78R9088 JSA-D

By:  Smith of Tarrant                                             H.B. No. 3239



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating 
Board of procedures and programs for high school students to earn 
appropriate college course credit, admission, and placement in 
institutions of higher education.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 61.0516 to read as follows:
	Sec. 61.0516.  STUDY OF ADVANCED COLLEGE PLACEMENT 
PRACTICES.  (a)  The board shall review and evaluate current 
practices and programs in this state and other states by which high 
school students who complete advanced curriculum requirements, 
advanced placement examinations, or other college preparation 
requirements may be awarded college-level credit, college or 
university admission or admission preference, or appropriate 
placement in an institution of higher education.  In the study, the 
board shall:
		(1)  identify effective practices and programs;                        
		(2)  examine whether current law prohibits or impedes 
the development or use of effective practices and programs in this 
state; and
		(3)  evaluate the potential cost savings or other 
efficiencies or benefits that may be achieved through the use of 
effective practices and programs in this state.
	(b)  The commissioner of education and each institution of 
higher education shall provide the board with the information the 
board reasonably requests to assist the board in conducting the 
study.
	(c)  Not later than November 1, 2004, the board shall prepare 
a report of its study and deliver the report to the governor, the 
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, 
and the chairs of the standing committees and subcommittees of each 
house of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over public 
education or higher education.  In the report, the board shall state 
its findings and recommendations and shall identify opportunities 
for legislative and administrative action.
	(d)  This section expires September 1, 2005.                            
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.