Texas state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, is preparing for a variety of conversations expected to take place on higher education in Texas.[/caption]As the 85th legislative session approaches, Texas state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, is preparing for a variety of conversations expected to take place on higher education in Texas. In the 84th legislative session in 2015, Bettencourt authored legislation to expand dual credit opportunities for high school students in Harris County and co-authored legislation to fund graduate medical education and create school choice tax credit scholarships. Elected to the Texas Senate in November 2014, Bettencourt was appointed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to serve on Senate finance, higher education and education committees. Additionally, Bettencourt is vice chairman of the committee on intergovernmental relations and was appointed chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Property Tax Reform and Relief.
What are some of the higher education topics you expect to work on in the 85th legislative session?
Giving high school students a choice of what school they attend can better prepare them for college. School choice tax credit scholarships, a proposal Chairman Larry Taylor and I introduced in Senate Bill 4, help defray educational costs so parents can choose the best academic option for their children in either private or public schools.
Two more of the biggest topics the Legislature could address this session are aligning the implementation legislation adopted in 2003 with the 60x30TX higher education plan, and improving teacher preparation and retention.
Additional issues include streamlining the current funding methods for general academic institutions and community colleges; considering performance-based tuition metrics; and addressing concerns about exemptions and waivers, designated tuition set-asides and financial aid.
What issues related to higher education do you personally think are most important?
Providing a consistent funding mechanism for general academic institutions, health-related institutions and community colleges should be a top goal with focus on student success and innovative strategies.
Equally important, we must address the education needs of a rapidly growing and changing workforce by examining dual credit expansion and credit transferability that can help streamline the higher education system and improve its efficiency.
What were some things you accomplished in the 2015 legislative session?
[SB] 1004 gives high school students in Harris County more options to take a dual credit class from a community college in Harris County. This legislation [sparked] 14 percent growth in dual credit enrollment by the spring of 2016.
Given that research shows taking dual credit coursework results in students performing better in high school and in college, the Legislature should consider expanding the dual credit coursework program in more cities and counties around the state.
Do you think that college tuition is too expensive in Texas?
The rapidly growing cost of higher education is a substantial concern. In 2003, state lawmakers approved legislation to allow governing boards of public universities to set different designated tuition rates. Since then, tuition has risen an astonishing 147 percent.
My colleagues and I continue to discuss how Texas tuition and student debt compares to our peer states and how accountability measures can be used to impact tuition. Effectively freezing tuition for a four-year cohort of students is another plausible idea up for consideration. Another option is limiting the rate at which tuition is permitted
to grow under the deregulated model.
How can Texas improve college readiness among high school seniors?
I believe we should start looking at the college-ready population as high school freshmen and help them maximize their opportunities for dual credit courses, advanced placement testing or just plain college preparation with [school district partnerships] with community college[s] or four-year universit[ies].
How do you think the state performs in terms of providing alternatives for students in place of the four-year degree route?
My colleagues and I have been monitoring the implementation of initiatives designed to create effective, clear transfer pathways for students, such as the newly enacted multidisciplinary studies associate degree. I encourage local businesses to develop partnerships with school districts to provide students seeking alternatives with internships, mentorships, higher student incomes and increased business productivity.
How do four-year colleges and universities seem to be handling campus carry laws, which will go into effect in August?
The 84th legislative session saw major gains with respect to our Second Amendment rights. [State] Sen. Van Taylor and I co-authored [SB] 386, which authorizes the governing body of a junior public college to establish a school marshal program to enhance security measures. Under this law, campus marshals are designated faculty members with concealed handgun license permits.
The Texas Legislature also adopted [SB] 11, a landmark law that will allow CHL holders the option to carry on most public colleges and universities in Texas. I believe the implementation of SB 11 will go well.
Many of the higher education institutions that this law applies to have invited faculty and students to join their discussions about rules and policy changes necessary to comply with the new law. My understanding is that nearly all of the higher education institutions around the state have adopted new rules and policies relating to the law, and the new rules are all on track to be implemented in the fall.
I commend our state’s higher education institutions for the proactive steps they have taken to develop rules, policies and implementation strategies to comply with this benchmark state law.
