BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.B. 31
By: Kubiak
May 5, 1995
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

In Texas, institutions of higher education have different policies
for calculating the grade point average (GPA) of a student
repeating a course.  There are some institutions who will calculate
the student's overall GPA by using the higher grade to replace the
lower grade.  Other institutions will delete the earlier grade and
substitute the later grade in the GPA computation, even if the
later grade is equal to, or less than, the earlier grade.  Yet
other institutions, include both grades in the GPA computation or,
if the student takes the course three or more times, all grades are
entered into the calculation.  


PURPOSE

If enacted, C.S.H.B. 31 requires that institutions of higher
education adopt a uniform policy for calculating the GPA of a
student who has repeated a course in the same institution.


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.


SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1:  Amends Chapter 61C, Education Code, by adding Section
61.0741 to read as follows:

     Sec. 61.0741.  EFFECT OF REPEATING UNDERGRADUATE COURSE ON
GRADE POINT AVERAGE.  (a)  Requires institutions of higher
education to adopt a uniform policy appropriate to all students for
calculating their GPA when they have repeated a course in the same
institution.  This section outlines the different methods of
calculating the student's GPA.  (b)  This does not apply to a
student who repeats one or more courses that could result in the
exclusion of a total of more that 15 credit hours from the
calculation of the student's GPA.  (c)  The content of the course
may not have varied significantly from the first time it was
undertaken.  (d)  A student may be given the course only one time
in order to be afforded the benefits of this legislation.  (e) 
This benefit does not apply to a graduate-level course or for
students enrolled for credit in a post-graduate program.  (f)  In
addition, the transcript must retain references to all coursework
undertaken.  (g)  The tuition rate to be paid by any student
electing to repeat an undergraduate course pursuant to this
subsection shall be the amount determined by the Coordinating
Board.

SECTION 2: Effective date:  Fall, 1996.

SECTION 3: Emergency clause.  


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

In Sec. 61.0741 (a), the original bill excludes from the
calculation of the grade point average a grade that is the
equivalent of a "C," "D," or "F" received by the student the first
time the student completed a course if the grade is superior to the
grade received the first time.  The  committee substitute instead
requires each institution to adopt a uniform policy applicable to
all student for calculating their grade point average and provides
two methods to choose from. 

In Sec. 61.0741 (f), the original bill states that a grade excluded
under this section must be included in the transcript.  The
committee substitute contains the same idea and adds the
institution is not authorized to change the student's permanent
record.  

In SECTION 2, Sec. 54.051 (o), the original bill focuses on the
tuition for a course that a student repeats.  The committee
substitute addresses tuition in Section 61.074 by adding Subsection
(g) which states that the Coordinating Board shall determine the
tuition rate to be paid by any student electing to repeat an
undergraduate course.  The increased tuition rate shall apply to
the repeated course, and not any other courses in which the student
may be enrolled.  The substitute deletes the addition of Section
54.051 (o) of the original bill.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 31 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on
April 4, 1995.  

The committee considered a complete substitute for the bill.

The following persons testified in favor of the bill:
Mr. Gilberto Garcia, Jr.;
Ms. Meredith Linn Frazier;
Mr. Gregory Watson; and
Mr. Brandon Bickler.

The following person testified against the bill:
Mr. Mike Allen.

The following persons testified neutrally on the bill:
Mr. Dale Hardgrove; and
Mr. Budge Mabry.

The bill was left pending.

H.B. 31 was considered by the committee in a formal meeting on
April 20, 1995.

The committee considered a complete substitute for the bill.  The
substitute was adopted without objection by a non-record vote.

The bill was reported favorably as substituted, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed and failed by a
record vote of 4 ayes, 2 nays, 0 pnv, 3 absent.

The bill was left pending.

H.B. 31 was considered by the committee in a formal meeting on May
5, 1995.

The committee reconsidered the committee substitute to H.B. 31,
which was adopted at a formal meeting on April 20, 1995.  The
substitute was withdrawn without objection by a non-record vote.

The committee considered a complete substitute for the bill.  An
amendment was offered to the substitute.  The amendment was adopted
without objection by a non-record vote.  The substitute as amended
was adopted without objection by a non-record vote.  

The chair directed the staff to incorporate the amendment into the
substitute.

The bill was reported favorably as substituted, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the
Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of 7
ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 2 absent.