The bill, S.B. No. 1716, aims to enhance the enrollment of students with nontraditional secondary education backgrounds in public institutions of higher education in Texas. It amends Section 51.9241 of the Education Code to require institutions to assign a class rank to applicants who have completed nontraditional secondary education, using a method that involves calculating median scores on college entrance examinations. Additionally, institutions must post this median score information on their websites for transparency. The bill also introduces new provisions regarding financial assistance eligibility, ensuring that students who have completed nontraditional education are recognized and can access financial aid programs.

Further amendments to the Education Code include updates to the eligibility criteria for the TEXAS grant and scholarship programs, allowing graduates of nontraditional secondary education to qualify under the same conditions as traditional high school graduates. The bill mandates that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board disseminate information about financial assistance to high schools and recommends methods for effective communication with students and parents. The changes will take effect for admissions and financial assistance awarded starting in the fall semester of 2026, with provisions for the continuation of existing laws for prior terms.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 51.9241, Education Code 56.013, Education Code 56.304, Education Code 56.3041, Education Code 56.308, Education Code 56.484 (Education Code 56, Education Code 51)