86R13000 KJE-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1787
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to measures to facilitate the transfer, academic progress,
and timely graduation of students in public higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Sections 51.96852 and 51.96853 to read as
follows:
Sec. 51.96852. RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCES. (a) In this
section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned
by Section 61.003.
(b) Each institution of higher education shall develop a
recommended course sequence for each undergraduate certificate or
degree program offered by the institution. Each recommended course
sequence must identify the required courses for the applicable
certificate or degree program in the general core curriculum or the
academic discipline core curriculum as described by Section 61.822.
(c) Each institution of higher education shall include the
recommended course sequences developed under this section in the
institution's course catalog and on the institution's Internet
website.
Sec. 51.96853. TRANSFER OF CREDIT FROM LOWER-DIVISION
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION; ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS. (a) In
this section:
(1) "Articulation agreement" means a formal written
agreement between a lower-division institution of higher education
and a general academic teaching institution identifying courses
offered by the lower-division institution that must be accepted for
credit toward specific course requirements at the general academic
teaching institution.
(2) "General academic teaching institution" has the
meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
(3) "Lower-division institution of higher education"
means a public junior college, public state college, or public
technical institute, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003.
(b) Each general academic teaching institution shall:
(1) identify each lower-division institution of
higher education from which the general academic teaching
institution regularly receives at least 20 percent of its transfer
students; and
(2) establish an articulation agreement with each
lower-division institution of higher education identified under
Subdivision (1) for each certificate or degree program for which at
least five percent of students transferring from the lower-division
institution to the general academic teaching institution receive
transfer credit.
(c) An articulation agreement established under Subsection
(b)(2) must enable a transfer student to receive up to 60 semester
credit hours for courses completed at the lower-division
institution of higher education.
(d) A general academic teaching institution's participation
in an articulation agreement under this section does not affect the
institution's admissions policies.
SECTION 2. Section 61.822, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (a-2) and (b-1) and amending Subsection (b) to
read as follows:
(a-2) The recommended core curriculum developed under
Subsection (a-1) must have the following components:
(1) a general core curriculum of at least 24 semester
credit hours that includes:
(A) six semester credit hours in:
(i) American or Texas history;
(ii) government or political science; and
(iii) communication; and
(B) three semester credit hours in:
(i) language, philosophy, or culture; and
(ii) creative arts; and
(2) for each broad academic discipline, an academic
discipline core curriculum of at least 18 semester credit hours
specific to that discipline and that includes relevant courses in
mathematics and physical sciences.
(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) include a general core curriculum and an academic
discipline core curriculum as described by Subsection (a-2); 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 51.96852 and 51.96853, Education Code,
as added by this Act, and Section 61.822, Education Code, as amended
by this Act, apply beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year.
SECTION 5. Not later than May 31, 2021, the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board shall develop a recommended core
curriculum that conforms to the requirements of Section 61.822,
Education Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.