AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recently developed a campaign to increase awareness and build support for new college and career readiness standards, prepare students for all postsecondary education options, and clarify the application process for postsecondary admission and student financial aid. C.S.H.B. 2909 seeks to replace the old name of the campaign with the current name and to clarify language relating to the inclusion of the college and career readiness standards for the purposes of the campaign.
C.S.H.B. 2909 amends current law relating to increasing awareness in this state of the importance of higher education.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends the heading to Section 29.911, Education Code, to read as follows:
Sec. 29.911. GENERATION TEXAS WEEK.
SECTION 2. Amends Sections 29.911(a) and (b), Education Code, as follows:
(a) Requires each school district and each open-enrollment charter school offering any of those grade levels, to educate middle school, junior high school, and high school students about the importance of higher education, to designate one week during the school year as Generation Texas Week, rather than "Education: Go Get It" Week.
(b) Requires that the information provided include certain information, including information regarding standard admission requirements for institutions of higher education, including college readiness standards and expectations as determined under Section 28.008 (Advancement of College Readiness in Curriculum). Makes a nonsubstantive change.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 61.076(c), Education Code, to authorize the co-chairs to appoint six additional members, rather than three additional members, who are education professionals, agency representatives, business representatives, or other members of the community.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 61.9701(b), Education Code, to require, rather than authorize, that the campaign include the provision of certain information, including information on the academic preparation needed to successfully pursue a postsecondary education as determined under Section 28.008 and any other requirements for enrollment at an institution of higher education.
SECTION 5. Amends Section 61.9703, Education Code, as follows:
Sec. 61.9703. New heading: COORDINATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES. Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to coordinate with the Texas Education Agency, the P-16 Council established under Section 61.076 (P-16 Council), and other appropriate entities, including regional P-16 councils and businesses, to implement the public awareness campaign, rather than authorizes THECB to coordinate with other agencies as necessary to develop and implement the public awareness campaign.
SECTION 6. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.