BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 31

83R603 KEL-F

By: Zaffirini

 

Higher Education

 

3/4/2013

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

As dual credit courses have increased in popularity, courses are offered that rarely transfer, limiting the effectiveness of dual credit as a means for expanding college access and success.  The state should limit formula funding to education that furthers state objectives (e.g., timely graduation) effectively.  Current law allows institutions of higher education to receive formula funding for dual credit coursework, regardless of whether the course is likely to transfer.  The exception to this rule is physical education.

 

This legislation limits formula funding for dual credit courses to courses listed in the core at the providing institution, foreign languages, career and technical education courses that apply to a certificate or associate's degree at the providing institution, or Early College High School courses. 

 

Accordingly, the bill eliminates funding for dual credit courses that are not likely to transfer and seeks to incentivize institutions to provide only those courses that will be transferable to a two- or four-year institution.

 

As proposed, S.B. 31 amends current law relating to formula funding for certain semester credit hours earned for dual course credit.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 61.059, Education Code, by adding Subsections (p) and (q), as follows:

 

(p) Prohibits the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board from including in its instruction and operations formula applicable to an institution of higher education any dual course credit hours earned by a high school student for high school and college credit at an institution unless they are earned through a core curriculum course of the institution providing course credit, a career and technical education course that applies to any certificate or associate's degree offered by the institution providing course credit, or a foreign language course.

 

(q) Provides that Subsection (p) does not apply to a course completed by a student as part of the early college education program established under Section 29.908 (Early College Education Program).

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.