BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2131
	By: West
	Education
	4/4/2017
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

As a result of a discussion on transferability of credit hours in the Senate Finance Committee, a transferability workgroup was created to study and make recommendations concerning reducing the number of stray course hours through course alignment, increasing the transparency of those choices, and helping students identify courses that will help them earn their preferred degree.

 

A key component to the discussion was the need for adequate and informed counseling by high school students related to postsecondary education.

 

It was identified that students need intensive counseling much earlier, before they begin their programs or courses. In addition, there is a need to align counseling with the endorsements in the high school program to help guide students into pathways in junior college and/or university.

 

The measures required in S.B. 2131 will ensure that students are properly advised before enrolling in lower division courses that may not apply to the degree program at their transfer institution no matter if they are at the junior high, high school, or college levels.

 

Whatever college and career readiness and advisement is required in statute, including but not limited to H.B. 5 endorsements, early college high school, dual credit, or individual graduation plans, information on postsecondary education must be included.

 

S.B. 2131 requires that advising sessions be noted on a student's high school transcript giving the date and time with a description of advisement. Advising by Advise Texas shall also be noted on a student's transcript.

 

All college and high school counselors and advisors would have access to and be advised of related databases.

 

As proposed, S.B. 2131 amends current law relating to requirements for providing postsecondary education counseling to high school students.

 

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 Section 33.007, Education Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c) and (d), as follows:

 

Sec. 33.007. COUNSELING REGARDING POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION. (a) Makes no changes to this subsection.

 

(b) Requires the information about postsecondary education provided by a school counselor to include information accessible through the Database of Required Lower Division Courses for Specific Majors, as well as information regarding the availability of advanced academic programs in the district under which a student is authorized to earn college credit, including advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs; and the availability of dual credit and joint high school and college credit programs, including the types of dual credit offered (core curriculum courses vs. career and technical education courses) and the transferability and application of dual credit offerings to certain colleges and universities. Deletes existing text specifying dual credit programs and joint high school and college credit programs in the list of programs under which a student may earn college credit.

 

(c) Requires schools and districts to post on their website and update annually the information articulated in (b-10) related to dual credit and joint high school and college credit programs.

 

(d) Requires school counselors to note on each student's transcript verification of advising, giving the date and time of advising. Requires counselors to also note whether advising was provided by Advise Texas or some other counseling provider.

 

(e) Redesignates existing Subsection (c) as Subsection (e) and makes no further changes to this subsection.

 

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