BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1441

By: Zaffirini

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that it would be useful for policymakers to have more data available to assess the educational outcomes of persons who received a high school equivalency certificate compared to those who received a traditional high school diploma, as well as to compare outcomes for the different types of high school equivalency certificate examinations. S.B. 1441 directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct a study comparing the postsecondary educational outcomes for students who received a traditional high school diploma with those for students who received a high school equivalency certificate, disaggregated by the exam completed to obtain that certificate.

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

S.B. 1441 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct a study comparing postsecondary educational outcomes for students enrolled at public institutions of higher education who received a high school diploma and students enrolled at those institutions who received a high school equivalency certificate, disaggregated by the high school equivalency examination completed. The bill requires the coordinating board, not later than December 1, 2020, to submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives a report on the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2021.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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