BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 282
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
High school to college transition programs demonstrate the state's commitment to maintaining access and affordability in higher education. These programs provide an opportunity for students to pursue rigorous advanced subjects sometimes available only at the college level and assist school districts in supporting gifted and talented education programs. Students may benefit from accelerating completion of their college degree programs, reducing the cost of their college education, and entering the work force sooner. High schools are a good place to begin recruiting students to participate in college-level courses and programs, but if parents are not informed about these programs then some college-bound students may miss opportunities to get a head start on their education. In order for the State of Texas to increase the number of Texans who attend and succeed in college, it must work with parents, high schools, and higher education institutions in order to increase the rate of participation and success of all Texans going to college.
In current law, each school district is required to implement a program under which a student may earn the equivalent of 12 semester credit hours of college credit in high school. However, school districts are not required to notify parents about these programs.
As proposed, S.B. 282 requires school districts to notify parents, whose children are in high school, about the availability of programs under which a student may earn college credit.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, by adding Section 28.010, as follows:
Sec. 28.010. NOTIFICATION REGARDING COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAMS. Requires a school district to annually notify the parent of each enrolled student in grade nine or above of the availability of certain programs under which a student may earn college credit. Authorizes a school district to provide the required notification on the district's Internet website. Requires the notification to include certain information.
SECTION 2. Makes the application of this Act prospective to the 2007-2008 school year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.