BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1904

80R10960 KSD-D                                                                                                  By: Van de Putte

S/C on Higher Education

4/21/2007

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, data is collected by the Texas Education Agency regarding student performance and accountability and separate data is collected by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regarding retention and graduation rates.  However, there is no system in place to bring this data together to document the transition from high school to college and to provide a mechanism for study of such information. Such study would provide educators with information to identify gaps in curriculum and develop successful learning methodologies to assist the transition from high school to college and/or workforce success.  A pilot program for this study would establish a model that could be expanded statewide to identify learning methodologies that prove successful in ensuring greater college student success and higher college graduation rates in this state, thus moving this state closer to the goals established in "Closing the Gaps" and creating a better prepared, higher quality workforce.

As proposed, S.B. 1904 establishes a pilot program at Alamo Community College to follow students from high school graduation through completion of an associate's degree or certificate at the college. 

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 A, Chapter 130, Education Code, by adding Section 130.0105, as follows:

Sec. 130.0105.  ESTABLISHMENT OF STUDENT OUTCOMES PILOT PROGRAM AT ALAMO COMMUNITY COLLEGE.  (a)  Requires Alamo Community College to establish a pilot program to collect and analyze statistical data regarding student outcomes at the college in order to facilitate accountability at the college by determining the efficacy of instruction at the college and examining the transition of students to four-year institutions of higher education and to further ongoing education excellence initiatives at the college.

(b) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2017.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.