BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2082
	By: Taylor, Larry
	Higher Education
	7/6/2017
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Reaching the 60x30TX goals requires implementing initiatives focused on higher education access and success in all facets of higher education. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recommends expanding the current program's allowable use of funds to go beyond student access to more directly support college success programs. Currently, the funds support mentoring tutoring at participating institutions of higher education, high school GO Centers, or similar high school-based recruiting centers designed to improve student access to higher education. S.B. 2082 broadens statutory language to allow funding to support targeted student support interventions, such as advising and supplemental instruction, to increase student completion and success rates. (Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

S.B. 2082 amends current law relating to the work-study student mentorship program administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

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 Sections 56.079(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (i), Education Code, as follows:

(b) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), in accordance with this section and THECB rules, to administer a work-study student mentorship program under which certain students may be employed by participating entities under the Texas college work-study program to support student interventions at participating eligible institutions that are focused on increasing completion of degrees or certificates, such as interventions occurring through advising or supplemental instruction. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

(c) Requires an eligible institution and one or more school districts or nonprofit organizations interested in jointly participating in the program, to participate in the work-study student mentorship program under Subsection (b)(1) (relating to the mentorship of students at participating eligible institutions or high school students in participating school districts) or (2) (relating to the counseling of high school students at GO Centers or similar high school-based recruiting centers designed to improve student access to higher education), to file with THECB a joint memorandum of understanding detailing the roles and responsibilities of the participating entities.

(d) Requires THECB to develop, when applicable and in consultation with eligible institutions, school districts, and nonprofit organizations that express interest in participating in the work-study student mentorship program, a standard contract establishing the roles and responsibilities of participating entities to be used as a model for a memorandum of understanding entered into by participating entities under Subsection (c).

(e) Requires THECB to establish criteria to ensure that the participating eligible institution's contribution toward the wages and benefits of a student employed under the work-study student mentorship program as provided by Subsection (b)(1) or (2) is matched by certain funds in a certain amount. Deletes existing text specifying a student employed as a mentor.

(f) Authorizes, rather than requires, THECB to partner with participating nonprofit organizations to establish additional GO Centers or similar high school-based recruiting centers designed to improve student access to and success in higher education in this state.

(i) Authorizes an eligible institution participating in the work-study student mentorship program to require students who are on academic probation at the institution to be matched with a student mentor or advisor employed under the program.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.