SRC-MSY S.B. 346 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 346 78R1197 ESH-DBy: Ogden Education 2/20/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the state-funded extended year program covers only a portion of the costs for a participating school district and authorizes only certain districts to participate. In addition, the programs are not available at grade levels beyond the eighth grade. As proposed, S.B. 346 amends Chapter 29 of the Education Code to authorize a school district to provide an optional flexible school year program for students who would otherwise not be promoted to the next grade level. In addition, S.B. 346 allows a district to reduce the regular school year and teacher service days to create time for specialized programs for at-risk students. 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. (a) 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 perform well on a certain assessment instrument or who would not otherwise be promoted to the next grade level. (b) Authorizes a school district to provide additional instructional days for a program under this section by setting aside certain days for that purpose. (c) Requires each educator employed under a 10-month contract to provide the minimum days of service required under Section 21.401, notwithstanding any reduction in the number of instructional days in the regular school year or in the number of staff development days. (d) Authorizes a school district to require educational support personnel to provide service as necessary for an optional flexible year program. (e) Authorizes an optional flexible year program to be held at the beginning or end of the regular school year. (f) Authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules for the administration of programs under this section. SECTION 2. Amends Section 25.081(a), Education Code, to provide that Section 29.0821, in addition to Sections 25.081(b) and 25.084, constitutes an exception to the requirement that each school district operate so that the district provides for at least 180 days of instruction for students. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2003.