1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the transfer of course credit between public
1-3 institutions of higher education.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 61.823, Education Code, is amended by
1-6 adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows:
1-7 (d) In developing field of study curricula, the board shall
1-8 pursue a management strategy that maximizes efficiency, including a
1-9 management strategy that provides for the decentralization of
1-10 advisory committees to enable concurrent development of curricula
1-11 for different fields of study.
1-12 (e) Not later than January 1, 2003, the board shall develop
1-13 the field of study curriculum for not fewer than 10 degree programs
1-14 designated by the board not later than January 1, 2002, that are
1-15 high-demand degree programs for transfer students and that are
1-16 common to more than one general academic teaching institution. Not
1-17 later than January 1, 2003, the board shall report to the
1-18 legislature regarding the board's progress in developing the field
1-19 of study curricula required by this subsection.
1-20 (f) Not later than January 1, 2004, the board shall develop,
1-21 in addition to the degree programs designated by the board under
1-22 Subsection (e), the field of study curriculum for not fewer than
1-23 five degree programs designated by the board not later than January
1-24 1, 2003, that are high-demand degree programs for transfer students
2-1 and that are common to more than one general academic teaching
2-2 institution. Not later than January 1, 2004, the board shall
2-3 report to the legislature regarding the board's progress in
2-4 developing the field of study curricula required by this
2-5 subsection.
2-6 SECTION 2. Subchapter S, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
2-7 amended by adding Sections 61.830 and 61.831 to read as follows:
2-8 Sec. 61.830. PUBLICATION OF GUIDELINES ADDRESSING TRANSFER
2-9 PRACTICES. In its course catalogs and on its website, each
2-10 institution of higher education shall publish guidelines addressing
2-11 the practices of the institution regarding the transfer of course
2-12 credit. In the guidelines, the institution must identify a course
2-13 by using any common course numbering system adopted by the board.
2-14 Sec. 61.831. PURPOSE OF SUBCHAPTER. The purpose of this
2-15 subchapter is to develop a seamless system of higher education with
2-16 respect to student transfers between institutions of higher
2-17 education, including student transfers from public junior colleges
2-18 to general academic teaching institutions.
2-19 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-20 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-21 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
2-22 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-23 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1359 was passed by the House on May
8, 2001, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in
Senate amendments to H.B. No. 1359 on May 24, 2001, by the
following vote: Yeas 136, Nays 0, 2 present, not voting.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1359 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 18, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays
0, 1 present, not voting.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________________
Date
__________________________
Governor