Texas House Bill HB3498

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to a requirement that a student's postsecondary transcript include the average or median grade awarded in each class.

Impact

This measure is expected to have a significant impact on student assessment practices and the overall academic culture within Texas colleges and universities. By standardizing the reporting of average or median grades, HB3498 aims to assist students in presenting their academic achievements in a more comprehensive way, potentially aiding them in job applications and further studies. It also seeks to hold educational institutions more accountable for the grading practices they employ.

Summary

House Bill 3498 focuses on increasing transparency in student transcripts at general academic teaching institutions within Texas. The bill mandates that these institutions must include the average or median grade awarded in each class alongside the student's individual grade on their transcript. This requirement is intended to provide prospective employers and other educational institutions with a clearer understanding of a student's performance relative to their peers in each specific class.

Contention

While the intention behind this bill is to promote transparency, there are potential points of contention regarding how the average or median grades are to be calculated and reported. Concerns could arise around the handling of grades in small class sizes or in courses where grading is solely on a pass-fail basis, as these cases are explicitly excluded from the requirements outlined in the bill. This exclusion may raise questions about fairness and equity, particularly in programs where small class sizes are the norm.

Additional_notes

HB3498 aims for implementation starting in the fall semester of 2013 and anticipates the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop the necessary rules for enforcement. The bill will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in both legislative houses, otherwise, it will become effective on September 1, 2013.