BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 554
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The gap between individuals who participate and succeed in higher education and those who do not will have a major impact on the next generation, as children of college graduates display higher levels of school readiness than children of those who do not graduate from college. Encouraging students to complete their studies at an institution of higher education relatively quickly and providing university presidents with a vested interest in improving the graduation rates of their respective institutions will both aid in the state’s interest in a more-educated populace.
As proposed, S.B. 554 requires the employment contract of a chief executive officer of a public institution of higher education to provide for an annual performance review, and for that review to include a consideration of the changes in the institution’s graduation rates.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.9481, as follows:
Sec. 51.9481. REQUIRED PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF INSTITUTION. Defines "institution of higher education." Requires the employment contract of a president or other chief executive officer of an institution of higher education to provide for an annual evaluation of the executive officer's performance. Requires the evaluation to include a consideration of changes in graduation rates of the institution's students during the evaluation period. Requires the evaluation of a general academic teaching institution other than a public state college to include consideration of four-year and six-year undergraduate graduation rates.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2007.