SRC-DPW S.B. 1455 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1455 76R9292 KKA-FBy: West Education 4/12/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texas law narrowly defines a "student at risk of dropping out of school" by age rather than grade level for students in grade levels higher than seventh grade. The definition is used in determining portions of a school district's funding. This bill would expand the definition of a "student at risk of dropping out of school," and set forth guidelines for administration and funding of a compensatory and accelerated instruction program in public schools. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1455 sets forth guidelines for administration and funding of a compensatory and accelerated instruction program 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 29.081, Education Code, by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (g) and (h), to redefine "student at risk of dropping out of school." Authorizes a student eligible to participate in a district's special education program under Section 29.003 to receive instructional services if such action is determined appropriate by the student's admission, review, and dismissal committee. Authorizes a student who satisfies local eligibility criteria adopted by the board of trustees of the school district to receive instructional services under this section. Prohibits the number of students receiving instructional services from exceeding 10 percent of the number of students described by Subsection (d) who received instructional services during the preceding school year, or be identified as being at risk of dropping out of school, for the purposes of Chapter 39 or Section 42.152(r). SECTION 2. Amends Section 39.051(b), Education Code, to require indicators adopted under this section to be based on information that is disaggregated with respect to certain characteristics or at-risk status under Section 29.081. SECTION 3. Amends Section 39.053(d), Education Code, to authorize a performance report to include socioeconomic or at-risk status under Section 29.081, rather than economic status. SECTION 4. Amends Section 39.182(a), Education Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 5. Amends Sections 42.152(c) and (r), Education Code, to authorize funds allocated under this section to be used only to meet the costs of providing a compensatory education and accelerated instruction program under Section 29.081 (accelerated program), an alternative education program under Section 37.008, or a program receiving federal assistance under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section 6301 et seq.). Authorizes a district's compensatory education allotment to be used for the costs supplementary to the regular education program in meeting the costs of providing an accelerated program. Requires a home-rule school district or an open-enrollment charter school to use funds allocated under Subsection (a) for a purpose authorized in this subsection, rather than to provide compensatory education services. Requires the commissioner of education (commissioner) to grant a one-year exemption to a school district in which students identified as being at risk of dropping out of school perform on certain assessment instruments at levels rated to be academically acceptable. Requires the commissioner to determine and notify a school district of its exemption, based on the most recent information available, not later than March 1 of each year. Deletes text authorizing funds to be spent for certain purposes. Deletes provision regarding Subsection (q). Makes a conforming change. SECTION 6. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 1999 - 2000 school year. SECTION 7.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.