BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2155

By: Howard

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that any dual credit earned in high school that does not transfer to public institutions of higher education results in wasted tuition and taxpayer dollars, lower graduation rates, and reduced workforce readiness. H.B. 2155 seeks to address this issue by providing for a college readiness memorandum of understanding between a school district and a public institution of higher education.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2155 amends the Education Code to require each public school district to enter into a memorandum of understanding with at least one public institution of higher education to coordinate efforts in ensuring students are prepared for postsecondary education opportunities. The bill requires the memorandum to provide for joint professional development opportunities for school counselors and academic advisors to promote collaboration and support the creation of common practices and terminology relating to college readiness; to identify the pathways between the endorsements that are available to students in the district and degree programs and fields of study relating to those endorsements that are available at the institution; to develop tools based on the pathways for school counselors and academic advisors to assist students in selecting a suitable program of study; and to identify opportunities to increase the cost efficiency and coordination of related programs in areas that include technology, facilities and equipment, dual credit course staffing and certification, and transportation. The bill's provisions apply beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.