81R24484 JRJ-D
By: Rose H.B. No. 708
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 708:
By: Rose C.S.H.B. No. 708
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to coordination of postsecondary curricula and to the
publication of transfer guidelines for academic planning to support
academic progress by students enrolled at public institutions of
higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 61.830, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 61.830. PUBLICATION OF TRANSFER GUIDELINES;
[ADDRESSING] TRANSFER PRACTICES. (a) In its course catalogs and
on its website, each institution of higher education shall publish:
(1) guidelines addressing the practices of the
institution regarding the transfer of course credit, under which
courses are identified[. In the guidelines, the institution must
identify a course by] using the common course numbering system
approved by the board; and
(2) in a format designated by the commissioner, all
institutional and statewide articulation agreements concerning the
transfer of courses.
(b) Each institution of higher education shall post on the
institution's website the dates for which each published
articulation agreement is valid and shall remove an expired
articulation agreement from the website not later than the 30th day
after the date of its expiration.
(c) The board shall adopt a standard format for the
publication of articulation agreements under this section. The
format must provide students with access to the requirements of
each articulation agreement to allow students enrolled in public
junior colleges, public state colleges, and public technical
institutes to plan and coordinate course schedules to meet those
requirements.
(d) The board shall provide links to each website described
under Subsection (a) in a prominent, easily accessible, and
identifiable location on the board's college information website.
(e) Not later than September 30 of each even-numbered year,
the commissioner shall make recommendations to each standing
committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher
education to improve:
(1) the publication of transfer policies and
articulation agreements for the benefit of transfer students; and
(2) the level of participation of institutions of
higher education in articulation agreements for the purpose of
facilitating the transfer of students between institutions.
(f) A student who enrolls in a public junior college, public
state college, or public technical institute under an articulation
agreement is entitled to transfer to the general academic teaching
institution that is a party to the agreement not later than the
fourth anniversary of the date the student first enrolled in the
public junior college, public state college, or public technical
institute.
SECTION 2. (a) Each public institution of higher education
must satisfy the requirements of Section 61.830, Education Code, as
amended by this Act, not later than September 30, 2010.
(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
adopt the standard publication format required by Section
61.830(c), Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than
December 31, 2009.
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, 2009.