The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board) proposes amendments to the Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter C, §§4.56, 4.57, and 4.62, concerning the Texas Success Initiative. Specifically, these amendments will provide college readiness benchmarks for the revised assessment approved by the Board under this title and provide the final phase for implementation of corequisite models supporting underprepared students.

The amendment to §4.56 replaces the TSI Assessment, which expires in January 2021, with the TSI Assessment, Version 2.0 (TSIA2), as the Board-approved assessment instrument under this title. The amendment to §4.57 adds the college readiness benchmarks, based on faculty-driven, psychometric standard setting processes, for the TSIA2 and clarifies that results from both assessment instruments remain valid for the purposes of this title for five (5) years from date of testing. With regard to §4.62(8)(A)(iv), statewide developmental education (DE) outcomes data continue to demonstrate that underprepared students enrolled in corequisite models consistently and significantly outperform students in traditional stand-alone DE with regard to meeting college readiness and first college-level course completions. The amendment to §4.62 provides the final phase of corequisite implementation for 2021 and thereafter, ensuring eligible underprepared students are afforded the best opportunity in building momentum towards important milestones leading to certificate/degree completions and transfers.

R. Jerel Booker, J.D., Assistant Commissioner for College Readiness and Success, has determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect, there will not be any fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules. There is no impact on small businesses, micro businesses, and rural communities. There is no anticipated impact on local employment.

Dr. Booker 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 the improved outcomes for underprepared students entering public institutions of higher education. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed.

Government Growth Impact Statement

(1) The rules will not create or eliminate a government program;

(2) implementation of the rules will not require the creation or elimination of employee positions;

(3) implementation of the rules will not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency;

(4) the rules will not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency;

(5) the rules will not create a new rule;

(6) the rules will not limit an existing rule;

(7) the rules will change the number of individuals subject to the rule; and

(8) the rules will not affect this state's economy.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Jerel Booker, Assistant Commissioner for College Readiness and Success, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas, 78711, cri@highered.texas.gov. 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, Section 51.344, which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to adopt rules to implement the provisions of Texas Education Code, Chapter 51, Subchapter F-1 concerning the Texas Success Initiative.

The proposed amendments affect Texas Education Code, Chapter 51, Subchapter F-1 concerning the Texas Success Initiative.