There will likely be a great deal of discussion over the next couple of years about electronic textbooks for students in Texas higher education. The issue has been the subject of a number of posts at this site, often describing new technological developments that could potentially stem the rising cost of traditional texts. In some situations, books cost students more than tuition and fees.
A bill has been sent to the governor that requires the Coordinating Board to study how to save costs in higher education. The board must submit the study no later than January 31, 2011. Significantly, the bill would also require the agency to "conduct a study, and recommend polices, regarding the use and availability of electronic textbooks in Texas, and in other states."
The bill is HB 4149, sponsored by Rep. Patrick Rose (D-Dripping Springs). Here's the text of the measure in its enrolled form.
The study would also include a new focus on the "results of a pilot program conducted by the University of Texas at Austin and address methods to encourage the use of electronic textbooks."
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