BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2197

By: Frullo

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that although both dual credit programs and the system of subject-area endorsements within the public high school curriculum are strategies intended to facilitate the transition between high school and postsecondary education, these two approaches are often not well aligned. H.B. 2197 seeks to improve student outcomes by requiring an agreement between a public school district and a public institution of higher education for purposes of a dual credit program to provide for better alignment with endorsement course sequences and better coordination of advising.

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. 2197 amends the Education Code to require an agreement, including a memorandum of understanding or articulation agreement, between a public school district and a public institution of higher education to provide a certain dual credit program to do the following:

· establish common advising strategies and terminology related to dual credit and college readiness;

· provide for the alignment of endorsements offered by the district, and dual credit courses offered under the agreement that apply towards those endorsements, with postsecondary pathways at the institution; and

· identify tools to assist school counselors, students, and families in selecting endorsements offered by the district and dual credit courses offered under the agreement.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.