SRC-HRD H.B. 1404 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1404
By: Kamel (Bivins)
Education
4-21-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Distance learning in higher education via video transmission and on-line
services is rapidly increasing.  About 20 of Texas' universities and
one-third of its community colleges offer courses via distance learning.
Last year, 60,000 students took a course via distance learning and that
number is estimated to grow by 20 percent each year. 

In Texas, institutions of higher education must meet two requirements to
offer courses through distance learning.  First, they must meet with all
of the higher education institutions in their region to ensure that
offering a course on-line will not cause unnecessary duplication of
courses, or jeopardize another institution's program.  If an institution
objects to the course, it may not be offered. Then they must meet certain
quality standards set forth by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board. There is concern that these requirements serve as barriers to
institutions' efforts to deliver their services. 

H.B. 1404 would authorize public technical institutes, public community
colleges, or a public college or university to offer courses via distance
learning without the approval of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board, if the courses are offered through computer access, are part of the
approved curriculum of the institution and have already been approved to
be delivered by distance learning.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1404 authorizes public technical institutes, public
community colleges, or a public college or university to offer courses via
distance learning without the approval of the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board, if the courses are offered through computer access,
are part of the approved curriculum of the institution and have already
been approved to be delivered by distance learning.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 61.051(j), Education Code, to prohibit any
off-campus courses for credit from being offered by any public technical
institute, public community college, or public college or university
without specific prior approval of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board (board).  Authorizes, however, any of those institutions without
additional board approval to offer a course within the approved curriculum
of the institution to a student who accesses the course through a computer
or computer network.  Requires the board, in order to facilitate the
delivery of courses by distance learning and to improve access to those
courses, to encourage collaborative efforts to make the benefits of
computer access to educational opportunities widely available. Requires
the board to maintain a central informational resource, to be called the
Texas On-Line University, accessible to the public through the Internet
and other similar telecommunications networks accessible by computer by
the general public, containing information relating to all
computer-accessible distance learning programs offered by institutions of
higher education and including computer links, addresses, or other
directions to assist an interested person to obtain additional information
directly from the appropriate institution. 
 
SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.