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.