BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 1250

                                                                                                                           By: Howard, Charlie

                                                                                                                                Higher Education

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Texas leads the nation in the number of home school families.  In 1994, the Texas Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision from 1987 confirming that home schools in Texas are private schools.  Home education is the tutorial method of education and has been proven successful by numerous studies.

 

The American College Testing Organization, which administers the ACT college entrance exam, has noted that Texas home school graduates as a group scored higher than the state average for several consecutive years.

 

Texas home school graduates have scored perfect 1600 scores on SAT college entrance exams.  These students, however, are not eligible for a scholarship from the TEXAS Grant fund or the B- On-Time Loan program.  Home school graduates must be treated on the same basis as public school graduates for college admission.  HB 944 of the 78th Regular Session requires that state supported colleges and universities treat home school graduates on the same basis as public school graduates for college admission. 

 

Likewise, HB 1250 allows home school graduates and other unaccredited private school graduates to be eligible for public scholarships and loans for higher education.

 

 

 

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:  Section 56.304 (a) of the Education Code is amended and removes language to allow institutions of higher education and state agencies to award scholarships or financial aid through TEXAS grant to graduates of both credited and unaccredited private schools.

 

SECTION 2:  Section 56.455 of the Education Code is amended to add language and remove language allowing students to be eligible for a B-On-time loan if that student graduates from both credited and unaccredited private schools.  Adds the phrase "or its equivalent" relating to the recommended or advanced high school program.

 

SECTION 3:  The change in law applies beginning with student financial aid awarded for the 2008-2009 academic year.  The change in law does not affect student financial aid awarded for an academic period before that date, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

 

SECTION 4:  Effective date.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.