Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 955 amends the Education Code to require the commissioner of education to establish a competitive grant program to distribute at least 95 percent of the funds appropriated to support pre-reading instruction. The grants, worth between $50,000 and $150,000, may be awarded to public schools and charter schools that provide prekindergarten or preschool instruction programs if at least 75 percent of the children enrolled in the program are low income students. An applicant must commit public or private funds matching the grant in a percentage set for that applicant by the commissioner.

            Senate Bill 955 also requires Head Start programs to provide specific pre-reading educational services to ensure that children are prepared to enter school when they complete the program.