SB 1231 enacted by the Texas Legislature limits the number of classes a student may drop. Under section 51.907 of the Texas Education Code, “an institution of higher education may not permit a student to drop more than six courses, including any course a transfer student has dropped at another institution of higher education.” This statute was enacted by the State of Texas in spring 2007 and applies to students who enroll in a public institution of higher education as a first-time freshman in fall 2007 or later. Courses affected include courses which students are enrolled in after the official reporting date for the institution with the exception of the following which are not included in the six drop limit:
- Courses taken by students while still enrolled in high school-whether for dual credit or early college credit or college credit alone.
- Courses dropped at private or out-of-state institutions.
- Other courses exempted by Panola College which include developmental courses and workforce education courses which do not lead to a degree.
- Courses dropped by the student to withdraw from the institution.
Panola College has adopted a policy under which exceptions can be made under certain circumstances. If the student can show good cause (as outlined below) for dropping a course, that drop will not be used in the drop count against the student.
- A severe illness or other debilitating condition that affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course;
- The student’s responsibility for the care of a sick, injured or needy person if the provision of that care affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course;
- The death of a person who is considered to be a member of the student’s family or who is otherwise considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student that the person’s death is considered to be a showing of good cause;
- The active duty service as a member of the Texas National Guard or the armed forces of the United States of either the student or a person who is considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student that the person’s active military service is considered to be a showing of good cause;
- The change of a student’s work schedule that is beyond the control of the student, and that effects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course;
Other good cause as determined by the institution of higher education.