AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Generally, this bill would require that institutions of higher education accept for credit a score of three or greater on the Advanced Placement test, with exceptions to ensure student preparation. It also requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct a study on success rates regarding the students' performance in subsequent courses.
H.B. 1992 amends current law relating to the granting of undergraduate course credit by advanced placement examination at public institutions of higher education.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 2 (Section 61.0518, Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.968, Education Code, by adding Subsection (c-1), as follows:
(c-1) Prohibits an institution of higher education from requiring a score of more than three unless the institution's chief academic officer determines, based on evidence, that a higher score on the examination is necessary to indicate a student is sufficiently prepared to be successful in a related, more advanced course for which the lower-division course is a prerequisite in establishing the minimum required score on an Advanced Placement examination for granting course credit for a particular lower-division course under Subsection (c) (relating to the requirements of the institution in the policy).
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Section 61.0518, as follows:
Sec. 61.0518. STUDY ON UNDERGRADUATE COURSE CREDIT FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMINATIONS. (a) Defines "Advanced Placement examination."
(b) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), in consultation with institutions of higher education, THECB's Undergraduate Education Advisory Committee, and other interested parties, to conduct a study on the performance of undergraduate students at institutions of higher education who receive undergraduate course credit for achieving required scores on one or more Advanced Placement examinations.
(c) Requires that the study compare the academic performance, retention rates, and graduation rates at institutions of higher education of students who complete a lower-division course at an institution and students who receive credit for that course for a score of three or more on an Advanced Placement examination, disaggregated by score.
(d) Requires each institution of higher education to submit to THECB any data requested by THECB as necessary for THECB to carry out its duties under this section.
(e) Requires THECB to submit to the governor of the State of Texas (governor), the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the standing legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over higher education a progress report that examines the performance of students who previously received undergraduate course credit for a three on one or more Advanced Placement examinations and any recommendations for legislative or administrative action, not later than January 1, 2017.
(f) Requires THECB to submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the standing legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over higher education a report regarding the results of the study in Section 61.0518(c) and any recommendations for legislative or administrative action, not later than January 1, 2019.
(g) Requires THECB to adopt rules as necessary to implement this section in a manner that ensures compliance with federal law regarding confidentiality of student educational information, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g).
(h) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2017.
SECTION 3. Provides that Section 51.968(c-1), Education Code, as added by this Act, applies to entering freshman students at institutions of higher education beginning with the 2016 fall semester.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.