SRC-AMY, TJG S.B. 31 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 31
78R729 CAS-DBy: Zaffirini
Education
2/18/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 


Currently, Texas law authorizes, but does not require, school districts to
offer free prekindergarten if the district identifies at least 15 children
at least four years old who are unable to speak English, are educationally
disadvantaged, or are homeless. School districts are also authorized to
offer certain prekindergarten programs on a tuition basis if not required
to do so free of charge. Preschool gives children an advantage that
positively affects their performance in school; however, there has been no
expansion of the Head Start program in Texas. As proposed, S.B. 31 expands
the accessibility of prekindergarten by dropping the age threshold from
three to four years old and requiring school districts to offer free
prekindergarten if they identify 15 children or more who are unable to
speak English, are educationally disadvantaged, or are homeless. S.B. 31
also provides that, in districts which offer prekindergarten programs, the
sole enrollment criteria is that the student be at least three years old.
The bill authorizes school districts not required to offer free
kindergarten programs, to charge tuition or use district funds for
prekindergarten programs. 

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 the heading to Section 29.153, Education Code, to read
as follows: 

 Sec. 29.153.  FREE PREKINDERGARTEN IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS.

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 29.153, Education Code, by amending Subsections
(a) and (b) and adding Subsection (f), as follows: 

(a) Requires a school district to offer prekindergarten classes if the
district identifies fifteen or more children who are at least three years
of age and who meet certain requirements.  Deletes text authorizing
certain prekindergarten classes. 

(b) Provides that a child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten
class in a district that offers prekindergarten classes if the child is at
least three years of age. Deletes text pertaining to certain requirements
needed to enroll.  

(f) Prohibits a district from charging tuition for a prekindergarten class
offered under this section. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 29.1531, Education Code, by amending Subsection
(a) and adding Subsection (a-1), as follows: 

(a) Makes a nonsubstanative change. Deletes text relating to using
district funds to  provide half-day and full-day prekindergarten classes
to children not eligible for classes under Section 29.153. 

(a-1) Authorizes a school district that is not required to offer
prekindergarten classes under Section 29.153 to offer prekindergarten
classes on a tuition basis or to use district funds to provide half-day or
full-day classes to all children who are at least three years of age. 

SECTION 4.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004
school year. 

SECTION 5.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.