By: Springer S.B. No. 487
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to authorizing of any Community College District to offer
a baccalaureate degree program in the field of education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter L, Chapter 130, Education Code, is
amended by amending Section 130.303 to read as follows:
Section 130.303 AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN BACCALAUREATE
DEGREE PROGRAMS. (a) The coordinating board shall authorize
baccalaureate degree programs in the fields of applied science,
applied technology, and nursing at each public junior college that
previously participated in a pilot project to offer baccalaureate
degree programs.
(b) The coordinating board may authorize baccalaureate
degree programs at one or more public junior colleges that offer a
degree program in the field of applied science, including a degree
program in the field of applied science with an emphasis in early
childhood education, applied technology, or nursing and have
demonstrated a workforce need.
(c) The coordinating board may authorize a baccalaureate
degree program in the field of general education for the purposes of
graduating licensed teachers at any public junior college.
(d) The limitations prescribed by Section 130.306 and
Section 130.307 do not apply to a baccalaureate degree program in
the field of general education for the purposes of graduating
licensed teachers under this section.
(e) Not later than January 1, 2025, the coordinating board
shall prepare a progress report on the baccalaureate degree program
in the field of general education teacher established under this
section. Not later than January 1, 2027, the coordinating board
shall prepare a report on the effectiveness of the degree program,
including any recommendations for legislative action regarding the
offering of baccalaureate degree programs in the field of education
by a public junior college. The coordinating board shall deliver a
copy of each report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the
speaker of the house of representatives, the chair of the standing
committee of each house of the legislature with primary
jurisdiction over higher education, and the primary author and
primary sponsor of the bill. This subsection expires January 1,
2028.
SECTION 2. 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.