Texas Senate Bill SB1604

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the establishment of a junior college by certain independent school districts.

Impact

If enacted, SB1604 will alter the existing regulations governing the establishment of junior colleges in Texas. By adjusting the financial and demographic thresholds for creating junior colleges, the bill attempts to promote accessibility to higher education in areas with sufficient resources. This change could lead to increased educational opportunities in regions where there currently are no junior college campuses, effectively broadening access to higher education in the state.

Summary

SB1604 aims to amend the Education Code to facilitate the establishment of junior colleges by independent school districts that meet certain criteria. The bill specifies that in order for a territorial unit to form a junior college, it must reach a taxable property valuation of at least $2.5 billion and a total scholastic population of no less than 15,000 students in the preceding year. Alternatively, an independent school district without an existing junior college can establish one if it possesses a taxable property valuation exceeding $5 billion and a total scholastic population greater than 5,000.

Contention

Key points of contention surrounding SB1604 may include concerns over the equity of educational opportunities in less affluent areas that may struggle to meet the proposed property valuation thresholds. Critics of the bill might argue that setting such high financial criteria could sideline potential students in smaller or economically disadvantaged districts that lack the necessary resources to establish their own junior colleges. Advocates for education could emphasize the need for more inclusive measures to ensure that all Texas students, regardless of their districts' economic standing, have access to higher education.