Committee considers change to admissions formula for homeschool students to use median test score
Loading...
Summary
Senate Bill 1716 would revise how nontraditional and homeschooled applicants are ranked for automatic admission to Texas public universities by using median rather than average SAT/ACT scores and extend other eligibility for homeschool students.
The Senate Committee on Education heard an explanation May 1 of the committee substitute for Senate Bill 1716, which would change how nontraditional students, including homeschoolers, are ranked for automatic admission to Texas public universities.
Senator King said the substitute replaces an averaging method with the median when considering SAT or ACT scores for automatic-admission calculations, saying the median better reflects typical outcomes and excludes outliers that can unfairly penalize students. "This bill changes the formula to use the median score instead," King said.
The substitute also would make homeschool students eligible for the Texas Grant program and dual-credit opportunities, with an amendment ensuring dual credit eligibility begins with the upcoming school year. King said universities, including the University of Texas, were involved in shaping a carve-out to protect their admissions frameworks.
Senator King told the committee that stakeholders did not oppose the change and that the substitute matches a version that passed the House 39-1. The committee opened public testimony but had no registered witnesses; the bill was left pending subject to the call of the chair.
No formal committee action or vote occurred during the hearing.
