SRC-JJJ S.B. 268 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 268
76R4644 ESH-DBy: Ogden
Education
4/12/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the state-funded extended year program for schools has not
proven to be adequate to meet the needs of at-risk students.  The program
covers only a portion of the costs for a participating district, and is
only available to certain students in certain grade levels.  S.B. 268 would
establish an optional extended year program for public school students who
would not otherwise be promoted. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 268 establishes an optional extended year program for
public school students who would not otherwise be promoted. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION
1 (Section 29.0821(c), Education Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 29C, Education Code, by adding Section 29.0821,
as follows: 

Sec. 29.0821.  OPTIONAL EXTENDED YEAR PROGRAM.  Authorizes a school
district to apply to the commissioner of education (commissioner) for
approval to provide an extended year program for students who would not
otherwise be promoted to the next grade level.  Authorizes a school
district to establish certain conditions to provide the funding necessary
for a program.  Grants rulemaking authority to the commissioner for the
administration of programs provided under this section. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 21.401(b), Education Code, to make a conforming
change. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 21.402, Education Code, by amending Subsection
(a) and by adding Subsection (g), to establish the minimum salary of a
classroom teacher or full-time librarian in a school district for which the
commissioner has approved an extended year program.  Sets forth the
equation for adjusting the classroom teacher and full-time librarian
salaries.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 25.081(a), Education Code, to make conforming
changes. 

SECTION 5.  Amends the heading to Section 29.082, Education Code, as
follows: 

Sec. 29.082.  New heading:  STATE-FUNDED OPTIONAL EXTENDED YEAR PROGRAM.

SECTION 6.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 7.  Emergency clause.