SRC-TAG C.S.H.B. 944 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 944
78R16526 JSA-DBy: King (Estes)
Subcommittee on Higher Education
5/21/2003
Committee Report (Substituted)

DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, during the application process for admission to an institution
of higher education, a "nontraditional secondary education" student, which
includes a student who was home-schooled or who attended a nonaccredited
private school is required to submit evidence or take an examination that
is not required for other applicants.  C.S.H.B. 944 prohibits institutions
of higher education from discriminating against students with a
"nontraditional secondary education." 

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 Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding
Section 51.9241, as follows: 

Sec. 51.9241.  ADMISSION OF STUDENT WITH NONTRADITIONAL SECONDARY
EDUCATION.  (a)  Defines "institution of higher education" and
"nontraditional secondary education." 

(b)  Requires an institution of higher education to treat an applicant for
admission to the institution as an undergraduate student who presents
evidence that the person has successfully completed a nontraditional
secondary education according to the same general standards as other
applicants for undergraduate admission who have graduated from a public
high school. 
  
(c)  Prohibits an institution of higher education from requiring an
applicant for admission to the institution as an undergraduate student who
presents evidence that the person has successfully completed a
nontraditional secondary education to obtain or submit evidence that the
person has obtained a general education development certificate,
certificate of high school equivalency, or other credentials equivalent to
a public high school degree; or take an examination or comply with any
other application or admission requirement not generally applicable to
other applicants for undergraduate admission to the institution. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.