Sec. 7.040. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. (a) The agency shall prepare information comparing institutions of higher education in this state and post the information on the agency's Internet website. Information prepared under this section shall be given to a public school student who requests the information. The information shall:

(1) identify postsecondary education and career opportunities, including information that states the benefits of four-year and two-year higher education programs, postsecondary technical education, skilled workforce careers, and career education programs;

(2) compare each institution of higher education with other institutions regarding:

(A) the relative cost of tuition;

(B) the retention rate of students;

(C) the graduation rate of students;

(D) the average student debt;

(E) the loan repayment rate of students; and

(F) the employment rate of students;

(3) identify the state's future workforce needs, as projected by the Texas Workforce Commission; and

(4) include annual wage information for the top 10 highest demand jobs in this state, as identified by the Texas Workforce Commission.

(b) The agency shall collaborate with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission to obtain the information required under Subsection (a). The agency shall incorporate the use of existing materials and develop new materials to be provided to counselors, students, and parents regarding institutions of higher education.

(c) Each institution of higher education shall include on its Internet website, in a prominent location that is not more than three hyperlinks from the website's home page, a link to the information posted on the agency's Internet website under Subsection (a).

Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 299 (H.B. 1296), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.