SRC-AAA S.B. 1473 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1473
By: Ellis
Finance
4-4-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, most universities have a minimum workload policy for professors
to teach three courses. A 1994 State Auditor's Office report found that
professors in public universities taught an average of just two courses
per semester.  This bill would direct the Higher Education Coordinating
Board to establish standards for faculty teaching loads.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1473 would direct the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board to establish standards for faculty teaching loads.  

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 Chapter 51H, Education Code, by adding Section 51.406,
as follows: 

Sec. 51.406. CLASSROOM TEACHING LOAD STANDARDS.  Requires the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board (board) to establish standards for faculty
teaching loads for all general academic teaching institutions.  Sets forth
requirements of  standards for faculty teaching loads for all general
academic teaching institutions.  Defines "general academic teaching
institutions."  Sets forth applicability of the standards for faculty
teaching loads. Sets forth requirements for funds saved by the reduction
to the funding base.  Requires the board to use certain standards until
teaching load standards are established.  Sets forth effects of failing to
satisfy faculty teaching loads standards. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.