HBA-SEP, JLV H.B. 1645 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1645
By: Delisi
Higher Education
7/9/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires each undergraduate student entering an institution of
higher education who does not achieve certain scores on the Texas
Assessment of Academic Skills test, American College Test, or Scholastic
Assessment Test to take the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test to
assess whether the student's skill level is adequate to perform effectively
in an undergraduate degree program.  There are exemptions from TASP for
students enrolled in distance learning outside the state, deaf students,
students who have graduated with a baccalaureate degree, and students who
are enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less.  Prior to the
77th Legislature, an undergraduate student transferring from an accredited
private, independent, or out-of-state institution of higher education
typically was not exempt from the TASP test.  House Bill 1645 exempts from
the TASP test requirement, a transfer student who has earned a grade of "B"
or better in each of the three skill areas covered by the TASP test at an
accredited private, independent, or out-of-state institution of higher
education. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1645 amends the Education Code to exempt an undergraduate
student transferring from an accredited private, independent, or
out-of-state institution of higher education if, in each of the three skill
areas covered by the TASP test, the student has earned a grade of "B" or
better in a transferred freshman level course included in the list of
courses established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for
each skill area of the TASP test. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 14, 2001.