SRC-JRN S.B. 295 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 295
By: Sibley
Education
2-28-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, there is no legislation that provides a reporting requirement
to show the effectiveness of an institution's remedial program as required
by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. While general revenue
appropriation provided to community colleges and universities for remedial
instruction has risen from $38.5 million in the 1988-1989 biennium to
$153.4 million in 1996-1997, statistics indicate that about 30 percent of
university freshmen and 45 percent of community college freshman drop out
of school within one year.  This bill requires the effectiveness of an
institution's remedial program to be demonstrated in order for that
institution to receive funding. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 295 requires an institution to report on the
effectiveness of remedial programs in order to receive funding. 

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 51.306, Education Code, to delete the
requirement that the effectiveness of an institution's remedial program
and advising program, concerning the results of students being tested, be
included in its annually required report to the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board (board).   Requires an institution receiving funding
under Subsection (h) to report on the effectiveness of the institution's
remedial program, as required by the board.  Sets forth the required
contents of the report.  Requires the board to evaluate remedial programs
offered by public institutions of higher education and to compare remedial
education approaches against student progress.  Requires the board to
provide institutions with a model for remedial program evaluation and
technical assistance to institutions during the evaluation process.
Requires the board to audit public institutions' expenditures for programs
under Subsection (h) for the state fiscal years beginning September 1,
1993, September 1, 1994, and September 1, 1995.   Requires the audit to
list the 16 institutions receiving the most money, and it may include
other institutions.  Requires the state auditor to provide staff to the
board to assist in conducting the audit.  Requires the board to report the
results of the audit to the 76th Legislature by February 1, 1999.
Provides that this subsection expires September 1, 1999. 

SECTION 2. Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to
conduct the first evaluation of remedial programs under Section 51.306(y),
Education Code, no later than September 1, 1998. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.