BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 1338
By: Rodriguez
03-29-95
Committee Report (Amended)


BACKGROUND

A student enrolled at a public institution of higher education is
required to take the Texas Assessment of Skills Proficiency (TASP)
prior to taking more than nine hours of course work.  The purpose
of the TASP is to assess the student's abilities to successfully
complete college-level work.  However, some students are enrolled
in certificate programs and do not go on to a four-year
institution.


PURPOSE

H.B. 1338 exempts students enrolled in a certificate program from
taking the TASP.


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 51 F, Education Code, Section 51.306(b)
and adds (s) to read as follows:

     Sec. 51.306.  TESTING and REMEDIAL COURSEWORK.  Exempts all
full-time and part-time freshmen enrolled in a certificate program
from having to take the TASP.

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 51 F, Education Code, Section 51.3061(b)
and adds (f) to read as follows:

     Sec. 51.3061.  TESTING and REMEDIAL COURSEWORK FOR DEAF
STUDENTS.  Exempts a deaf student who is a full-time or part-time
freshman enrolled in a certificate program from having to take the
Stanford Achievement Test.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.  
           Effective date:  upon passage.

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENT

The amendment states that this section would not apply to a student
enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 1338 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on
April 4, 1995.  The committee considered an amendment to the bill. 
The amendment was adopted without objection by a non-record vote.

The following persons testified in favor of the bill:

Dr. Bob Ramsay;
Ms. Betty J. Larson; and
Mr. Dale Hardgrove.

The bill was reported favorably as amended, 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 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0
pnv, 1 absent.