Texas Senate Bill SB499

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

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

Impact

The implementation of SB499 will affect all general academic teaching institutions in Texas. By requiring the inclusion of average or median grades, the bill seeks to standardize transcripts across institutions, thus aiding in fairer evaluations during college admissions or job applications. This change is expected to encourage students to understand better how they perform relative to their peers, which could influence their future academic choices and effort levels.

Summary

SB499 is legislation aimed at increasing transparency in student transcripts within Texas higher education institutions. The bill mandates that whenever a student is issued a transcript, it must include not only the student's individual grade but also the average or median grade awarded to all students in that class. This change is intended to provide clearer insights into a student's performance in the context of their peers, thereby enhancing the informational value of transcripts for future educational and employment opportunities.

Contention

While the bill is generally viewed positively for its transparency motives, potential concerns have been raised about the implications of publicly revealing average or median grades alongside individual scores. Critics argue that this may result in competition among students and could dissuade them from pursuing certain courses deemed more challenging if grades are perceived as lower than averages. Additionally, handling exceptions, such as classes with fewer than 10 students or those graded pass-fail, may lead to debates about equitable representation of academic performance.

Last_action

The last known action for SB499 was its referral to the Higher Education Committee on February 11, 2015, indicating ongoing legislative considerations and discussion surrounding its implementation.