Texas Senate Bill SB2086

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to measures to facilitate the transfer of students and course credit within the public higher education system.

Impact

The implementation of SB2086 is expected to streamline the transfer process, particularly benefiting students who change institutions or majors. By grouping schools into regional consortia, the bill fosters collaboration between institutions to standardize credit transfers, which may encourage students to pursue their education without fear of losing credits. Effective from the 2019-2020 academic year, the bill intends to make transfers more predictable, thereby improving overall student retention and success rates in Texas higher education.

Summary

SB2086 aims to create measures that facilitate the transfer of students and course credit within Texas's public higher education system. The bill emphasizes the establishment of regional consortia among various higher education institutions, allowing easier credit transfer and student mobility across colleges and universities. It mandates that institutions report on their most popular degree programs and develop 'transfer compacts' that outline the acceptance of course credits specific to those programs.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB2086 appears generally positive among educational stakeholders who recognize the potential benefits of increased mobility and flexibility for students within the higher education system. However, there may be underlying concerns regarding the implementation and management of these regional consortia, including how well institutions will collaborate and how effectively the agreements will be communicated to students.

Contention

While there are no overtly significant points of contention noted in the discussions about SB2086, some concerns may arise regarding equity in transfer opportunities, especially between community colleges and larger universities. The bill's success will largely depend on the commitment of institutions to adhere to the established agreements and the transparency of the transfer process to students. The effectiveness of the regional consortia will need to be closely monitored to ensure that the intended benefits reach all students, including those from underserved communities.