Bill: SB 1091, 85(R) - 2017
Committee
Senate Higher Education
2nd Chamber Committee
House Public Education
Vote Recommendation
Vote Recommendation |
Economic Freedom |
Property Rights |
Personal Responsibility |
Limited Government |
Individual Liberty |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Author(s)
Kel Seliger
Co-Author(s)
Paul Bettencourt
Royce West
Judith Zaffirini
Sponsor(s)
Donna Howard
Bill Caption
Relating to limitations on courses that may be offered for dual credit by school districts and public institutions of higher education.
Fiscal Notes
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
This bill would place limits on what will count toward dual credit in Chapter 28 of the Education code. The courses that can be offered in dual credit must be a part of the core curriculum of the university, a career and technical education course or a foreign language course; unless it is an early college education program established under Chapter 29 of the Education Code which deals with Special Education Programs.
Vote Recommendation Notes
This bill effectively prohibits institutes of higher education from offering dual credit courses that would fall outside the core curriculum, career and technical education, or foreign language classes. These programs are very effective both in helping students complete high school coursework while gaining college level class exposure and from a cost perspective. However we also recognize that in the case where the state is paying for these dual credit courses it is not only within the state's authority but also appropriate for the legislature to ensure public funds are only being used to satisfy state mandated goals. This bill appears to not have a connection to our principles, therefore we remain neutral on SB 1091.