The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board proposes amendments to §4.28, relating to substitutions and waivers of core curriculum requirements, and accommodations for students demonstrating learning disabilities. Specifically, these amendments would change the portion of those rules regarding the approval of course substitutions for individual students who demonstrate evidence of a learning disability that precludes their fulfillment of the requirement through an approved core curriculum course. The change would relieve Coordinating Board staff of responsibility for the review and approval of individual requests. Instead, each institution of higher education would review documented evidence and approve or deny requests for course substitutions on an individual basis.

Dr. MacGregor M. Stephenson, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Research, has determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect, there will be no fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Dr. Stephenson 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 to ensure that institutions provide appropriate accommodation for students with documented learning disabilities, in order for those students to be able to complete an undergraduate degree successfully. There is no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed. There is no anticipated impact on local employment.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Dr. MacGregor M. Stephenson, Assistant Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711 or macgregor.stephenson@thecb.state.tx.us. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the proposal in the Texas Register.

The amendment is proposed under Texas Education Code, §61.051(g) and Texas Education Code §§61.821 - 61.832 which give the Coordinating Board the authority to develop and implement a fully transferable undergraduate core curriculum.

The proposed amendment affects Texas Education Code, Chapter 61, Subchapter S, §61.822.