BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 3851
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
H.B. 3851 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to adopt rules establishing a standard method for computing a student’s high school grade point average in a certain manner. The bill also requires the annual report each general academic teaching institution (institution) is required to submit to THECB to include the high school grade point average in the demographic breakdown describing the composition of the institution’s entering class of students. H.B. 3851 also requires each institution to adopt a written policy to promote the admission of undergraduate transfer students to the institution.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 (Section 51.807, Education Code) of this bill.
Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is modified in SECTION 1 (Section 51.807, Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 28.0252(b), Education Code, to require a school district (district), if the commissioner of education (commissioner) develops a standard method under this section, to 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 (Rulemaking), the student's grade point average computed in accordance with the method established under Section 51.807 is required to be used in determining the student's eligibility for university admission under Subchapter U (Uniform Admissions Policy), Chapter 51, rather than automatic college admission under Section 51.803 (Automatic Admission: All Institutions).
SECTION 2. Amends Section 51.807, Education Code, as follows:
Sec. 51.807. RULEMAKING. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text. Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to adopt rules establishing a standard method for computing a student's high school grade point average in order to ensure a uniform standard for admissions under this subchapter. Requires the method established under this subsection to be based on a four-point scale and assign additional weight, as THECB considers appropriate, for each honors, advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or dual credit course completed by a student. Authorizes that method to 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 of those courses completed by a student.
(b) Authorizes THECB to adopt other rules relating to the operation of admissions programs under this subchapter, including rules relating to the identification of eligible students. Deletes existing text authorizing THECB to adopt other rules relating to the reporting requirements of Section 51.806.
(c) Provides that the standard method established under Subsection (a) for computing a student's high school grade point average applies to computing the grade point average of a student applying as a first-time freshman for admission to a general academic teaching institution (institution) beginning with admissions for the 2009 fall semester. Provides that this subsection expires January 1, 2010.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 51.4032, Education Code, as added by Chapter 694, Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, to require the report required to be filed with THECB describing the composition of an institution’s entering class of students to include a demographic breakdown of the class, including a breakdown by high school grade point average.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 51.808, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 51.808. APPLICATION OF ADMISSION CRITERIA TO OTHER PROGRAMS. (a) Makes a nonsubstantive change.
(b) Requires each institution to adopt a written admission policy to promote the admission of undergraduate transfer students to the institution. Requires the policy to provide for outreach and recruiting efforts directed at junior colleges and other lower-division institutions of higher education and authorizes the policy to include incentives to encourage transfer applications and to retain and promote transfer students.
(c) Creates this section from existing text of Subsection (b). Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 5. Requires THECB to adopt rules as required by Section 51.807, Education Code, as amended by this Act, as soon as practicable after its effective date.
SECTION 6. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.