By:  Zaffirini                                                    S.B. No. 26 


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a pilot program for retention of 
students in higher education.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 51.9356 to read as follows:
	Sec. 51.9356.  PILOT PROGRAM REGARDING THE RETENTION OF 
STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION.  (a)  The Texas Higher Education 
Coordinating Board shall 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 underprepared by providing proactive 
intervention modalities to meet the demands of college.
	(b)  The pilot program shall address the students' academic, 
emotional, behavioral, and financial needs as well as cultural 
barriers that may affect their success in college.
	(c)  In conducting this pilot program study, the board shall:           
		(1)  identify and evaluate the potential benefits and 
advantages of this type of program;
		(2)  evaluate and make recommendations concerning any 
legal, administrative, or practical problems with this type of 
program; and
		(3)  indicate the impact on the goals for the Texas 
Higher Education Coordinating Board's Closing the Gaps strategy.
	(d)  The board shall complete the pilot program study and 
report the results of the study to the Legislature on or before 
December 1, 2004.  The report must include the board's 
recommendations concerning the Freshman SUCCESS Program.
	(e)  In this section, "board" means the Texas Higher 
Education Coordinating Board.
	(f)  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.