HBA-MPM H.B. 1902 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1902
By: Wilson
Higher Education
3/31/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, certain standardized test instruments are used to gauge a
student's academic ability prior to entering a college or university.
General academic teaching institutions may consider a student's score on
these instruments as a factor in the admissions process.  H.B. 1902
prohibits an institution from establishing a minimum score on a
standardized test as a condition to admission as an undergraduate student.
Furthermore, it prohibits the institution from using the score in
admissions decisions, except as an indicator of academic ability. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.805, Education Code, by adding Subsection (f),
as follows: 

(f)  Prohibits a general academic teaching institution from establishing a
minimum score on a standardized test as condition to admission of an
undergraduate student or otherwise use the score on a standardized test in
admissions decisions, except as one of various indicators of academic
ability. 

SECTION 2.  Makes this Act applicable to admissions decisions beginning
with admission for the summer session of 2000. 

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