By: King, Mercer, Paxton, Phillips, Hughes, H.B. No. 944
et al.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the admission to public institutions of higher
education of students with nontraditional secondary educations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.9241 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.9241. ADMISSION OF STUDENT WITH NONTRADITIONAL
SECONDARY EDUCATION. (a) In this section:
(1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003.
(2) "Nontraditional secondary education" means a
course of study at the secondary school level in a nonaccredited
private school setting, including private schools in the home.
(b) Because the State of Texas considers successful
completion of a nontraditional secondary education to be equivalent
to graduation from a public high school, an institution of higher
education must 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) An institution of higher education may not require 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:
(1) 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
(2) 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. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and
applies only to undergraduate admissions to an institution of
higher education for a term or semester that begins on or after that
date. Undergraduate admissions for a term or semester that begins
before the effective date are covered by the law in effect
immediately before that date, and the former law is continued in
effect for that purpose.