BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 944 By: Harris (Goolsby) 05-02-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Under current law, a student entering into an institution of higher learning who has not placed high enough on the ACT or SAT exams is required to take the TASP exam. The TASP exam is taken before the student accumulates more than 9 hours. If the student fails the exam, they are subsequently placed into remedial courses to strengthen their learning abilities before having to retake the TASP. Typically, a student does not retake the exam before they reach 60 credit hours. After taking the test a second time, the student may still not pass due to a learning disability, such as dyslexia. However, by the time they take the test a second time, they may have already successfully completed half of their required college curriculum. Therefore, such students may not continue their college education until they ultimately pass the TASP. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 944 would exempt a student diagnosed with dyslexia from additional remedial coursework after taking the TASP exam a second time. 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 (q) to read as follows: Sec. 51.306. TESTING AND REMEDIAL COURSEWORK. (q) Provides that a student diagnosed as having dyslexia or a related disorder and who completes the remedial program prescribed by the institution may be required to retake the test once. The student may not be referred to any additional remedial courses or other remedial programs or prevented from enrolling in an upper-division course because of their performance on the test. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 51 F, Education Code, Section 51.3061 (f) to read as follows: Sec. 51.3061. TESTING AND REMEDIAL COURSEWORK FOR DEAF STUDENTS. (f) Provides that a student who has been diagnosed as having dyslexia or a related disorder and who completes the remedial program prescribed by the institution may be required to retake the test once. The student may not be referred to any additional remedial courses or other remedial programs as a result of the test. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION S.B. 944 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on May 2, 1995. The bill was reported favorably without amendment, 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 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 4 absent.