Texas House Bill HB1179

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

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

Impact

If enacted, the bill would amend the Education Code by adding provisions that require the inclusion of average and median grades on student transcripts. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is tasked with implementing this requirement through the establishment of rules and guidelines. The changes would apply starting from the fall semester of 2017, signaling a significant shift in how academic performance is reported. Such transparency could aid in standardizing assessments of student qualifications across various colleges and universities.

Summary

House Bill 1179 aims to enhance the transparency of student transcripts at general academic teaching institutions in Texas. The bill mandates that each student's postsecondary transcript include the average grade or median grade awarded in each class they attempted. This provision is intended to provide prospective employers and educational institutions with clearer insights into a student's performance relative to their peers, fostering a more informed assessment of academic achievements.

Contention

While the introduction of this bill shows potential to enhance academic transparency, it may also raise concerns regarding its implementation. For instance, opponents might contend that adding average or median grades could unfairly impact students in courses with significant grade disparities or transformative learning experiences. Additionally, there might be arguments regarding privacy and the appropriateness of making comparative data available, especially concerning smaller class sizes where revealing such information could identify individual students.