By A. Smith of Harris                                 H.C.R. No. 68
                                 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, Education empowers Texas citizens to reach their
    1-2  full potential for healthy and productive living through increased
    1-3  skills and knowledge; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Texas' economic development and ability to compete
    1-5  with other states and nations in the future will depend on
    1-6  increased skills and knowledge among the state's workers; and
    1-7        WHEREAS, Public higher education is responsible and
    1-8  accountable for providing the needed skills and knowledge to all
    1-9  citizens of the state; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, Many high school graduates entering institutions of
   1-11  higher education in Texas have not completed courses that
   1-12  adequately prepare them for college-level work; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, Underprepared first-time students in Texas public
   1-14  institutions of higher education must complete remedial studies
   1-15  before taking college-level courses; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, The commissioner of education has publicly stated
   1-17  that university admission standards drive students' selection of
   1-18  courses in high school; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has
   1-20  endorsed the State Board of Education's "College Proficiency
   1-21  Specialization," which is a college  preparatory curriculum for
   1-22  high school students, to ensure better preparation for college by
   1-23  high school students; and
   1-24        WHEREAS, Public community and technical colleges in Texas are
    2-1  open admission institutions ensuring access to higher education for
    2-2  all people in the state; and
    2-3        WHEREAS, Public four-year universities in Texas maintain
    2-4  varied admission standards, but none equivalent to or more
    2-5  stringent than the "College Proficiency Specialization"; now,
    2-6  therefore, be it
    2-7        RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
    2-8  hereby express its expectation that Texas public universities use
    2-9  the "College Proficiency Specialization" as a model for minimum
   2-10  admission standards for students entering those institutions by
   2-11  academic year 2005 and thereafter; and, be it further
   2-12        RESOLVED, That, while changing admission standards, the Texas
   2-13  Legislature expects all universities to continue to strive for
   2-14  meeting the goals of the Texas Educational Opportunity Plan for
   2-15  Higher Education.