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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 268
76R11715 ESH-DBy: Ogden
Education
4/15/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, the state-funded flexible 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.  C.S.S.B. 268
would establish an optional flexible year program for public school
students who would not otherwise be promoted. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 268 establishes an optional flexible 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 0821(f), 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 FLEXIBLE YEAR PROGRAM.  Authorizes a school
district to apply to the commissioner of education (commissioner) for
approval to provide an optional flexible year program (program) for
students who would not otherwise be promoted to the next grade level.
Authorizes a school district to provide conditions regarding instructional
days, in order to enable a school district to provide a program.  Provides
that each educator employed under a 10-month contract must provide the
minimum number of days of service, notwithstanding certain specific days.
Authorizes a school district to require educational support personnel to
provide service as necessary for a program.  Authorizes a program to be at
the beginning or end of the regular school year.  Authorizes the
commissioner to adopt rules for the administration of programs provided
under this section. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 25.081(a), Education Code, to make conforming
changes. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 29.0821, Education Code, to add a new heading.  Sets forth
conditions regarding the implementation of an optional flexible year
program for certain students. 

SECTION 2.  

 Redesignated from proposed SECTION 4.  Deletes proposed SECTIONS 2, 3, and
5. 

 SECTIONS 3 and 4.

 Redesignated from proposed SECTIONS 6 and 7.