SRC-JJJ S.B. 576 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 576
76R6060 BDH-DBy: Armbrister
Education
3/25/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Texas Education Agency and school districts report campus
and district-wide class averages which do not provide the public with an
accurate accounting of actual class size among grade levels, subject area
and programs.  The reporting of accurate class size ratios, between
students and employees, is important for making informed decisions about
education quality, facility issues, and student success.  S.B. 576 would
require school districts to include the actual number of students enrolled
per class by grade level, subject, or special program, and for information
to be included on the campus report card delivered to parents. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 576 requires a school district to report class size in
public schools. 

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 Section 25.112, Education Code, by adding Subsection
(e), to require a school district to annually report to the commissioner of
education the number of students enrolled in each class.  Requires the
report to be organized by grade level, curriculum subject, and special
program. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 39.052(b) and (c), Education Code, to delete
reference to student/teacher ratios.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 3.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2000-2001
school year. 

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