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.