Subject search results
3 Document(s) [ Subject: ]
| Committee: | Senate Higher Education | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Library Catalog Title: | Interim report / Senate Higher Education Committee. | |
| Subjects: | Automatic admissions | Community colleges | Developmental education | Distance education | Dual credit high school programs | Educational technology | Flagship universities | Higher education accountability | Higher education affordability | Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas | Job training programs | Student aid | Student transfers | Texas B-on-Time loans | Toward EXcellence, Access & Success Grant Program | Tuition | University finance | University student transfers | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.81 Ed83h | |
| Session: | 81st R.S. (2009) | |
| Online version: | View report [145 pages File size: 1,161 kb] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | Study and make recommendations regarding more cost-effective funding of financial aid, including ways to restructure financial aid programs to promote student success and the efficacy of the current $365 million in current exemptions and waivers offered to students at institutions of higher education. Examine the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and determine the impact on eligibility for existing Texas financial aid programs and on data availability resulting from the simplification. Include recommendations on how to expand the TEXAS Grant and B-on-Time programs. | |
| 2. | Review community college service areas to ensure that student needs are being met in the most effective and efficient manner. Study and make recommendations to improve the productivity and cost-effectiveness of the community college/university model for producing baccalaureate degrees, including identifying proven best practices; analyzing success rates of similar cohorts of students by comparing those who begin at community colleges with those who begin at four-year institutions; and analyzing transfer issues including dual admissions programs and academic advising services to facilitate a seamless transfer from two-year to four-year institutions. Include an assessment of the role of technical and vocational training programs and their impact on jobs. | |
| 3. | Study and make recommendations regarding improving developmental education, which costs the state over $100 million per year, with a focus on enhancing student success in these courses. | |
| 4. | Study and make recommendations regarding the current accountability system and ways to measure student progress, faculty workload, and student advising; and to improve time-to-degree. Examine the quality of academic advising services to ensure that students are taking courses relevant to their degree program and are on path for graduation. Study and make recommendations to eliminate unnecessary or duplicative reporting requirements. | |
| 5. | Examine cost drivers in higher education. Recommend opportunities for achieving cost efficiencies including reporting requirements, three-year degree programs, and community college baccalaureate degree programs. Study and make recommendations regarding more effective means of using technology, including digital textbooks and online degree programs, to improve access, enhance quality, and reduce the cost of higher education while preserving excellence. | |
| 6. | Review the structure and operation of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Evaluate the board's data collection systems, including costs to higher education institutions, and make recommendations for improvements. Include an assessment of higher education reporting requirements and make recommendations to eliminate duplicate requirements and streamline reporting. | |
| 7. | Review endowed funds at institutions of higher education to ensure compliance with all state laws and, in particular, the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act. Study and make recommendations for requiring all institutions of higher education to report annually to donors on the use of gifts and endowed funds. Review state laws to determine if they provide adequate oversight of these funds. Study the manner in which scholarship and other funds are given and bequeathed to institutions of higher education and make recommendations for ensuring that donors' wishes are honored while institutions are allowed appropriate flexibility with the use of the funds. | |
| 8. | Review dual credit courses, including the cost of delivery, funding mechanisms, and possibility of a statewide dual credit system. This review should also include an examination of the rigor, quality and consistency of dual credit courses. (Joint charge with Senate Education Committee) | |
| 9. | Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Higher Education, 81 st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation. Specifically, focus the following, as well as tuition legislation:
|
|
| Committee: | Senate Education Subcommittee on Higher Education | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Subjects: | Economic forecasts | Economy | Flagship universities | Health insurance | Higher education | Higher education accountability | Nuclear power plants | Student aid | University campuses | University graduation rates | University research | Workforce | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.80 Ed83h | |
| Session: | 80th R.S. (2007) | |
| Online version: | View report [112 pages File size: 8,273 kb] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | Examine different methodologies for assessing the quality of degree and certificate programs at higher education institutions and for measuring student learning outcomes. Review current institutional performance standards and make recommendations that promote academic and financial accountability. Review the method for measuring graduation rates to determine whether alternative measures are more appropriately suited for institutions with a large percentage of non-traditional students. | |
| 2. | Identify potential future economic trends and workforce needs, including those created by additional nuclear generation facilities, and identify strategies to help meet these needs. | |
| 3. | Examine ways to assess and improve academic advising to help students succeed in higher education and complete their course of study and graduate in the minimum time required. | |
| 4. | Study the need for new higher education institutions and make recommendations for developing a long-term strategy for creating and supporting new institutions, especially additional flagship public research universities. Explore methods for determining where such universities should be located and ensuring that such universities admit a qualified and diverse student body. Consider the state's allocation of and need for resources for medical education, including graduate medical education, geographic distribution of those resources, and the value of associating a medical school with a top-tier academic campus. | |
| 5. | Study research funding and assess the research infrastructure and capabilities at higher education institutions. Make recommendations for streamlining the various sources of funding (Texas Competitive Knowledge Fund, the Research Development Fund, and the Advanced Research Program) and for developing a statewide strategy for increasing research at higher education institutions, including ways to improve research commercialization. | |
| 6. | Evaluate the cost and feasibility of a range of options for providing health care insurance for students attending institutions of higher education. | |
| 7. | Review the status, effects, and success or failure of higher education authorities operating under Chapters 53, 53A, and 53B, Education Code, and nonprofit corporations carrying out the functions of higher education authorities under those chapters. Make recommendations regarding any necessary changes in the statutes and administration of same. (Joint charge with Senate Finance Committee) | |
| 8. | Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Subcommittee on Higher Education, 80th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor any pending federal legislation that would impact student financial aid. | |
| Committee: | Senate Education Subcommittee on Higher Education | |
| Title: | Interim Report | |
| Library Catalog Title: | Report to the 79th Legislature | |
| Subjects: | Affirmative action | Automatic admissions | Community colleges | Developmental education | Flagship universities | Higher education accountability | Higher education affordability | Medical education | Student aid | Texas B-on-Time loans | Tuition deregulation | University admissions | University finance | | |
| Library Call Number: | L1836.78 Ed83h | |
| Session: | 78th R.S. (2003) | |
| Online version: | View report [259 pages File size: 4,127 kb] | |
| Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
| 1. | Study the impact of admissions policies on enrollment in Texas public institutions and make recommendations for improving the admissions procedures, as necessary. The study should include, but not be limited to, a review of recent court decisions on college admissions policies, and an evaluation of the impact of the "Top 10%" law on college admissions. | |
| 2. | Study and make recommendations on the proper role, scope, and mission of community colleges. Develop innovative approaches to incorporating the community college system into the delivery of K through 16 education. Study the feasibility of allowing community college districts to expand their service areas for taxing purposes. | |
| 3. | Study developmental education programs in public higher education institutions. Identify alternative means of assessing the need for developmental education, the effectiveness of delivery of developmental education programs, and the appropriate role of developmental education. | |
| 4. | Study and make recommendations to modify the student financial assistance programs to provide better incentives for students to graduate on time with better grades, such as the B-On-Time program and work-study programs, and to simplify the application process for financial aid programs. | |
| 5. | Review and make recommendations relating to the adequacy of funding for graduate medical education, including funding required for professors, facilities, research programs and students. Review and make recommendations relating to increasing the number of health professionals. | |
| 6. | Joint interim charge with the Senate Finance Committee: Study and make recommendations relating to the development of a statewide accountability system for higher education that is consistent with funding strategies for higher education. | |
| 7. | Joint interim charge with the Senate Finance Committee: Study and make recommendations evaluating the cost of increasing the number of Tier 1 universities in Texas. Reexamine current and alternative methods of funding regional universities, community colleges, health science centers and their reimbursement for the provision of indigent health care, and universities. | |
| 8. | Joint interim charge with the Senate Finance Committee: Study the budgetary impact of legislation to deregulate tuition at institutions of higher education. This study should include, but not be limited to, a review of recent tuition increases authorized by this Act, their impact on affordability of higher education, and an evaluation of the expenditure of these funds. | |
Information on this website is provided as a public service by the Legislative Reference Library. The Legislative Reference Library makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy and makes no warranty in regard to its use. Users assume all risk of reliance on the information included on this site.