TITLE: Relating to creating a pilot project to reduce the need for developmental education required for certain students entering higher education.

SUMMARY: Relating to creating a pilot project to reduce the need for developmental education required for certain students entering higher education.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to creating a pilot project to reduce the need for developmental education required for certain students entering higher education. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter M, Chapter 39, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 39.417 to read as follows: Sec. 39.417. COLLEGE READINESS PILOT PROJECT. (a) Not later than January 1, 2012, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall establish a pilot project to provide funding and support to institutions of higher education to develop programs for early intervention to prepare high school students for academic skills assessments used to determine a student's readiness to enroll in freshman-level academic course work at an institution of higher education. (b) An institution of higher education shall apply to the coordinating board to participate in the pilot project. The coordinating board shall select not more than three institutions of higher education to participate based on: (1) the merit of the institution's proposed program; (2) the number of students to be served by the program; (3) the remediation or developmental needs of the community served by the program; and (4) other criteria as determined by the coordinating board. (c) The pilot project may be funded by appropriations, by gifts, grants, and donations, and by any other funds the coordinating board obtains, including federal funds, for the pilot project. (d) Not later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year, the coordinating board shall report to the governor and to the chair of each standing committee of each house of the legislature with jurisdiction over education regarding: (1) the effectiveness of programs funded under the pilot project established by this section in minimizing the need for developmental education; and (2) recommendations regarding implementing similar programs at other institutions of higher education. (e) This section expires January 1, 2017. 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.