SRC-TAG, TAG, VRA S.B. 26 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 26 By: Zaffirini Education 3/20/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, there is a need for colleges and university campuses to establish retention programs to assist students in maximizing their potential for academic success. Many at-risk students may not be prepared for college-level work and may need assistance to achieve success. As proposed, S.B. 26 develops a mentorship program in higher education that targets high at-risk students who are first generation college attenders, low income or educationally under-prepared. This bill seeks to meet the goals of the Closing the Gap report by assisting at-risk college students to remain enrolled and to graduate from college. 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 Chapter 51A, Education Code, by adding Section 51.9356, as follows: Sec. 51.9356. PILOT PROGRAM REGARDING THE RETENTION OF STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to develop a pilot program called the "Freshman SUCCESS Program" that will focus on retention of high-risk students who are first generation in college, low-income, and/or educationally under-prepared by providing proactive modalities to meet the demand of college. (b) Requires the pilot program to address certain factors that may affect a student's success in college. (c) Requires THECB perform certain tasks in conducting this pilot program study. (d) Requires THECB to complete the pilot program study and report the results of the study to the legislature on or before October 1, 2004. Requires the report to include THECB's recommendations concerning the Freshman SUCCESS Program. (e) Provides that in this section "the board" means THECB. (f) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2005. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.