SRC-SLL, DPW S.B. 1784 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1784
By: Gallegos
Education
8/23/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law identifies a number of education programs a school
district must design and implement for students with special needs.
Section 29.081, Education Code, grants a school district the authority to
utilize community-based dropout recovery education programs to provide
alternative education programs for students at risk of dropping out of
school.  In March 1995, the attorney general advised that school districts,
which contract with public or private entities to provide educational
services, are not relieved of their obligations to comply with statutory
requirements applicable to school districts.  The attorney general's
position has prevented school districts from contracting with
community-based programs that are providing creative solutions to students
who have dropped out of school or are at risk of dropping out of school.
S.B. 1784 gives school districts the local authority to develop and
regulate community-based dropout recovery education programs in order to
provide an alternative education program that parallels the needs of
at-risk students. 

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 1784 sets forth guidelines for the administration of
private community-based dropout recovery education programs to provide
alternative education programs for students at risk of dropping out of
school. 

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(e), Education Code, to require certain
dropout recovery education programs to provide not less than four hours of
instructional time per day; employ as faculty and administrators persons
with baccalaureate or advanced degrees; provide at least one instructor for
each 28 students; perform satisfactorily according to performance
indicators and accountability standards adopted for alternative education
programs by the commissioner of education; and comply with this title and
rules adopted under this title except as otherwise provided by this
subsection.  Deletes text requiring the program to perform certain tasks. 

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 1999-2000
school year. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.