Academics

September 15, 2008 – Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Unicorn GPA Calculation Recommendation:

The following information represents proposed recommendations on the UGPAC currently under consideration by the Commissioner of Higher Education. These and any subsequent recommendations are scheduled to be considered by the full Coordinating Board at its October 23, 2008, quarterly meeting. Please check back regularly for additional updates. Or, you may contact the External Relations Division at 512-427-6111 or 427-6119 for more details.

See Recommendation

August 26, 2008 Updated – Attorney General’s Opinion – See Below

Legislation passed by the 80th legislature, HB 3851, requires the Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to develop a uniform GPA methodology to be used by Texas universities in admission decisions, including Top 10 percent admissions decisions.

Commissioner of Higher Education, Raymond Paredes held two meetings recently to discuss the development of a uniform Grade Point Average (GPA) methodology.

This legislation will affect how GPA is calculated for all public school students. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has asked the Attorney General to interpret certain provisions of House Bill 3851.

Opinion No. GA-0655

Re: Whether the Higher Education Coordinating Board's standard method of calculating high school grade point averages must be followed by independent school districts (RQ-0716-GA)

Summary: Section 51.807 of the Texas Education Code provides that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (the "THECB") shall adopt rules establishing a standard method for computing a student's high school grade point average, and such method must be used to calculate the grade point average of a student applying as a first-time freshman for admission to a general academic teaching institution beginning with admission for the 2009 fall semester. Section 28.0252 authorizes the Commissioner of Education to adopt a standard method to compute a student's high school grade point average and requires school districts to use that method, unless it conflicts with the THECB's method. The standard method established by the THECB must be used to calculate a student's grade point average for purposes of determining eligibility for university admission under subchapter U, chapter 51, regardless of whether the Commissioner has developed a standard method as permitted under section

28.0252(a) of the Texas Education Code.

Because section 51.807 does not suggest an intention by the Legislature to make the THECB's standard method apply retroactively, and because there is a presumption against retroactive application of both statutes and agency rules, the THECB's standard method should be applied on a prospective basis only.