Texas Senate Bill SB43

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

• Filed: 11/10/14

Caption

Relating to the institutions of higher education eligible to participate in the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (T-STEM) Challenge Scholarship program.

Impact

Upon enacting SB43, the requirements for institutions will be tightened to ensure that they actively contribute to job placement and workforce needs within the STEM fields. Institutions must demonstrate success by showing that at least 70 percent of their T-STEM Challenge Scholarship graduates are either employed in relevant fields or continuing their education in upper-division STEM programs shortly after graduation. This change aims to enhance accountability in the use of scholarship funds and strengthens the link between education and employment in Texas's burgeoning STEM job market.

Summary

SB43 is an act designed to amend the Texas Education Code, specifically focusing on the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (T-STEM) Challenge Scholarship program. The bill stipulates the eligibility requirements for institutions of higher education to participate in this scholarship program, which aims to support students in STEM fields. The revisions involve defining qualified institutions, ensuring that they establish partnerships with businesses to address local employment needs, and stipulating certain performance metrics related to graduate employment within the STEM sector.

Contention

Notable points of contention in the discussions surrounding SB43 may arise from the emphasis on performance metrics and partnerships with industry. Critics may voice concerns about the feasibility of maintaining the proposed standards, particularly for smaller or community-focused institutions that may not have the same resources or industry connections as larger universities. Additionally, there may be debates about the equitable distribution of funding and support across diverse educational institutions, particularly in underserved areas where access to STEM programs may already be limited.