86R6769 KJE-D
By: White H.B. No. 1759
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the core curriculum at public institutions of higher
education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 61.821(1), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(1) "Core curriculum" means the basic curriculum in
liberal arts, humanities, and sciences and political, social, and
cultural history that all undergraduate students of an institution
of higher education are expected to know and are required to
complete before receiving an academic undergraduate degree.
SECTION 2. Section 61.822, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as
follows:
(b) Each institution of higher education shall adopt a core
curriculum of no less than 42 semester credit hours, including
specific courses comprising the curriculum. The core curriculum
shall:
(1) consist only of courses that:
(A) are listed in:
(i) the common course numbering system
approved by the board; and
(ii) the board's manual of general academic
transfer courses that may be offered for state funding by public
junior colleges, public state colleges, and public technical
institutes; or
(B) are the equivalent of courses described by
Paragraph (A), as determined by the board; and
(2) be consistent with [the common course numbering
system approved by the board and with] the statement,
recommendations, and rules issued by the board.
(b-1) An institution may have a core curriculum of other
than 42 semester credit hours only if approved by the board.
SECTION 3. Section 130.0104(b), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) A multidisciplinary studies associate degree program
established at a junior college under this section must require a
student to successfully complete:
(1) the junior college's core curriculum adopted under
Section 61.822 [61.822(b)]; and
(2) after completion of the core curriculum under
Subdivision (1), the courses selected by the student in the
student's degree plan completed under Subsection (c).
SECTION 4. Sections 61.821 and 61.822, Education Code, as
amended by this Act, apply beginning with the 2020-2021 academic
year.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.