The newly adopted TAC 129.1031 now ties reporting of off‑campus instructional programs directly to the Foundation School Program funding framework in TEC 48.005 and 48.007, so that eligible off‑campus instructional time counts for Average Daily Attendance (ADA) and state aid if specific statutory and documentation requirements are met.
Purpose and statutory basis
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The rule governs how districts and charters report off‑campus instructional programs for state funding purposes.
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Its statutory authority has been updated from prior Chapter 42 references to TEC §§12.106, 48.005, and 48.007, aligning it with the current school finance system and ADA requirements.
Student and program eligibility
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A board of trustees or a charter governing body may adopt a policy allowing students to participate in an off‑campus instructional program when it is provided by an eligible higher education institution that meets the accreditation criteria in 19 TAC §74.25.
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To be eligible, a student must be in grade 11 or 12, meet dual‑credit style college‑readiness requirements in the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook, satisfy any additional college eligibility rules, and have approval from the principal or designee.
Funding and attendance (link to TEC 48.005 and 48.007)
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Time a student spends receiving instruction in an approved off‑campus program is eligible for Foundation School Program funding and is included in attendance, consistent with ADA provisions in TEC Chapter 48.
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Campuses may select an alternate attendance‑taking time for a defined group of off‑campus students to ensure their ADA is captured accurately, but that time cannot be changed for the group once set, and attendance must follow the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook adopted under TAC 129.1025.
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Districts must maintain documentation of an agreement (MOU/contract) with the college for any student claimed under ADA under this section, supporting funding determinations made under TEC 48.005 and reported for entitlement under TEC 48.007.
Compliance with higher‑ed rules
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Off‑campus programs claimed under TAC 129.1031 must comply with Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules on teacher qualifications in 19 TAC, Title 19, Part 1, ensuring instructional quality consistent with dual credit/college instruction expectations.
