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.