Texas House Bill HB203

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Filed: 11/12/08

Caption

Relating to notice to certain public school high school seniors and their parents or guardians of automatic college admission.

Impact

If enacted, HB203 will modify existing laws under the Texas Education Code to enhance awareness and understanding of college admissions among high school seniors. By providing clear guidelines for notification, the bill is expected to ensure that more students are aware of their eligibility for automatic college admission. This could lead to increased college enrollment rates among high school graduates, particularly benefiting students who may otherwise lack access to such information.

Summary

House Bill 203 aims to improve communication between public high schools and their students regarding automatic college admission eligibility. The bill mandates that school districts provide clear and accessible information about college admissions to eligible high school seniors and their parents or guardians. This includes posting appropriate signage in counselor and principal offices and ensuring that counselors explain the process to students. Furthermore, the bill requires that eligible students receive documented notifications about their admission status in plain language, along with a form for acknowledgment of receipt.

Contention

While the bill generally receives support for its aim of increasing college access, there may be concerns regarding the implementation and responsibility placed on school districts. Questions may arise about how districts will address the cost of compliance, especially in terms of the administrative workload for counselors. Additionally, ensuring that all eligible students receive timely and adequate notifications may prove challenging, potentially leading to disparities in how well the bill is executed across different school districts.