By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1800

(In the Senate - Filed March 11, 2009; March 20, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education; April 20, 2009, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; April 20, 2009, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1800 By: Duncan

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to methods for increasing student success and degree completion at 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 61.077 to read as follows:

Sec. 61.077. ACADEMIC ADVISING ASSESSMENT. (a) The board shall establish a method for assessing the quality and effectiveness of academic advising services available to students at each institution of higher education. In establishing the method of assessment, the board shall consult with representatives from institutions of higher education, including academic advisors and other professionals the board considers appropriate.

(b) The method of assessment established under this section must:

(1) include the use of student surveys; and

(2) identify objective, quantifiable measures for determining the quality and effectiveness of academic advising services at an institution of higher education.

(c) Not later than September 1, 2010, the board shall establish a method of assessment as required by this section. This subsection expires October 1, 2010.

SECTION 2. Subchapter S, Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 61.8221 to read as follows:

Sec. 61.8221. COURSE TRANSFER STUDY. (a) The board shall establish and direct a committee of representatives from public and private two-year and four-year institutions of higher education and degree-granting career schools or colleges to study and make recommendations regarding the transferability of courses in the core curriculum between degree-granting career schools or colleges and public and private institutions of higher education. Not later than January 1, 2011, the board shall report the recommendations to the chair of each standing committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher education.

(b) This section expires September 1, 2011.

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.

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