The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) Closing the Gaps by 2015--The master plan for higher education for the state of Texas, adopted in October 2000 by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, directed at closing educational gaps within Texas, as well as between Texas and other states, and which has four goals: to close the gaps in student participation, student success, excellence, and research. (2) College entrance assessment--The ACT and SAT or other assessments as determined by the commissioner that serve as indicators of student college readiness. (3) College readiness assessment--The ACT PLAN and College Board Preliminary SAT or other assessments as determined by the commissioner that serve as early indicators of student college readiness. (4) College readiness standards--The knowledge and skills expected of students to perform successfully in the workplace and in entry-level courses offered at institutions of higher education. (5) College ready student--One who has the knowledge and skills necessary to begin entry-level college courses with a reasonable likelihood of success and does not require developmental education. (6) Commissioner--The commissioner of higher education. (7) Faculty--A person who is employed by an institution of higher education on a full- or part-time basis as a member of the faculty or staff and whose duties including teaching, research, administration (including professional librarians), or the performance of professional services. The term does not include a person employed in a position which is in the institution's classified personnel system, or a person employed in a similar type of position if the institution does not have a classified personnel system. (8) Institution of higher education or institution--Any public technical institute, public junior college, public senior college or university, medical or dental unit, or other agency of higher education as defined in Texas Education Code, §61.003. (9) Statewide discipline-based college readiness vertical teams--Teams composed of public school educators and higher education faculty whose duties are consistent with those provided under §28.008(b) of the Texas Education Code. |
