The University Interscholastic League Legislative Council met recently at headquarters in Austin to make decisions on proposed rule changes.
The rule changes would cover academics, athletics, music and overall policy.
The council approved proposals to create pilot contests in robotics, copy editing, Conference 1A marching band and computer science for A-plus academics.
In academics, the council voted to place on a referendum ballot a proposal to allow schools in Conferences 1A and 2A to use eighth-grade students for One-Act Play.
An amendment to eliminate the speaker at the state level Feature Writing Contest also was given approval.
In athletics, an amendment to create a pilot program providing home field advantage to the higher seed in the first round of the 2015 Conference 6A football playoffs was unanimously approved.
They also voted to increase the number of teams advancing to the playoffs from each district from three to four for all Conference 2A varsity team sports.
A proposal to create a separate championship for Conference 1A volleyball for the 2015-16 academic year was accepted.
The current alignment will be used with 2A and 1A schools grouped together for districts. Then Conference 2A and 1A schools would be divided into a separate playoff brackets.
In music, the council approved a pilot project for a state mariachi contest.
The Commissioner of Education must approve the amendments the UIL council passes before they take effect. If accepted, these rules would go into effect on Aug. 1, 2015.

University Interscholastic League. (Logo provided by the University Interscholastic League)