SRC-DBM S.B. 1853 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1853 76R11098 JSA-DBy: Bivins Education 4/20/1999 As Filed DIGEST The Senate Interim Committee on Funding Issues in Education was directed to study the factors affecting undergraduate enrollment and graduation rates at public colleges and universities in Texas after the 75th Legislative Session. The study revealed that Texas' high school graduates enroll in colleges and universities at about the same rate as their national counterparts; however, the graduation rate from Texas' colleges and universities is substantially lower than the national average. Accurately determining the completion rate of students attending two-year colleges is difficult because some students do not attend with the intent of earning a degree or certificate. Students attend community colleges to acquire a certificate or degree, transfer credit to another institution, take an occasional course, or receive basic literacy. The state has no way to distinguish for which reason a person attends community colleges, but decisions concerning appropriations and loans are based upon the assumption that most students are pursuing a certificate or degree. S.B. 1853 would require public junior colleges to report on the degree, certificate, or other enrollment status of public junior college students. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1853 requires public junior colleges to report on the degree, certificate, or other enrollment status of public junior college students. 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 130A, Education Code, by adding Section 130.0036, as follows: Sec. 130.0036. REPORT ON STUDENT ENROLLMENT STATUS. Requires a junior college district, in the form and manner and at the times required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, to report to the coordinating board on the enrollment status of students of the junior college district. Sets forth the information which must be included in the report. Requires the coordinating board, in administering this section, to attempt to avoid duplicating other reporting requirements applicable to junior college districts and to consult with the governing boards of the state's junior college districts in determining the form, manner, and times of reports under this section. SECTION 2. Requires junior college districts to report as required beginning with the1999 fall semester. SECTION 3.Emergency clause. Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.