By King of Parker                                      H.B. No. 286
         77R319 JSA-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the admission to institutions of higher education of
 1-3     students with nontraditional secondary educations.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Section 51.9241 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 51.9241.  ADMISSION OF STUDENT WITH NONTRADITIONAL
 1-8     SECONDARY EDUCATION.  (a)  In this section:
 1-9                 (1)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
1-10     assigned by Section 61.003.
1-11                 (2)  "Nontraditional secondary education" means a
1-12     course of study in a nonaccredited private school setting,
1-13     including a home school, that covers substantially the same general
1-14     subjects as a traditional high school curriculum or is designed to
1-15     prepare a person for college-level study.
1-16           (b)  An institution of higher education must treat an
1-17     applicant for admission to the institution as an undergraduate
1-18     student who presents evidence that the person has completed a
1-19     nontraditional secondary education fairly and according to the same
1-20     general standards as other applicants for undergraduate admission. 
1-21           (c)  An institution of higher education may not require an
1-22     applicant for admission to the institution as an undergraduate
1-23     student who presents evidence that the person has completed a
1-24     nontraditional secondary education to:
 2-1                 (1)  obtain or submit evidence that the person has
 2-2     obtained a general education development certificate, certificate
 2-3     of high school equivalency, or other credentials equivalent to a
 2-4     high school degree; or
 2-5                 (2)  take an examination or comply with any other
 2-6     application or admission requirement not generally applicable to
 2-7     other applicants for undergraduate admission to the institution.
 2-8           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately.