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.