BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

S.B. 36

By: Zaffirini

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

The purpose of this bill is to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, institutions of higher education, and relevant professionals to develop an instrument to assess student academic advising by September 1, 2011.

 

Currently, there is no formal assessment system for academic advisors.  Without a state system for academic advisement assessment, the state is allowing a very important predictor of undergraduate success to potentially go underutilized.  Because there is some anecdotal evidence regarding poor advising and no uniform way to measure effective advising, it is important to develop an objective system that can fairly assess and evaluate academic advising.  This legislation would provide a first step toward developing such a system.

 

As proposed, S.B. 36 amends current law relating to methods for increasing student success and degree completion at public institutions of higher education.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Section 61.077, as follows:

 

Sec. 61.077. ACADEMIC ADVISING ASSESSMENT. (a)  Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to establish a method for assessing the quality and effectiveness of academic advising services available to students at each institution of higher education.  Requires THECB, in establishing the method of assessment,  to consult with representatives from institutions of higher education, including academic advisors and other professionals THECB considers appropriate.

 

(b) Requires that the method of assessment established under this section include the use of student surveys and identify objective, quantifiable measures for determining the quality and effectiveness of academic advising services at an institution of higher education.

 

(c) Requires THECB to establish a method of assessment as required by this section not later than September 1, 2012.  Provides that this subsection expires on October 1, 2012.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2011.