BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1277
	By: West
	Education
	5/24/2021
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Almost 200,000 Texas high school students enroll in dual credit each year; however, research has shown that dual credit coursework in Texas does not always contribute to positive student outcomes such as postsecondary degree completion, shortened time to degree, or reduced student debt. Strengthened student advising can help to ensure that students have the resources and guidance they need to (1) enroll in courses that are closely aligned with higher education pathways and (2) succeed academically in the dual credit courses in which they are enrolled.

S.B. 1277 requires school districts and public institutions of higher education that offer dual credit programs to designate at least one employee to provide academic advising for each student enrolled in a dual credit course prior to enrollment.

S.B. 1277 amends current law relating to an agreement between a school district and public institution of higher education to provide a dual credit program to high school students enrolled in the district.

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. Reenacts Section 28.009(b-2), Education Code, as amended by Chapters 264 (S.B. 1276) and 901 (H.B. 3650), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, and amends it, as follows:

(b-2) Requires that any agreement, including a memorandum of understanding or articulation agreement, between a school district and public institution of higher education to provide a dual credit program described by Subsection (b-1) (relating to certain goals for dual college credit programs established by the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board) meet certain requirements, including designating at least one employee of the district or institution as responsible for providing academic advising to a student who enrolls in a dual credit course under the program before the student begins the course. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Makes application of Section 28.009(b-2), Education Code, as reenacted and amended by this Act, prospective to September 1, 2021.

SECTION 3. Provides that, to the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails over another Act of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes.

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.