The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board proposes amendments to §4.28(d), (j) and (k), concerning core curriculum implementation. Specifically, the amendment to subsection (d) would provide clarification to institutions of higher education regarding the institutional core curriculum a student must follow. The new subsections (j) and (k) would provide clarification to institutions of higher education regarding the specific prohibition of institutional representatives allowing exemptions or waivers for any core curriculum course or component area requirements. It would also establish a limited procedure for Board staff to approve certain accommodations to the core curriculum requirements at a specific institution on a case-by-case basis. Several institutions have indicated that there is confusion about how to determine whether a student is a "degree-seeking" student. The proposed amendment to subsection (d) clarifies an existing rule and provides guidance to institutions as they develop policies about identifying enrolled students as "degree-seeking." The addition of subsections (j) and (k) will insure consistency and quality in the implementation of core curricula at the diverse institutions of higher education in Texas. Since 1997, institutional decisions regarding substitutions and/or waivers of core curriculum requirements have been discouraged as a matter of policy. These clarifications and the establishment of a procedure for requesting an accommodation to an institution's core curriculum should reflect consistency and fairness while protecting the integrity of the exemplary educational outcomes for each component area of the core curriculum. The matter of waivers or exemptions to the core curriculum is not specifically addressed in the statutory requirement concerning the statewide transfer of undergraduate core curriculum, but the matter is frequently brought to Board staff by institutional representatives requesting clarification and guidance.

Dr. Carol Raney 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 section.

Dr. Raney 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 section would be the increased ease of transfer of lower-division academic course credit and the subsequent facilitation of the Closing the Gaps Success goal through more efficient transfer practices. 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 Dr. Catherine Parsoneault ((512) 427-6168 FAX; or e-mail to Catherine.Parsoneault@thecb.state.tx.us). Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the proposal in the Texas Register.

The amendments are proposed under the Texas Education Code, §61.827, which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules to implement the subchapter regarding core curriculum and other transfer curricula.

The amendments affect Texas Education Code, §61.822.