88(3) HB 48 - Introduced version - Bill Text

	88S30072 CXP-D
	By:  Gervin-Hawkins	H.B.  No.  48

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 61.822, Education Code 61.826, Education Code 61.830, Education Code 61.832 (Education Code 61)

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to a single common course numbering system for and the
	transfer of course credit among public institutions of higher
	education in this state.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION  1.    Section 61.822, Education Code, is amended by
	amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (f) to read
	as follows:
	(a)    The board shall develop and implement a policy regarding
	[encourage] the transferability of [lower division] course credit
	among institutions of higher education.
	(b)    Each institution of higher education shall adopt a core
	curriculum of not [no] less than 42 semester credit hours,
	including specific courses composing [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. The
	board by rule may approve a core curriculum of less [fewer] than 42
	semester credit hours for an associate degree program if the board
	determines that the approval would facilitate the award of a degree
	or transfer of credit consistent with this subchapter.
	(f)    If a student successfully completes a course at an
	institution of higher education for which a common number
	designation and course description are included in the single
	common course numbering system described by Section 61.832, that
	course may be transferred to any other institution of higher
	education that offers a course with the same common course number
	and must be substituted for the receiving institution's course.
	SECTION  2.    Section 61.826(a), Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(a)    The board by rule shall adopt procedures to be followed
	by:
	(1)    institutions of higher education in resolving
	disputes concerning the transfer of [lower division] course credit;
	and
	(2)    the commissioner of higher education or the
	commissioner's designee in making a final determination concerning
	transfer of the course credit if the transfer is in dispute.
	SECTION  3.    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  4.    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.
	(a-1)    The following types of courses are exempt from the
	single common course numbering system approved under Subsection
	(a):
	(1)    courses in career and technical education, except
	as provided by Section 61.8235;
	(2)    courses in applied performing arts;
	(3)    clinical coursework in health-related subject
	areas;
	(4)    skill-related courses in criminal justice-related
	subject areas;
	(5)    graduate courses; and