By: Morrison H.B. No. 3851
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the admission of high school graduates and
  undergraduate transfer students to certain institutions of higher
  education, the computation of a student's high school grade point
  average for purposes of determining eligibility for admission, and
  policies to promote the admission of undergraduate transfer
  students.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 28.0252(b), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  If the commissioner develops a standard method under
  this section, a school district shall 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, [and] the student's grade point average
  computed in accordance with the method established under Section
  51.807 [that manner] shall be used in determining the student's
  eligibility for university [automatic college] admission under
  Subchapter U, Chapter 51 [Section 51.803].
         SECTION 2.  Section 51.807, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 51.807.  RULEMAKING.  (a)  To ensure a uniform standard
  for admissions under this subchapter, the [The] Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board shall adopt rules establishing a
  standard method for computing a student's high school grade point
  average. The method established under this subsection:
               (1)  must:
                     (A)  be based on a four-point scale; and
                     (B)  assign additional weight, as the board
  considers appropriate, for each honors course, advanced placement
  course, international baccalaureate course, or dual credit course
  completed by a student; and
               (2)  may 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 courses completed
  by a student under Subdivision (1)(B).
         (b)  The board may adopt other rules relating to the
  operation of admissions programs under this subchapter, including
  rules relating to the identification of eligible students [and the
  reporting requirements of Section 51.806].
         (c)  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 beginning with admissions for the 2009 fall semester.
  This subsection expires January 1, 2010.
         SECTION 3.  Section 51.4032, Education Code, as added by
  Chapter 694, Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 51.4032.  ANNUAL REPORT OF PARTICIPATION IN HIGHER
  EDUCATION.  Not later than July 31 of each year and in the form
  prescribed by the coordinating board, each general academic
  teaching institution and medical and dental unit as defined in
  Section 61.003 shall provide to the Texas Higher Education
  Coordinating Board a report describing the composition of the
  institution's entering class of students. The report must include
  a demographic breakdown of the class, including a breakdown by
  race, ethnicity, [and] economic status, and high school grade point
  average. A report submitted by a general academic teaching
  institution or medical and dental unit as defined in Section 61.003
  must include separate demographic breakdowns of the students
  admitted under Sections 51.803, 51.804, and 51.805.
         SECTION 4.  Section 51.808, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 51.808.  APPLICATION OF ADMISSION CRITERIA TO OTHER
  PROGRAMS.  (a)  Each general academic teaching institution or
  medical and dental unit that offers admissions to undergraduate
  transfer students or admissions to a graduate, postgraduate, or
  professional program shall [also] adopt a written admission policy
  applicable to those programs.
         (b)  Each general academic teaching institution shall adopt
  a written admission policy to promote the admission of
  undergraduate transfer students to the institution. The policy
  must provide for outreach and recruiting efforts directed at junior
  colleges and other lower-division institutions of higher education
  and may include incentives to encourage transfer applications and
  to retain and promote transfer students.
         (c)  A [The] policy adopted under this section shall be
  published in the institution's or unit's catalog and made available
  to the public.
         SECTION 5.  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
  shall adopt rules as required by Section 51.807, Education Code, as
  amended by this Act, as soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2007.