Texas Senate Bill SB22

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

• Filed: 11/10/14

Caption

Relating to outcomes-based funding for general academic teaching institutions.

Impact

The impact of SB22 on state laws includes a significant shift toward prioritizing student success in higher education funding. The bill amends existing statutes in the Education Code to define key terms such as 'at-risk student' and outlines specific metrics for evaluating institutional performance. As institutions are required to report metrics that can be quantitively measured, this bill would lead to a more data-driven approach in the allocation of educational funds. Moreover, it reinforces the commitment of the Texas Legislature to ensure that educational funding is aligned with tangible student achievements.

Summary

SB22 aims to establish an outcomes-based funding model for general academic teaching institutions in Texas. This legislation seeks to allocate state funding based on metrics that reflect student outcomes, such as the number of degrees awarded, graduation rates, and the number of degrees awarded to at-risk students. By tying funding to these performance metrics, the bill aims to incentivize institutions to improve educational outcomes and enhance the overall quality of education in the state.

Contention

While many support outcomes-based funding as a means to promote accountability and high performance among educational institutions, there are concerns regarding its fairness and implementation. Critics argue that this model may inadvertently disadvantage institutions that serve a higher percentage of at-risk students, who may face more barriers to academic success. Additionally, there is a contention that focusing primarily on quantifiable outcomes could overlook other critical factors affecting educational quality and may lead to unintended consequences where institutions prioritize metrics over holistic education concerns.