AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Section 4.85 of the Texas Administrative Code specifies that a high school student may not be enrolled in more than two dual credit courses per semester.  Studies show that students enrolled in dual credit courses are more likely to complete high school and enroll in college.

 

State law allows both school districts and colleges to obtain state funding for dual credit courses, allowing a student to take more higher education courses at a reduced cost.

 

This bill amends Section 28.009(b) of the Education Code to prohibit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board from adopting any rule that would limit the number of dual credit courses or hours in a which a student may enroll while in high school or in a given semester or academic year.

 

H.B. 505 amends current law relating to a prohibition of limitations on the number of dual credit courses or hours in which a public high school student may enroll.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the commissioner of education is modified in SECTION 1 (Section 28.009, Education Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 28.009(b), Education Code, as follows:

 

(b)  Prohibits a rule adopted by the commissioner of education or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board concerning the provisions under this section from limiting:

 

(1)  the number of dual credit courses or hours in which a student may enroll while in high school;

 

(2)  the number of dual credit courses or hours in which a student may enroll each semester or academic year; or

 

(3)  the grade levels at which a high school student may be eligible to enroll in a dual credit course.

 

SECTION 2.  Repealer: Section 130.008(f) (prohibiting a student from enrolling in more than three courses under this section at a junior college under certain circumstances), Education Code.

 

SECTION 3.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.

 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.