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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a postsecondary distance learning feasibility study |
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conducted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 51.981 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.981. POSTSECONDARY DISTANCE LEARNING FEASIBILITY |
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STUDY. (a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall |
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conduct a feasibility study that explores postsecondary distance |
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learning opportunities in accordance with this section. |
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(b) The coordinating board must conduct the feasibility |
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study with respect to at least the Rio Grande Valley region of this |
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state. The study must: |
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(1) explore the possibility of: |
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(A) using technology to connect medical schools |
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with other medical entities in this state; |
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(B) allowing secondary and postsecondary |
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students to experience distance learning opportunities through |
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attendance of appropriate postsecondary courses through live, |
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full-motion videoconferencing; and |
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(C) offering virtual, interactive undergraduate |
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or graduate degree programs to secondary or postsecondary students, |
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as appropriate; and |
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(2) identify possible impediments to postsecondary |
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distance learning opportunities, including program accreditation |
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requirements and the availability of funds for that purpose. |
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(c) The coordinating board shall post the results of the |
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feasibility study on its website. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2016, the Texas |
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Higher Education Coordinating Board shall develop and begin |
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conducting the feasibility study required under Section 51.981, |
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Education Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |