BILL ANALYSIS
By: Hardcastle
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, Young County is in the service area of Ranger Junior College (Ranger). Ranger offers courses toward an associate’s degree via distance learning, the internet, and some direct instruction courses. They have also offered dual credit courses facilitated by the local school district. However, Ranger has indicated they are no longer interested in providing such courses. Ranger, in collaboration with TSTC Breckenridge, has also offered a building trades program for a small number of students. Finally, Ranger has offered a locally subsidized LVN program. However, the Ranger Board of Regents recently voted to discontinue offering this program in Young County.
Many residents in Young County have expressed a desire to expand the educational opportunities for their high school students and to offer courses for associate degrees. A collaboration of business, education, and economic development leaders is working to establish the Graham Education and Workforce Center. The group has secured a building and the resources necessary to provide a wide range of educational opportunities, workforce development services, and economic development activities for the citizens in this part of the state. This program will become a model for rural Texas communities throughout the state.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Removes Young County from the service area of Ranger Junior College.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies beginning with the 2005 fall semester, except that during the 2005-2006 academic year the Ranger Junior College District may continue to treat the area removed by this Act from the district's service area as if the area were still in the district's service area as necessary to avoid an unreasonable interruption of junior college services in the area.
SECTION 3. Effective date.
EFFECTIVE DATE
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, 2005.