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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 266
77R3541 ESH-DBy: Ogden
Education
3/23/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


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. C.S.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 did not pass an assessment
instrument administered under Section 39.023 or would not otherwise be
promoted to the next grade level. Authorizes a school district, to enable
it to provide additional instructional days for a program under this
section to povide, with the approval of the commissioner, 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.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1. Amends As Filed S.B. 266, Chapter 29C, Education Code, as
follows: 

  _Adds new proposed language regarding providing students who do not pass
an assessment instrument.  
 _Adds new proposed language regarding additional instructional days for a
program.