By: Guillen H.B. No. 2448
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to creating a framework for including certain credentials
of value offered by general academic teaching institutions as part
of a baccalaureate degree program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 61.003. DEFINITIONS.
(17) "Credential of value" means an industry
recognized work-based learning credential in a high growth, high
demand industry.
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.05124 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.05124. ENCOURAGEMENT FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN
GENERAL ACADEMIC UNIVERSITIES, PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES,
RECOGNIZED ACCREDITING AGENCIES, AND PUBLIC TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS
THAT OFFER CREDENTIALS OF VALUE. a) The board shall encourage:
1) Credentials of value as part of a general academic
university degree plan.
2) Memorandums of understanding between general
academic universities and, public technical institutions that
offer credentials of value.
3) Transferability of credits, particularly of course
yielding credentials of value.
4) Development of multi-institutional degree plans.
5) Creation of a frictionless financial aid process
that would allow for grants, scholarships, and all other forms of
financial aid to be applicable to the earning of credentials of
value.
b) the board shall award the designation of a Successful
Outcomes distinction for general academic universities that have at
least 8% of the graduating class of each academic year graduate with
at least one credential of value.
SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.05125 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.05125. CREATION AND OBLIGATIONS OF A
MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL TASKFORCE. a) The Board shall create a
taskforce consisting of at least one representative from A K-12
school district, a recognized accrediting entity, one
representative from a general academic university, one
representative from the Texas Workforce Commission, one
representative from a public community college, and one
representative from a public technical college.
b) The taskforce shall work together to develop a framework
for:
1) Integrated multi institutional degree plans which
are fully accredited.
2) The initiation of said degree plans at the k-12
level.
3) Each student earning at least 2 credentials of
value in their four year degree plan.
4) Graduation with at least 2 credentials of value and
a four year degree in four years or less after high school
graduation.
SECTION 4. 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, 2023.