Texas House Bill HB2423

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to a study and report by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on the feasibility of providing off-campus employment positions through the Texas college work-study program.

Impact

The potential impact of HB2423 on state laws involves enhancing the operations of the Texas college work-study program by incorporating off-campus employment opportunities. This could lead to legislative recommendations that modify existing policies to facilitate these partnerships. By addressing existing barriers and creating viable partnerships between educational institutions and employers, the implementation of this bill could significantly influence how higher education institutions prepare students for the job market, promoting a workforce that is better aligned with industry needs.

Summary

House Bill 2423 mandates the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct a study on the feasibility of providing off-campus employment positions through the Texas college work-study program. This bill emphasizes the importance of providing students with practical work experience while they are enrolled in educational institutions, aiming to facilitate connections between students and the workforce in relevant fields. The study is expected to identify best practices for partnering with employers, industries suitable for these positions, barriers colleges face in forming partnerships, and potential junior colleges that could participate in a pilot program.

Contention

While the bill primarily seeks to enhance opportunities for students, it may also raise discussions surrounding the effectiveness of existing education-to-employment pathways. There may be concerns about the actual feasibility of expanding work-study positions, especially in terms of resources available at public junior colleges to implement the required changes. Stakeholders might debate the costs associated with this program expansion and its sustainability in the coming years, particularly if the results of the feasibility study recommend significant adjustments to current systems.