HB 8 changes decades-old system for community college funding

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - House Bill 8 is changing how junior and community colleges receive state funding.

Robin Satterwhite, President of South Plains College, says the bill is overhauling a decades-old system.

“For over 50 years,” Satterwhite said, “community colleges have been funded basically on an allocation system.”

Now House Bill 8 sets aside $682 million for colleges depending on how many students walk away with degrees or certifications, or transfer to a four-year university.

The bill was passed unanimously in the House and Senate.

“The legislature came in and wanted to shift that funding to more of an outcomes-based funding,” Satterwhite said.

Ninety-five percent of funding will be based on those student outcomes. The other five percent will cover basic funding for colleges.

“We don’t just focus on how many we have here,” Satterwhite said. “We’re focusing on how successful those students are.”

The bill allows educators to do that before and after students arrive on a college campus.

High school kids on free or reduced lunch can now take dual credit classes for free. Those who complete certificate programs can head straight to the workforce or a university.

“They’re putting out degrees of things that we can actually use,” District 84 Representative Carl Tepper said. “Whether it be vocational training, nurses, welders, law enforcement, EMS technicians and even more.”

Tepper says for colleges like South Plains, the new system could lead to a large increase in funding.

“For an institution like South Plains College, that would be about a 52% increase in state funding from last year,” Tepper said.

Satterwhite says that increased funding will help schools get more people certified and make a bigger impact on our community.

“That means everything for our students,” Satterwhite said. “It means everything for our colleges and for our industry and our communities. Allowing students and focusing on students earning a credential.”

The bill gives larger incentives for students who earn credentials for jobs in high demand across Texas...

“We may get funded differently for a student who’s pursuing one degree versus another degree,” Satterwhite said.

Still, Satterwhite says HB 8 will support all students’ pursuit of higher education.

“This is going to be beneficial to every level of education,” Satterwhite said.