SRC-JRN S.B. 433 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 433
By: Lucio
Education
4-10-97
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Currently, school districts are allowed to begin the school calendar year
according to the school district's needs.  Many communities that depend on
summer tourism have expressed the concern that revenue is lost because
families often must leave early for their students to return to school.
S.B. 433 establishes a statewide start date for schools, which provides
for greater coordination of family and student activities during the
summer season. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 433 establishes a statewide start date for schools,
which provides for greater coordination of family and student activities
during the summer season. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 25C, Education Code, by adding Section 25.0811,
as follows: 

Sec. 25.0811.  FIRST INSTRUCTIONAL DAY.  Prohibits a school district from
beginning instruction for students for a school year before September 1.
Requires the commissioner of education to grant exemptions upon written
request. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 25.084(a), Education Code, to authorize a school
district to modify the first day of instruction for students for a school
year, if the district adopts a year-round system. Makes a conforming
change. 

SECTION 3. Provides that Sections 25.0811 and 25.084(a), Education Code,
apply beginning with the 1997-198 school year. 

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amendment 1.

Amends Section 25.0811, Education Code, to require the commissioner of
education to grant exemptions upon written request by the school district.