SRC-DPW C.S.S.B. 1356 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1356 76R13807 KEL-DBy: Barrientos Education 4/30/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, demographic research states that certain statewide minority population percentages are not being reflected in the student population of the state's graduate and professional schools. This bill would set forth guidelines for providing certain students with an equal opportunity to enroll in or receive a competitive scholarship for a graduate or professional degree program. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1356 sets forth guidelines for providing certain students with an equal opportunity to enroll in or receive a competitive scholarship for a graduate or professional degree program. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 (Section 51.823, Education Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Subchapter V, as follows: SUBCHAPTER V. ADMISSION AND SCHOLARSHIP POLICIES FOR GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS Sec. 51.821. DEFINITIONS. Defines "general academic teaching institution," "medical and dental unit," "graduate program," and "professional program." Sec. 51.822. ADMISSION AND SCHOLARSHIP FACTORS FOR GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS. Requires a general academic teaching institution or medical or dental unit to consider certain factors, in addition to any institutional, unit, professional, or accreditation factors, in making admissions or decisions for admissions into or competitive scholarships for the graduate or professional program of the institution or unit. Prohibits the applicant's performance on a standardized test from being used in the admissions or competitive scholarship process as the sole criterion for consideration of the applicant. Requires each general academic teaching institution or medical and dental unit to publish and make available to the public factors to be considered in scholarship granting decisions one year before scholarships are first considered. Provides that the requirements of Subsection (c) do not apply to scholarships for the 2000 fall semester. Requires each institution or unit covered in Subsection (c) to make the required information available to the public, applicants, graduates, and professional programs before December 1, 1999 for the 2000 fall semester. Provides that this section expires September 1, 2000. Sec. 51.823. RULEMAKING. Authorizes the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to adopt rules relating to the operation of admissions and competitive scholarship processes. Sec. 51.824. REPORT. Requires each general academic teaching institution or medical and dental unit to annually report to the board the demographic composition of the entering class of students admitted and enrolled under this subchapter, according to race, ethnicity, and gender. SECTION 2. Provides that the change in the law made by this Act applies beginning with admissions and competitive scholarships for the 2000 - 2001 academic year. Requires the board and certain institutions and units to adopt rules regarding the admission of students, no later that January 1, 2000. SECTION 3.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.822, Education Code, to require a general academic teaching institution or medical or dental unit to consider certain factors, in addition to any institutional, unit, professional, or accreditation factors, in making admissions or decisions for admissions into or competitive scholarships for the graduate or professional program of the institution or unit. Revises the factors required to be considered to include eligibility for need-based financial aid as an undergraduate, attendance in a secondary school underserved by a profession, and other factors considered to be necessary to accomplish the stated mission, and removing factors that included an applicants socioeconomic background, attendance in elementary and secondary school, and region of residence at the time of application. Prohibits the applicant's performance on a standardized test from being used in the admissions or competitive scholarship process as the sole criterion for consideration of the applicant. Provides that the requirements of Subsection (c) do not apply to scholarships for the 2000 fall semester. Deletes a provision authorizing standardized test scores to be used under certain conditions. Deletes a provision prohibiting standardized test scores from being used. Makes a conforming change. Adds Section 51.824, Education Code, to require each general academic teaching institution or medical and dental unit to annually report to the board the demographic composition of the entering class of students admitted and enrolled under this subchapter, according to race, ethnicity, and gender.