SRC-CTC H.B. 1359 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1359
By: Villarreal, Mike (Shapleigh)
Education
5/10/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is a lack of standardization of credit transfer practices
between two-year colleges and public universities in Texas.  To further
expedite the reform of credit transfer practices, the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board (board), in conjunction with the legislature,
has worked to address the difficulties encountered by students in
transferring course credits.  H.B. 1359 requires the board to develop field
of study curriculum for not fewer than 15 degree programs and requires each
institution of higher education (institution) to publish its practices in
transferring course credits between institutions.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 61.823, Education Code, by adding Subsections
(d), (e), and (f), as follows: 

(d) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board), in
developing field of study curricula, to pursue a management strategy that
provides for the decentralization of advisory committees to enable
concurrent development of curricula for different fields of study. 

(e) Requires the board, not later than January 1, 2003, to develop the
field of study curriculum for not fewer than 10 degree programs designated
by the board not later January 1, 2002, that are high-demand degree
programs for transfer students and that are common to more than one general
academic teaching institution.  Provides that, if the board fails to meet
the requirements of this subsection by January 1, 2003, for a designated
degree program, all lower division courses required for that degree program
are automatically transferable for credit between all institutions of
higher education that offer that degree program.  Requires the board, not
later than January 1, 2003, to report to the legislature regarding the
board's progress in developing the field of study curricula required by
this subsection. 

(f) Requires the board, not later than January 1, 2004, to develop, in
addition to the degree programs designated by the board under Subsection
(e), the field of study curriculum for not fewer than five degree programs
designated by the board not later than January 1, 2003, that are
high-demand degree programs for transfer students and that are common to
more than one general academic teaching institution.  Provides that, if the
board fails to meet the requirements of this subsection by January 1, 2004,
for a designated degree program, all lower division courses required for
the degree program are automatically transferable for credit between all
institutions of higher education that offer that degree program.  Requires
the board, not later than January 1, 2004, to report to the legislature
regarding the board's progress in developing the field of study  curricula
required by this subsection. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 61S, Education Code, by adding Sections 61.830
and 61.831, as follows: 

Sec. 61.830.  PUBLICATION OF GUIDELINES ADDRESSING TRANSFER PRACTICES.
Requires each institution of higher education to publish guidelines, in its
course catalogs and on its website, addressing the practices of the
institution regarding the transfer of course credit.  Requires the
institution, in its guidelines, to identify a course by using any common
course numbering system adopted by the board. 

 Sec. 61.831.  PURPOSE OF SUBCHAPTER.  Sets forth the purpose of this
subchapter. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.