86R13000 KJE-D
	By: West	S.B. No. 25

	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.