BILL ANALYSIS
By: Morrison
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The need for a standardized high school GPA often arises in regard to admissions, financial eligibility and other student matters. The grade point scales used in Texas high schools can vary from 3.0 to 12.0 - there is no standardization.
This bill is based on an approach used by other states wherein the high school grade point is calculated by the institutions of higher education as a part of the admissions process.
This bill calls for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish a method for computing a high school grade point average on a 4.0 scale. The requirement would be effective for admissions in Fall 2009.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 2 of this bill.
ANALYSIS
Note: Unless otherwise specified, statutory references in this BILL ANALYSIS are to the Education Code.
This bill amends Section 28.0252(b), Education Code to provide that, if the Commissioner of Education develops a standard method under this section (§ 28.0252. COMPUTATION OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADE POINT AVERAGE), a school district shall use the standard method to compute a student's high school grade point average, except that to the extent of a conflict between that method and the method adopted under Section 51.807, the student's grade point average computed in accordance with the method established under Section 51.807 shall be used in determining the student's eligibility for university admission under Subchapter U, Chapter 51.
The bill amends Section 51.807, Education Code, to provide that to ensure a uniform standard for admissions under this subchapter (SUBCHAPTER U. UNIFORM ADMISSION POLICY), the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) shall adopt rules establishing a standard method for computing a student's high school grade point average. Such method must be based on a four-point scale, and assign additional weight, as the board considers appropriate, for each honors course, advanced placement course, international baccalaureate course, or dual credit course completed by a student, and may result in a student having a grade point average higher than 4.0 on a four-point scale as a result of the assignment of additional weight for one or more honors course, advanced placement course, international baccalaureate course, or dual credit course completed by a student. The board may adopt other rules relating to the operation of admissions programs under this subchapter, including rules relating to the identification of eligible students. The standard method established under the provisions of this bill for computing a student's high school grade point average applies only to computing the grade point average of a student applying as a first-time freshman for admission to a general academic teaching institution beginning with the 2009 fall semester.
The bill requires the board to adopt rules as required by the provisions of this bill as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.