The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board) adopts amendments to Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter C, Texas Success Initiative, §4.54, without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 14, 2022, issue of the Texas Register (47 TexReg 6748). The rules will not be republished.

The adopted amendment codifies the updated college readiness benchmarks for the ACT assessment administered on or after February 15, 2023. These benchmarks are used by entering undergraduates to qualify for an exemption under the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) provided in Texas Education Code (TEC), Section F-1, 51.331 (et seq.).

In order to provide the most current standards for students to qualify for an exemption under the requirements of the TSI, the Coordinating Board periodically updates the benchmarks students use to qualify for a TSI exemption. This adopted amendment outlines updated benchmarks for the ACT, one of the assessments undergraduate students use to demonstrate readiness to enroll in entry-level college courses without support or with concurrent support, as required under TSI. Specifically, §4.54(a)(1)(A)(ii) adds the revised college readiness benchmarks effective on or after February 15, 2023. In alignment with assessment benchmarks outlined in §4.54(a)(1)(B), (C), and (D), these benchmarks are based on the assessment vendor's analysis of current student data and the likelihood of earning an A, B, or C in an entry-level college course in the subject areas of mathematics and English/reading. Section 4.54(a)(1)(A)(iii) adds information regarding the use of assessment score results based on clauses (i) and (ii), allowable since the assessment was not revised.

The Coordinating Board determined that the revised benchmarks are necessary to reflect the most current student data available in determining college readiness in meeting the requirements of the TSI.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of the amendments.

The amendment is adopted under Texas Education Code, Section 51.344, which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules as necessary to implement this subchapter.

The adopted amendment affects allowable exemptions under the Texas Success Initiative.