BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1050
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of work-study programs that involve peer mentoring and tutoring in improving the retention and graduation rates of college students involved in the programs. However, the limited number of job opportunities available has been a barrier to expanding such programs.
As proposed, S.B. 1050 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop a work-study mentorship program under which eligible college students are authorized to mentor and counsel other students. The bill also provides for the funding of the program, authorizes students to serve as mentors in GO Centers and in high schools, and authorizes nonprofit organizations to partner with institutions of higher education to pursue the objectives of the program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 2 of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 56.079, Education Code, as follows:
Sec. 56.079. WORK-STUDY STUDENT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (a) Defines “coordinating board,” “eligible institution,” and “participating entity.” Deletes the existing definition of “general academic teaching institution.”
(b) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), in accordance with this section and THECB rules, to administer a work-study mentorship program under which students (eligible students) enrolled in their junior or senior years at participating eligible institutions who meet the eligibility requirements for employment in the Texas college work-study program (program) under Section 56.075 (Eligible Student) are authorized to be employed by entities participating in the program to mentor and counsel certain students set forth in this subsection.
(c) Requires an eligible institution and one or more school districts or nonprofit organizations interested in jointly participating in the program to file with THECB a joint memorandum of understanding detailing the roles and responsibilities of the participating entities in order to participate in the program.
(d) Requires THECB, in consultation with eligible institutions, school districts, and nonprofit organizations expressing interest in participating in the program, to develop a standard contract establishing the roles and responsibilities of the participating entities as a model for a memorandum of understanding filed under Subsection (c).
(e) Sets forth the required and authorized actions of THECB with regard to funding the program.
(f) Requires THECB to partner with participating nonprofit organizations to establish additional GO Centers or similar high school-based recruiting centers designed to improve student access to higher education. Deletes the authorization for a general academic teaching institution to establish a similar program to the program established under this section to mentor students who are on academic probation at the institution.
(g) Requires THECB to ensure that each student employed under the program receives appropriate training and supervision and is paid at least the minimum wage required by law.
(h) Authorizes THECB to accept gifts, grants, and donations from public or private sources for the purposes of this section.
(i) Redesignated from existing Subsection (c). Makes conforming changes.
(j) Redesignated from existing Subsection (d). Requires each eligible institution participating in the program to submit to THECB a report regarding the progress resulting from the institution’s participation in the program. Sets forth specific content requirements for the report.
(k) Redesignated from existing Subsection (e). Makes conforming changes.
(l) Redesignated from existing Subsection (f). Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 2. Requires THECB to adopt rules relating to the administration of the program under Section 56.079, Education Code, as amended by this Act, as soon as practicable after the Act’s effective date.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.