate; §21.0482, as added by HB 1144, 77th Texas Legislature, 2001, which requires SBEC to establish a master mathematics teacher certificate; §21.0482, as added by HB 1475, 77th Texas Legislature, 2001, which requires SBEC to establish a master technology teacher certificate.

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 May 2, 2003.

TRD-200302766

William Franz

Executive Director

State Board for Educator Certification

Effective date: May 22, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 238-3280