82R9657 KSD-D
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1726
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the development of measurable learning outcomes for
  undergraduate courses at public institutions of higher education.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 51.96851 to read as follows:
         Sec. 51.96851.  LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR UNDERGRADUATE
  COURSES. (a)  In this section, "institution of higher education" 
  has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
         (b)  In an effort to foster a transparent student learning
  environment at institutions of higher education and to facilitate
  the universal articulation of undergraduate courses that are
  transferable for credit among all institutions of higher education,
  each institution of higher education shall:
               (1)  identify, adopt, and make available for public
  inspection measurable learning outcomes for each undergraduate
  course offered by the institution; and
               (2)  require each undergraduate student to sign a
  student learning commitment developed by the institution for
  purposes of this section acknowledging that the student is aware of
  and understands the learning outcomes adopted for those courses
  that the student must successfully complete in order to complete
  the student's degree program.
         (c)  In consultation with institutions of higher education,
  the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt any rules
  the coordinating board considers appropriate for the
  administration of this section.
         SECTION 2.  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, 2011.