86R6358 JRJ-D
 
  By: Lozano H.B. No. 3819
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the alignment of courses between educational entities
  in this state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter S, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 61.834 to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.834.  REGIONAL CONSORTIUM FOR COURSE SEQUENCING.
  (a) The board, in coordination with the Texas Education Agency,
  shall divide the state into regions for the purpose of establishing
  a regional consortium among the institutions of higher education
  and school districts located within each region.  Each consortium
  shall facilitate the development of sequences of courses toward the
  25 degree programs at general academic teaching institutions with
  the greatest student enrollment in each region, as identified by
  the board under Subsection (b), and the alignment of each
  endorsement described by Section 28.025(c-1) with degree plans for
  those degree programs.
         (b)  For the purposes of this section, each general academic
  teaching institution shall annually identify and report to the
  board the 25 degree programs with the greatest student enrollment
  at the institution. The board shall compile the information the
  board receives from the general academic teaching institutions in
  each regional consortium and report to each consortium the 25
  degree programs at general academic teaching institutions in that
  consortium with the greatest overall student enrollment.
         (c)  For the purposes of this section, the release of student
  information, including course, grade, and credit information,
  between the institutions of higher education and the school
  districts belonging to a regional consortium established under this
  section serves the legitimate educational interest of a student for
  whom consent would otherwise be required under the Family
  Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section
  1232g).
         (d)  The board and the Texas Education Agency shall adopt
  rules for the operation of a regional consortium established under
  this section.
         SECTION 2.  (a) Not later than January 1, 2020, the Texas
  Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Education Agency
  shall establish the regional consortiums required by Section
  61.834, Education Code, as added by this Act.
         (b)  Each regional consortium shall develop the course
  sequences and the alignment of endorsement plans required under
  Section 61.834, Education Code, as added by this Act, to apply
  beginning with course selection for the 2023-2024 academic year.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2019.