86R6769 KJE-D
 
  By: White H.B. No. 1759
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the core curriculum at public institutions of higher
  education.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 61.821(1), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
               (1)  "Core curriculum" means the basic curriculum in
  liberal arts, humanities, and sciences and political, social, and
  cultural history that all undergraduate students of an institution
  of higher education are expected to know and are required to
  complete before receiving an academic undergraduate degree.
         SECTION 2.  Section 61.822, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as
  follows:
         (b)  Each institution of higher education shall adopt a core
  curriculum of no less than 42 semester credit hours, including
  specific courses comprising the curriculum. The core curriculum
  shall:
               (1)  consist only of courses that:
                     (A)  are listed in:
                           (i)  the common course numbering system
  approved by the board; and
                           (ii)  the board's manual of general academic
  transfer courses that may be offered for state funding by public
  junior colleges, public state colleges, and public technical
  institutes; or
                     (B)  are the equivalent of courses described by
  Paragraph (A), as determined by the board; and
               (2)  be consistent with [the common course numbering
  system approved by the board and with] the statement,
  recommendations, and rules issued by the board.
         (b-1)  An institution may have a core curriculum of other
  than 42 semester credit hours only if approved by the board.
         SECTION 3.  Section 130.0104(b), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  A multidisciplinary studies associate degree program
  established at a junior college under this section must require a
  student to successfully complete:
               (1)  the junior college's core curriculum adopted under
  Section 61.822 [61.822(b)]; and
               (2)  after completion of the core curriculum under
  Subdivision (1), the courses selected by the student in the
  student's degree plan completed under Subsection (c).
         SECTION 4.  Sections 61.821 and 61.822, Education Code, as
  amended by this Act, apply beginning with the 2020-2021 academic
  year.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.