SRC-MWN S.B. 266 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 266
77R3541 ESH-DBy: Ogden
Education
2/28/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the state-funded extended year program covers only a portion of
the costs for a participating district and authorizes only certain
districts to participate. As proposed, S.B. 266 amends Chapter 29 of the
Texas Education Code authorizing a school district to provide an optional
flexible school year program for students who would otherwise not be
promoted to the next grade level. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of education
in SECTION 1 (Section 29.0821, Education Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 29C, Education Code, by adding Section 29.0821,
as follows: 

Sec. 29.0821. OPTIONAL FLEXIBLE YEAR PROGRAM. Authorizes a school district
to apply to the commissioner of education (commissioner) for approval to
provide a flexible year program for students who would not otherwise be
promoted to the next grade level. Authorizes a school district, to enable
it to provide a program under this section, with the approval of the
commissioner, to provide a number of days of instruction during the regular
school year that is not more than 10 days fewer than the number required
under Section 25.081(a); and use for instructional purposes not more than
five days that would otherwise be used for staff development or teacher
preparation. Requires each educator employed under a 10-month contract,
notwithstanding any reduction in the number of instructional days in the
regular school year or in the number of staff development days, to provide
the minimum days of service required under Section 21.401. Authorizes a
school district to require educational support personnel to provide service
as necessary for an optional flexible year program. Authorizes an optional
year program to be at the beginning or end of the regular school year.
Authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules for the administration of
programs provided under this section. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 25.081(a), Education Code, to provide exceptions
for each school year each school district is required to operate so that
the district provides for at least 180 days of instruction for students,
except as authorized under Subsection (b) of this section, Section 25.084,
or Section 29.0821. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001.