HBA-GUM S.B. 1261 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1261
By: Bivins
Higher Education
5/2/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In 1997, the 75th Texas Legislature directed the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board (board) to develop a common core curriculum and a field
of study curriculum through advisory boards made up of at least a majority
of faculty members.  While the common core curriculum has been developed,
there has been little progress in developing the field of study curriculum.
S.B. 1261 establishes provisions regarding the appointment of faculty
members to certain curriculum advisory committees of the board and to the
development of a field of study curricula by the board.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 61.821, Education Code, by adding Subdivision
(3), to define "faculty member."  

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 61.822(a), Education Code, to require an
institution to consult with the faculty of the institution before
nominating or recommending a person to the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board (board) as the institution's representative on an
advisory committee aiding in the development of a certain core curriculum. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 61.823(a), Education Code, to require an
institution to consult with the faculty of the institution before
nominating or recommending a person to the board as the institution's
representative on an advisory committee aiding in the development of a
certain field of study curricula.  

SECTION 4.  Requires the board to conduct a study to examine the need for
and feasibility of developing a field of study curriculum in various fields
of study common to institutions of higher education.  Requires the board to
report the results to certain individuals, not later than September 1,
2000.  

SECTION 5.  Provides that each advisory committee established by board must
include a majority of faculty members, not later than January 1, 2000.  

SECTION 6.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.