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.