The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board) proposes amendments to Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter B, §4.32, concerning Field of Study Curricula. Specifically, this amendment will increase the current Field of Study Curriculum from eighteen semester credit hours (SCH) to twenty SCH to provide more flexibility in the SCH required for Directed Electives.

The proposed amendment supports the implementation of the Texas Transfer Framework's Field of Study Curriculum work by allowing a total of twenty (20) semester credit hours (SCH) total for Discipline Foundational Courses and Directed Electives. Due to some disciplines having 4 SCH courses which are typically in science-based courses, it is not possible to meet the 6 SCH requirement for Directed Electives in existing rule.

Elizabeth Mayer, Assistant Commissioner for Academic and Health Affairs, has determined that for each of the first five years the sections are in effect there would be no fiscal implications for state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the rules. There are no estimated reductions in costs to the state and to local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the rule. There are no estimated losses or increases in revenue to the state or to local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

There is no impact on small businesses, micro businesses, and rural communities. There is no anticipated impact on local employment.

Elizabeth Mayer, Assistant Commissioner for Academic and Health Affairs, has also determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of administering the section will be more flexibility in the courses that students can take to complete lower division requirements for transfer, therefore increasing and streamlining the process for completion of a bachelor's degree. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the sections as proposed.

Government Growth Impact Statement

(1) the rules will not create or eliminate a government program;

(2) implementation of the rules will not require the creation or elimination of employee positions;

(3) implementation of the rules will not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency;

(4) the rules will not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency;

(5) the rules will not create a new rule;

(6) the rules will not limit an existing rule;

(7) the rules will not change the number of individuals subject to the rule; and

(8) the rules will not affect this state's economy.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Elizabeth Mayer, Assistant Commissioner for Academic and Health Affairs, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711-2788, or via email at elizabeth.mayer@highered.texas.gov. Comments will be accepted for thirty (30) days following publication of the proposal in the Texas Register.

The amendment is proposed under Texas Education Code, §61.823, which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to develop and approve Field of Study Curricula for certain fields of study/academic disciplines.

The proposed amendment affects Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter B, §4.32.