81R1777 KSD-D

By: Shapleigh S.B. No. 668

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a student mentorship pilot program at certain institutions of higher education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 61.0593 to read as follows:

Sec. 61.0593. STUDENT MENTORSHIP PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The board shall establish a pilot program under which students enrolled in their senior year at a participating general academic teaching institution are paid to mentor incoming freshman students at the institution in an effort to increase the retention and success of those students.

(b) The board shall select not more than five general academic teaching institutions to participate in the pilot program from among institutions that apply to participate in the manner prescribed by board rule.

(c) In consultation with general academic teaching institutions, the board shall adopt rules consistent with this section as necessary to implement this section, including rules establishing:

(1) the manner in which:

(A) an institution may apply to participate in the pilot program; and

(B) institutions and students are selected to participate in the pilot program;

(2) the requirements for participating in the pilot program;

(3) general guidelines for the mentoring to be provided under the pilot program, including guidelines for the methods and content the board considers most critical to ensuring student retention and success; and

(4) criteria to ensure that each student providing mentoring under the pilot program:

(A) receives appropriate training and supervision; and

(B) is paid at least the minimum wage required by law.

(d) The pilot program may be funded by:

(1) legislative appropriations; or

(2) gifts, grants, and donations described by Subsection (e).

(e) The board may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for the purposes of this section.

(f) Not later than December 1, 2010, the board shall submit a report to the legislature on:

(1) the progress of and level of participation in the pilot program; and

(2) the impact of the pilot program on the retention and success of students receiving mentoring under the program.

(g) This section expires September 1, 2011.

SECTION 2. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt the rules required by Section 61.0593, Education Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after this Act takes effect. For that purpose, the coordinating board may adopt the initial rules in the manner provided by law for emergency rules.

SECTION 3. 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, 2009.