TITLE 19.EDUCATION

Part 1. TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD

Chapter 21. STUDENT SERVICES

Subchapter NN. EXEMPTION PROGRAM FOR VETERANS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS (THE HAZELWOOD ACT)

19 TAC §§21.2099 - 21.2108

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts new §§21.2099 - 21.2108, concerning the Exemption Program for Veterans and Their Dependents (The Hazlewood Act) without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 3, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 3192).

Specifically, Senate Bill 101, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, amended §54.203 of the Texas Education Code, and gives the Coordinating Board rule-making authority for the state's exemption program for Veterans and their Dependents (commonly referred to as the Hazlewood Act). Through this program, eligible Texas veterans and dependent children of deceased Texas veterans are provided free tuition and reduced fees for up to 150 credit hours while attending public institutions of higher education. The bill also added new §61.0516 of the Texas Education Code, which assigns the Board the responsibility of creating and maintaining a state-wide database to track the veterans' and their children's use of their 150 hours of eligibility. The new sections reflect the basic requirements of the program and procedures for making awards and for meeting reporting requirements.

No comments were received regarding the new sections.

The new sections are adopted under the Texas Education Code, §54.203, which states that the Coordinating Board is authorized to adopt rules to provide for the efficient and uniform application of this section; and new §61.0516, which requires the Board to develop a system to electronically monitor the use of tuition exemption under §54.203.

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 July 22, 2005.

TRD-200503014

Jan Greenberg

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Effective date: August 11, 2005

Proposal publication date: June 3, 2005

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

Part 2. TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY

Chapter 33. STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES, AND GUIDELINES OF THE TEXAS PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND

19 TAC §33.35

The State Board of Education (SBOE) adopts an amendment to §33.35, concerning the Texas Permanent School Fund (PSF) guidelines for the custodian and securities lending agent. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 20, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 2965) and will not be republished. The section establishes the guidelines for the investment of cash collateral by the securities lending agent. The adopted amendment updates the guidelines for cash collateral investment in line with current market practices and standards.

The Texas Education Code, §7.102(c)(31), states that the SBOE may invest the PSF within the limits of the authority granted by the Texas Constitution, Article VII, §5, and TEC, Chapter 43. The rules in 19 TAC Chapter 33 establish investment objectives, policies, and guidelines for the PSF. Section 33.35 includes the guidelines for the investment of cash collateral by the securities lending agent.

The adopted amendment to 19 TAC §33.35 modifies criteria for permissible investments by changing maximum one-year maturity to 397-day maturity, adding asset backed commercial paper and securities, and specifying the requirement of ratings by Moody's Investor Service and Standard and Poor's Corporation for reverse repurchase agreements and foreign sovereign debt. The adopted amendment also modifies investment parameters by clarifying the definition of "Tier 1" credit quality and removing the prohibition of asset backed securities.

In accordance with Texas Education Code, §7.102(f), the SBOE approved this rule action for final adoption by a vote of more than two-thirds of its members to specify an effective date earlier than September 1, 2005, in order for the updated guidelines to be implemented in a timely manner, as necessary for effective investment management. The effective date of the adopted amendment is 20 days after filing as adopted.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §7.102(c)(31), which authorizes the State Board of Education to invest the PSF within the limits of the authority granted by the Texas Constitution, Article VII, §5, and the Texas Constitution, Article VII, §5(d).

The amendment implements the Texas Education Code, §7.102(c)(31), and the Texas Constitution, Article VII, §5(d).

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 July 25, 2005.

TRD-200503032

Cristina De La Fuente-Valadez

Director, Policy Coordination

Texas Education Agency

Effective date: August 14, 2005

Proposal publication date: May 20, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 475-1497

Chapter 111. TEXAS ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FOR MATHEMATICS

Subchapter B. MIDDLE SCHOOL

19 TAC §111.21

The State Board of Education (SBOE) adopts an amendment to §111.21, concerning the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for middle school mathematics. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 20, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 2968) and will not be republished. The section establishes the implementation of middle school mathematics, Grades 6-8. The adopted amendment establishes in rule an implementation date of the 2006-2007 school year for the refined and aligned middle school mathematics TEKS. A corresponding amendment to §111.31 relating to implementation of high school mathematics TEKS is also adopted in this issue.

The SBOE recently concluded the review process for the secondary mathematics TEKS in the areas of mathematics, Grades 6-8 (including Grade 6 Spanish mathematics); Algebra I and II; Geometry; Precalculus; and Mathematical Models with Applications. The review process included review of the TEKS by a work group of teachers, central office staff, and university personnel. After the work group refined and aligned the secondary mathematics TEKS, the draft revisions were placed on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) web site in the form of a survey to collect feedback from the public beginning in mid-May 2004. A summary of the survey results was provided to the SBOE at the July 2004 meeting.

The draft revisions were also provided to a review panel consisting of three highly regarded mathematics experts. At the September 2004 meeting, the SBOE was presented with a description of the expert reviewers' comments on the alignment and refinement of the TEKS. The SBOE approved the proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 111, Subchapters B and C, for first reading and filing authorization at the November 2004 meeting. Subsequent to the November meeting, the TEA staff placed a second survey on the TEA website to collect feedback regarding implementation. The survey results, which consisted primarily of responses from teachers and other school district personnel, were shared with the SBOE during the February 2005 meeting. Results indicated a preference for a fall 2006 implementation date rather than implementation beginning in the 2005-2006 school year.

During the February 2005 meeting, the SBOE adopted amendments that refine and align the TEKS for secondary mathematics and specified that implementation begin with the 2006-2007 school year. Accordingly, language to amend applicable sections to reflect this implementation date is adopted.

The adopted amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 111, Subchapter B, §111.21, establishes in rule an implementation date of the 2006-2007 school year for the refined and aligned secondary mathematics TEKS, as adopted by the SBOE in February 2005. The amendment is adopted to be effective August 1, 2006, for implementation with the 2006-2007 school year.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §7.102, which authorizes the SBOE to establish curriculum and graduation requirements; §28.002, which authorizes the SBOE to by rule identify the essential knowledge and skills of each subject of the required curriculum that all students should be able to demonstrate and that will be used in evaluating textbooks and addressed on the assessment instruments; and §28.025, which authorizes the SBOE to by rule determine curriculum requirements for the minimum, recommended, and advanced high school programs that are consistent with the required curriculum.

The amendment implements the Texas Education Code, §§7.102, 28.002, and 28.025.

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 July 25, 2005.

TRD-200503033

Cristina De La Fuente-Valadez

Director, Policy Coordination

Texas Education Agency

Effective date: August 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: May 20, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 475-1497

Subchapter C. HIGH SCHOOL

19 TAC §111.31

The State Board of Education (SBOE) adopts an amendment to §111.31, concerning the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for high school mathematics. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 20, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 2969) and will not be republished. The section establishes the implementation of high school mathematics courses. The adopted amendment establishes in rule an implementation date of the 2006-2007 school year for the refined and aligned high school mathematics TEKS. A corresponding amendment to §111.21 relating to implementation of middle school mathematics TEKS is also adopted in this issue.

The SBOE recently concluded the review process for the secondary mathematics TEKS in the areas of mathematics, Grades 6-8 (including Grade 6 Spanish mathematics); Algebra I and II; Geometry; Precalculus; and Mathematical Models with Applications. The review process included review of the TEKS by a work group of teachers, central office staff, and university personnel. After the work group refined and aligned the secondary mathematics TEKS, the draft revisions were placed on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) web site in the form of a survey to collect feedback from the public beginning in mid-May 2004. A summary of the survey results was provided to the SBOE at the July 2004 meeting.

The draft revisions were also provided to a review panel consisting of three highly regarded mathematics experts. At the September 2004 meeting, the SBOE was presented with a description of the expert reviewers' comments on the alignment and refinement of the TEKS. The SBOE approved the proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 111, Subchapters B and C, for first reading and filing authorization at the November 2004 meeting. Subsequent to the November meeting, the TEA staff placed a second survey on the TEA website to collect feedback regarding implementation. The survey results, which consisted primarily of responses from teachers and other school district personnel, were shared with the SBOE during the February 2005 meeting. Results indicated a preference for a fall 2006 implementation date rather than implementation beginning in the 2005-2006 school year.

During the February 2005 meeting, the SBOE adopted amendments that refine and align the TEKS for secondary mathematics and specified that implementation begin with the 2006-2007 school year. Accordingly, language to amend applicable sections to reflect this implementation date is adopted.

The adopted amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 111, Subchapter C, §111.31, establishes in rule an implementation date of the 2006-2007 school year for the refined and aligned secondary mathematics TEKS, as adopted by the SBOE in February 2005. The amendment supersedes implementation dates that are no longer necessary. The amendment is adopted to be effective August 1, 2006, for implementation with the 2006-2007 school year.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §7.102, which authorizes the SBOE to establish curriculum and graduation requirements; §28.002, which authorizes the SBOE to by rule identify the essential knowledge and skills of each subject of the required curriculum that all students should be able to demonstrate and that will be used in evaluating textbooks and addressed on the assessment instruments; and §28.025, which authorizes the SBOE to by rule determine curriculum requirements for the minimum, recommended, and advanced high school programs that are consistent with the required curriculum.

The amendment implements the Texas Education Code, §§7.102, 28.002, and 28.025.

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 July 25, 2005.

TRD-200503034

Cristina De La Fuente-Valadez

Director, Policy Coordination

Texas Education Agency

Effective date: August 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: May 20, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 475-1497