This bill requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to prescibe a single standard or set of standards to effectively measure student readiness. The bill would prohibit an institution of higher education from adopting more stringent standards, to assess a student's readiness to perform freshman-level academic coursework, than those adopted by the THECB. The bill would also require institutions to offer a student, required to enroll in developmental education coursework, a range of developmental coursework or instructional support that includes the integration of technology to efficiently address the particular developmental needs of the student. 

This bill would require institutions to base developmental education coursework on research-based best practices that include the following components: 1) assessment; 2) differentiated placement and instruction; 3) faculty development; 4) support services; 5) program evaluation, including effectiveness and cost-efficiency; 6) integration of technology; 7) non-course-based developmental education; and 8) course pairing with credit-bearing courses. Institutions would also be required to provide professional development programs, including instruction in differentiated instruction methods designed to address student's diverse learning needs, for  developmental education faculty and staff. This bill also repeals Section 51.3062(e) of the Education Code which allows the THECB to use additional assessment instruments to measure college readiness.

The agencies estimate there would be a minimal cost associated with implementing the provisions of this bill.