The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board proposes amendments to §4.54 of Board rules concerning exemption from the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative. Specifically, these amendments exempt high school students who achieve certain standards on the Mathematics and English/Language Arts sections of the exit-level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills from state-mandated testing for college readiness, and renumber the paragraphs.

Michael L. Collins, Assistant Commissioner, has determined that for each year of the first five years the amendments are in effect, there will not be any fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the amended rule.

Mr. Collins has also determined that for each year of the first five years the amendments are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of administering the amended section will be a greater alignment of secondary and post-secondary academic standards. There is no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the amendments as proposed. There is no impact on local employment.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Michael L. Collins, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711 or by e-mail at michael.collins@thecb.state.tx.us. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the proposed rules in the Texas Register.

The amendments are proposed under the Texas Education Code, §51.3062 and Texas Education Code, §51.307, which provide the Coordinating Board with the authority to propose rules concerning the Success Initiative.

The amendments affect the Texas Education Code, §51.3062.