Bill Text: TX HB254 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to a single common course numbering system for public institutions of higher education in this state.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-13 - Referred to Higher Education [HB254 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB254-Introduced.html

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85R1686 KEL-D
By: Hernandez H.B. No. 254

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a single common course numbering system for public
institutions of higher education in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 61.822(b), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) Each institution of higher education shall adopt a core
curriculum of not [no] less than 42 semester credit hours,
including specific courses comprising the curriculum. The core
curriculum shall be consistent with the single common course
numbering system approved by the board under Section 61.832(a) and
with the statement, recommendations, and rules issued by the board.
An institution may have a core curriculum of other than 42 semester
credit hours only if approved by the board.
SECTION 2. Section 61.830, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 61.830. PUBLICATION OF GUIDELINES ADDRESSING TRANSFER
PRACTICES. In its course catalogs and on its website, each
institution of higher education shall publish guidelines
addressing the practices of the institution regarding the transfer
of course credit. In the guidelines, the institution must use
[identify a course by using] the single common course numbering
system as required by Section 61.832 to identify each of its offered
courses for which a common number designation and course
description are included by the board in that system [approved by
the board].
SECTION 3. Section 61.832, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 61.832. COMMON COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM. (a) The board
shall approve a single common course numbering system for
lower-division courses to facilitate the transfer of those courses
among institutions of higher education by promoting consistency in
course designation and identification.
(b) The board shall solicit input from institutions of
higher education regarding the development of the single common
course numbering system.
(c) Each institution of higher education shall:
(1) use the approved common course numbering system in
the institution's guidelines regarding the transfer of course
credit for each course for which a common number designation and
course description are included by the board in that system; and
(2) include the applicable course numbers from the
approved common course numbering system in its course catalogs and
other course listings.
(d) The board may approve only a common course numbering
system already in common use in this state by one or more
institutions of higher education.
(e) [(c)] The board shall cooperate with institutions of
higher education in any additional development or alteration of the
common course numbering system approved under Subsection (a),
including the taxonomy to be used, and in the development of rules
for the administration and applicability of the system.
(f) Each institution of higher education must certify
annually to the board the accuracy of the institution's
identification, in its course catalogs and other course listings,
of each course offered by the institution for which a common number
designation and course description are included by the board in the
common course numbering system. As part of the certification
required by this subsection, the institution shall specify each of
its offered courses for which a common number designation and
course description are included in that system and each of its
offered courses for which a common number designation and course
description are not included in that system. The institution also
shall include with its certification a current, publicly accessible
website address at which the institution publishes its guidelines
regarding the transfer of course credit.
(g) The board may, based on the board's review of the
information certified under Subsection (f), recommend corrective
action to an institution's governing board if the institution fails
to comply with the requirements of this section. In its next
legislative appropriations request made to the legislature, the
board shall identify each institution that fails to comply with the
board's recommended corrective action.
(h) Not later than June 1, 2018, the board shall:
(1) approve a single common course numbering system as
required by Subsection (a); and
(2) establish a timetable that requires institutions
of higher education to phase in the inclusion of the applicable
course numbers from the approved common course numbering system in
their individual guidelines regarding the transfer of course credit
and in their individual course numbering systems as required by
this section so that each institution fully complies with this
section for each course that is offered during the 2022-2023
academic year or a subsequent academic year and for which a common
number designation and course description are included by the board
in that system.
(h-1) Subsection (h) and this subsection expire January 1,
2024.
[(d) An institution of higher education shall include in its
course listings the applicable course numbers from the common
course numbering system approved by the board under this section.
For good cause, the board may grant to an institution of higher
education an exemption from the requirements of this subsection.]
SECTION 4. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
section, the change in law made by this Act applies beginning with
the 2018-2019 academic year.
(b) The change in law made by this Act in adding Sections
61.832(f) and (g), Education Code, applies beginning with the
2022-2023 academic year.
SECTION 5. 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, 2017.