The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board) proposes amendments to §§4.53, 4.56, 4.57, and 4.59, concerning the Texas Success Initiative (TSI), to support developmental education reform efforts as related to Texas Education Code (TEC), §51.3062, Success Initiative.

Specifically, these amendments will provide institutions of higher education a more precise definition of the co-requisite and course pairing options which allow institutions to co-enroll qualifying students in developmental and college-level coursework, will add language to clarify that deviations to TSI Assessment administration processes and requirements are disallowed, will provide clarification for the college readiness standard for the writing portion of the TSI Assessment by outlining the required components and allowable combinations in meeting the standards, and clarify when an underprepared student may enroll in college-level coursework and is considered college-ready.

Dr. Judith Loredo, Assistant Commissioner, College Readiness and Success, has determined that for each year of the first five years the amended sections are in effect, there will not be any fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.

Dr. Loredo has also determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of administering the sections will be the improvement of persistence and success of entering college freshmen determined not to be college-ready. There is no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the sections as proposed. There is no impact on local employment.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Dr. Suzanne Morales-Vale, Director of Developmental and Adult Education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711 or suzanne.morales-vale@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, §51.307, which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules to implement the provisions of Texas Education Code, §51.3062, concerning the Texas Success Initiative.

The amendments affect the Texas Education Code, §51.3062.