HBA-GUM S.B. 1853 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1853
By: Bivins
Higher Education
5/14/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Senate Interim Committee on Funding Issues in Education was directed to
study the factors affecting undergraduate enrollment and graduation rates
at public colleges and universities in Texas after the 75th Texas
Legislative Session.  The study revealed that Texas' high school graduates
enroll in colleges and universities at about the same rate as their
national counterparts, and that the graduation rate from Texas' colleges
and universities is substantially lower than the national average.
Accurately determining the completion rate of students attending two-year
colleges is difficult because some students do not attend with the intent
of earning a degree or certificate.  Students attend community colleges to
acquire a certificate or degree, transfer credit to another institution,
take an occasional course, or receive basic literacy.  The state does not
distinguish for which reason a person attends community colleges, yet
decisions concerning appropriations and loans are based upon the assumption
that most students are pursuing a certificate or degree.  S.B. 1853
requires public junior colleges to report on the degree, certificate, or
other enrollment status of public junior college students. 

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 Subchapter A, Chapter 130, Education Code, by adding
Section 130.0036, as follows: 

Sec. 130.0036.  REPORT ON STUDENT ENROLLMENT STATUS.  (a)  Requires a
junior college district to report to the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board (coordinating board) on the enrollment status of
students of the junior college district in the form and manner and at the
times required by the coordinating board.  Sets forth the information the
report must include. 

(b)  Requires the coordinating board to attempt to avoid duplicating other
reporting requirements applicable to junior college districts in
administering this section.  Requires the coordinating board to consult
with the governing boards of the state's junior college districts in
determining the form, manner, and times of reports under this section. 

SECTION 2.  Requires junior college districts to report as required by
Section 130.0036, Education Code, beginning with the 1999 fall semester. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
            Effective date: 90 days upon adjournment.