What is House Bill 8 in Texas?

In July, I participated in a Zoom session hosted by The Texas Tribune and Open Campus regarding HB 8 and its affects on Texas. House Bill 8 (HB 8) in Texas, passed in 2023, significantly reforms the state's community college funding model. Sponsored by Rep. Gary VanDeaver and Sen. Brandon Creighton, the bill aims to align funding incentives with workforce needs and student outcomes. For parents who may not know much about HB 8, I felt it was important to share.

Key aspects of HB 8 include:

1. Outcome-Based Funding: The new formula allocates funds based on measurable student outcomes rather than enrollment. Metrics include earning "credentials of value," successful transfers to four-year universities, and completion of dual credit courses by high school students. Additional funds are provided for economically disadvantaged, academically underprepared, or adult students (Texas Higher Education) (The Texas Tribune). Research has shown that if a student takes 12 dual credit hours before graduation, they are 60-70% more likely to earn a degree.

2. Support for Dual Credit Students: The Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program helps economically disadvantaged high school students by covering dual credit course costs. This initiative aims to encourage early college engagement and improve postsecondary success rates.

3. Free Tuition Programs: Some community colleges, such as Austin Community College, have started offering free tuition for eligible students. This "first-dollar" program covers tuition before federal and state aid is applied, allowing other aid to be used for additional expenses like books and childcare.

4. Increased State Funding: The state has allocated an additional $210 million for community colleges in the 2024 fiscal year. This funding supports colleges in rural and property-poor districts, ensuring they can maintain operations and serve their communities.

HB 8 is part of Texas' broader strategy to enhance its workforce by ensuring more Texans can access and complete postsecondary education. The bill reflects a commitment to educational innovation and economic competitiveness.

Opening remarks

- Sonal Shah, CEO of The Texas Tribune

- Sara Hebel, co-founder and editor-in-chief, Open Campus

Reporters’ roundtable

- Daniel Perez, El Paso Matters

- Jacob Carpenter, Houston Landing

- Shomial Ahmad, Fort Worth Report

- Sneha Dey, The Texas Tribune

- Colleen Murphy, Open Campus (moderator)

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