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.