BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2081

By: Menéndez

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Education Agency has reported that high-quality prekindergarten programs reduce a student's likelihood of dropping out of school by two percent and increase a student's likelihood of graduating from high school on time by six percent, enrolling in college by seven percent, and attending the second year of college by six percent. In the 2019-2020 school year, the average prekindergarten class size in Texas was 19, and there have been calls to limit prekindergarten class sizes across the state to assist in creating an optimal learning environment for students. S.B. 2081 seeks to address this issue by imposing class size limits of no more than 22 students for prekindergarten classes provided by or on behalf of public schools.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 2081 amends the Education Code to prohibit the following entities from enrolling more than 22 students in a prekindergarten class:

·         a public school district, subject to certain exceptions;

·         a private entity operating a district's prekindergarten program under a contract; and

·         a private provider contracted to provide services or equipment for a district program.

The bill establishes that this prekindergarten class size limit does not apply to an open-enrollment charter school or a campus or program operated under a campus or campus program charter. The bill applies beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.