By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-827926.mp3
Dallas, TX – Higher education legislation sponsored by two North Texans is beginning to pick up momentum in the state legislature. KERA's Shelley Kofler reports.
Tuesday the Senate passed Plano Senator Florence Shapiro's bill that scales back the number of top ranked high school students universities must accept. Yesterday a House committee followed, sending similar legislation by Dallas Representative Dan Branch to the full House.
Right now high school seniors graduating in the top 10 percent of their class are guaranteed admission to the state college or university of their choice. The state's biggest university, UT-Austin, has complained saying almost all of its freshman are now admitted under the rule and the university has little flexibility in selecting other talented students. Shapiro's bill would allow universities to consider other admissions criteria after 60 percent of freshmen are enrolled.
Dallas Representative Dan Branch allows discretion after 50 percent of freshman slots are filled. If Branch's legislation passes the House differences between the bills would be negotiated. Final votes and consideration by the Governor would be required before the 10-percent university admissions rule is changed.