BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 1338
                                         By: Rodriguez (Luna, G.)
                                                        Education
                                                         05-19-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
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

As proposed, 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 grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.306, Education Code, by amending
Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (s), as follows:

     (b)  Deletes the time period of the fall 1989 and thereafter
     during which all students who enter public institutions of
     higher education must be tested for reading, writing, and
     mathematics skills.
     
     (s)  Provides that this section does not apply to a student
     enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less.
     
     SECTION 2.     Amends Section 51.3061, Education Code, by amending
Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (f), as follows:

     (b)  Deletes condition requirement of a deaf student who
     enrolls at an institution of higher education.
     
     (f)  Provides that this section does not apply to a student
     enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less.
SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date:  upon passage.