(a) The commissioner of education shall consider requests from districts or campuses for alternate test dates on a case-by-case basis. Alternate test dates will only be allowed if the campus or district is closed on the day on which testing is scheduled or if there is an exceptional circumstance as defined under this section that may affect a district's or campus' ability to administer an assessment or the students' performance on an assessment.     
      (b) For the purposes of this section, exceptional circumstances include but are not limited to the following:      
        (1) inclement weather or natural disasters that would cause a district or a campus to be closed or which would cause a small percentage of students to be in attendance on the day testing is scheduled;       
        (2) health epidemics that result in a large number of students being absent on the day of testing;       
        (3) death of a student or school official that may impact student performance; and       
        (4) sudden emergencies that occur on the day of testing or shortly before testing that may inhibit students from completing the assessments, such as a fire on campus, a bomb threat, an extended power outage, or a water main break.       
      (c) If an alternate test date for the primary test administration is approved, the commissioner may prohibit the district or campus from participating in UIL competitions on the new test date if that is determined to be in the best interest of the district, campus, and students.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §101.5003 adopted to be effective April 3, 2006, 31 TexReg 2858