Texas House Bill HB299

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

• Filed: 11/14/14

Caption

Relating to notification by a public junior college to a school district of certain students referred to developmental coursework.

Impact

The implementation of HB 299 is expected to significantly impact the education landscape in Texas by enhancing communication between junior colleges and school districts. It aims to create a seamless feedback loop that can help identify students who require additional assistance before they enroll in college-level courses. This proactive approach could lead to better educational outcomes for students and reduce the number of students who struggle in their initial years of college due to unaddressed academic deficiencies.

Summary

House Bill 299 mandates that public junior colleges notify school districts regarding students who have received high school diplomas and have been referred to developmental coursework due to deficiencies in their academic readiness. This notification is required to occur biannually, in September and February, ensuring that school districts are informed about students who may need additional support as they transition to higher education. The purpose of this bill is to foster a collaborative approach between junior colleges and school districts to address educational readiness at an early stage.

Contention

While the bill generally has support for its intention to improve student readiness, there could be concerns regarding the resources and systems required to effectively implement this notification process. Some educators might express apprehensions about the potential increase in the administrative burden placed on junior colleges, particularly if the financial or logistical resources to manage this new requirement are limited. Additionally, there may be debates regarding the definition of 'developmental coursework' and the criteria used for referral, as these could vary significantly between institutions.