HBA-JLV H.B. 1359 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1359
By: Villarreal, Mike
Higher Education
7/17/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature,  there was a lack of standardization of
credit transfer practices between twoyear colleges and public universities
in Texas.  To further expedite the reform of credit transfer practices, the
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), in conjunction with the
legislature, has worked to address the difficulties encountered by students
in transferring course credits.  House Bill 1359 requires THECB 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

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1359 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board (THECB), in developing field of study
curricula, to pursue a management strategy that maximizes efficiency,
including a management strategy that provides for the decentralization of
advisory committees to enable concurrent development of curricula for
different fields of strategy.   
Not later than January 1, 2003, THECB is required to develop the field of
study curriculum for not fewer than 10 degree programs designated by THECB
not later than January 1, 2002, that are high-demand degree programs for
transfer students and that are common to more than one general academic
teaching institution.  Not later than January 1, 2003, THECB is required to
report to the legislature regarding THECB's progress in developing those
field of study curricula.   

Not later than January 1, 2004, THECB is required to develop, in addition
to the degree programs previously designated by THECB, the field of study
curriculum for not fewer than five degree programs designated by THECB not
later than January 1, 2003.  Not later than January 1, 2004, THECB is
required to report to the legislature regarding THECB's progress in
developing those field of study curricula. 

The bill requires each institution of higher education (institution) to
publish guidelines addressing the practices of the institution regarding
the transfer of course credit in its course catalogs and on its website.
The bill provides that in the guidelines, the institution must identify a
course by using any common course numbering system adopted by THECB. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 14, 2001.