86R6358 JRJ-D
By: Lozano H.B. No. 3819
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the alignment of courses between educational entities
in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter S, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.834 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.834. REGIONAL CONSORTIUM FOR COURSE SEQUENCING.
(a) The board, in coordination with the Texas Education Agency,
shall divide the state into regions for the purpose of establishing
a regional consortium among the institutions of higher education
and school districts located within each region. Each consortium
shall facilitate the development of sequences of courses toward the
25 degree programs at general academic teaching institutions with
the greatest student enrollment in each region, as identified by
the board under Subsection (b), and the alignment of each
endorsement described by Section 28.025(c-1) with degree plans for
those degree programs.
(b) For the purposes of this section, each general academic
teaching institution shall annually identify and report to the
board the 25 degree programs with the greatest student enrollment
at the institution. The board shall compile the information the
board receives from the general academic teaching institutions in
each regional consortium and report to each consortium the 25
degree programs at general academic teaching institutions in that
consortium with the greatest overall student enrollment.
(c) For the purposes of this section, the release of student
information, including course, grade, and credit information,
between the institutions of higher education and the school
districts belonging to a regional consortium established under this
section serves the legitimate educational interest of a student for
whom consent would otherwise be required under the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section
1232g).
(d) The board and the Texas Education Agency shall adopt
rules for the operation of a regional consortium established under
this section.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2020, the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Education Agency
shall establish the regional consortiums required by Section
61.834, Education Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Each regional consortium shall develop the course
sequences and the alignment of endorsement plans required under
Section 61.834, Education Code, as added by this Act, to apply
beginning with course selection for the 2023-2024 academic year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2019.