By:  Ogden                                                        S.B. No. 503


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the provision of certain higher education information 
to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and to the public.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 51.968 to read as follows:
	Sec. 51.968.  DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION REGARDING 
STUDENT ENROLLMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS.  (a)  In this 
section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned 
by Section 61.003.
	(b)  Each institution of higher education shall provide to 
the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and post on the 
institution's Internet website in a manner accessible to the public 
the following information:
		(1)  a description of any departments, schools, or 
certificate or degree programs of the institution that have a 
statewide or national reputation for excellence;
		(2)  rates of tuition and fees for resident and 
nonresident students;
		(3)  student retention and graduation rates; and                       
		(4)  statistics regarding job placement rates for 
students awarded certificates or degrees by the institution.
	(c)  The coordinating board by rule shall establish 
standards and adopt formats for the information provided and posted 
under Subsection (b).
	(d)  As soon as practicable after a material change in the 
information required under Subsection (b), the institution of 
higher education shall provide to the coordinating board and post 
on the website the updated information.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  Section 1 of this Act applies beginning 
with the 2004 spring semester.
	(b)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall 
adopt rules regarding standards and formats for the information 
described by Subsection (b), Section 51.968, Education Code, as 
added by this Act, as soon as practicable after this Act takes 
effect.
	SECTION 3.  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.