TITLE 19.EDUCATION

Part 2. TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY

Chapter 61. SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Subchapter FF. COMMISSIONER'S RULES CONCERNING HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS FOR CERTAIN VETERANS

19 TAC §61.1061

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) adopts an amendment to §61.1061, concerning high school diplomas for certain veterans. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 17, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 956) and will not be republished. The adopted amendment implements the requirements of the Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 28, Courses of Study; Advancement, Subchapter B, Advancement, Placement, Credit, and Academic Achievement Record, §28.0251. TEC, §28.0251(c), specifies that the commissioner by rule shall adopt a form for a diploma application to be used by a veteran or a person acting on behalf of a deceased veteran and shall specify acceptable evidence of eligibility of a diploma.

TEC, Chapter 28, Subchapter B, was amended by Senate Bill 387 of the 77th Texas Legislature, 2001, to add §28.0251. This section allows a school district to issue a high school diploma to a person who: (a) is an honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States; (b) was scheduled to graduate from high school after 1940 and before 1951; and (c) left high school before graduation to serve in World War II. A school district may issue a diploma to an eligible veteran notwithstanding the fact that the person holds a high school equivalency certificate or is deceased. TEC, §28.0251(c), requires the commissioner by rule to adopt a form for a diploma application to be used by certain veterans (or a person acting on behalf of a deceased veteran) to obtain a high school diploma. TEC, §28.0251(c), also requires the commissioner to specify acceptable evidence of eligibility of such a diploma. 19 TAC §61.1061 was adopted to be effective August 12, 2001, in accordance with statute.

TEC, §28.0251, was amended by House Bill 1058 of the 79th Texas Legislature, 2005. The revision extended eligibility to those scheduled to graduate from high school between 1940 and 1975 and included veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars. The adopted amendment to 19 TAC §61.1061 updates the rule to reflect the extended eligibility date and the additional specified wars. The application form provided as part of the rule is also updated accordingly.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §28.0251, which authorizes the commissioner of education to adopt by rule a form for a diploma application to be used by a veteran or a person acting on behalf of a deceased veteran and to specify acceptable evidence of eligibility of a diploma.

The amendment implements the Texas Education Code, §28.0251.

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 22, 2006.

TRD-200602862

Cristina De La Fuente-Valadez

Director, Policy Coordination

Texas Education Agency

Effective date: June 11, 2006

Proposal publication date: February 17, 2006

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


Chapter 102. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Subchapter EE. COMMISSIONER'S RULES CONCERNING PILOT PROGRAMS

19 TAC §102.1051

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) adopts new §102.1051, concerning the financial literacy pilot program. The new section is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 17, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 957) and will not be republished. The adopted new rule implements the requirements of the Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 29, Educational Programs, Subchapter Z, Miscellaneous Programs, §29.915, Financial Literacy Pilot Program. TEC, §29.915, as added by Senate Bill (SB) 851, 79th Texas Legislature, 2005, requires the agency by rule to establish and implement a financial literacy pilot program.

SB 851, 79th Texas Legislature, 2005, added TEC, §29.915, that establishes a financial literacy pilot program. The legislation requires the agency to collaborate with the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner and the State Securities Board to develop the curriculum and instructional materials for the program. The TEA is required to select no more than 25 school districts to participate in the program. Statute allows the TEA to solicit and accept a gift, grant, or donation from any source for the implementation of the program. The program may be implemented only if sufficient funds are available for that purpose.

The adopted new 19 TAC §102.1051 establishes, in rule, the purpose of the financial literacy pilot program; the application process for districts interested in participating in the program, including the criteria that would be used to select districts to participate; and specific provisions relating to notification, implementation, evaluation, and funding. The TEA is required to provide each member of the legislature with a report relating to the implementation and effectiveness of the program no later than January 1, 2007. Participating districts will be required to report specified information to the TEA in accordance with requirements specified by the commissioner.

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

The new section is adopted under the Texas Education Code, §29.915, which authorizes the TEA to establish and implement a financial literacy pilot program by rule to provide students in participating districts with the knowledge and skills necessary as self-supporting adults to make critical decisions relating to personal financial matters.

The new section implements the Texas Education Code, §29.915.

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 22, 2006.

TRD-200602863

Cristina De La Fuente-Valadez

Director, Policy Coordination

Texas Education Agency

Effective date: June 11, 2006

Proposal publication date: February 17, 2006

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