SECTION 4.312. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Accredited--Holding institutional accreditation by name as a U.S.-based institution from an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

(2) Board or Coordinating Board--The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

(3) Commissioner--Commissioner of Higher Education.

(4) C-RAC Guidelines--Refers to the Interregional Guidelines for the Evaluation of Distance Education Programs (Online Learning) for best practices in postsecondary distance education developed by leading practitioners of distance education and adopted by the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions (C-RAC).

(5) Distance Education--Instruction offered by any means where the student and faculty member are in separate physical locations. It includes, but is not limited to, online, interactive video or correspondence courses or programs.

(6) Home State--A member state where the institution holds its legal domicile. To operate under SARA an institution must have a single home state.

(7) Host State--A member state in which an institution operates under the terms of this agreement, other than the home state.

(8) Institution--A degree-granting postsecondary entity.

(9) Member State--Any state, district or territory that has joined SARA.

(10) NC SARA--National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

(11) SARA--State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is an agreement among its member states, districts and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs.

(12) SREB--Southern Regional Education Board

Source Note: The provisions of this §4.312 adopted to be effective November 25, 2015, 40 TexReg 8204