SRC-CTC H.B. 3313 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3313 By: Dunnam (Bernsen) Education 5/10/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law authorizes the commissioner of education (commissioner) to except a school district from a class size limit if the commissioner finds the limit works an undue hardship on the district. Waiver exceptions may be granted for hardships such as teacher shortages, facilities shortages, or unanticipated enrollment growth. A school district which asks for a waiver must submit a compliance plan that states how the districts will meet class size requirements. H.B. 3313 requires a campus or district that is granted an exception from the commissioner from the 22 student per class limit to provide written notice of the exception to the parent of or a person standing in parental relation to each student. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 25.112(d), Education Code, to prohibit the commissioner of education from granting an exception for more than two consecutive semesters, with certain exceptions. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 25D, Education Code, by adding Section 25.113, as follows: Sec. 25.113. NOTICE OF CLASS SIZE. Requires a campus or district that is granted an exception under Section 25.112(d) from class size limits to provide written notice of the exception to the parents of or person standing in parental relation to each student affected by the exception. Sets forth certain requirements for the notice. Requires the notice required by Subsection (a) to be provided within a certain time-frame. SECTION 3. Amends Section 39.183, Education Code, to require the Texas Education Agency to prepare and deliver to certain individuals a regional and district level report covering the preceding two school years and containing: _a summary of school district compliance with the student/teacher ratios and class size limitations prescribed by Sections 25.111 and 25.112, including the number of campuses and classes at each campus, rather than districts, granted an exception from Section 25.112 and the performance rating under Subchapter D of each campus granted an exception from Section 25.112; and _the number of classes at each campus that are currently being taught by individuals who are not certified in the content areas of their respective classes. SECTION 4. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002 school year. SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.