By: Hochberg H.B. No. 33
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an optional flexible school day program for students in
grades nine through twelve who have dropped out of school or who are
at-risk of dropping out.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.0822 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.0822. OPTIONAL FLEXIBLE SCHOOL DAY PROGRAM.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 25.081 or 25.082, a school district
may provide a flexible school day program for students in grades
nine through 12 who have dropped out of school or who are at risk of
dropping out of school as defined by Section 29.081.
(b) To enable a school district to provide a program under
this section that meets the needs of students described by
Subsection (a), a school district may:
(1) provide flexibility in the number of hours each
day a student attends;
(2) provide flexibility in the number of days each
week a student attends; or
(3) allow a student to enroll in less or more than a
full course load;
(c) A course offered in a program under this section must
provide for at least the same number of instructional hours as
required for a course offered in a program that meets the required
minimum number of instructional days under Section 25.081 and the
required length of school day under Section 25.082.
(d) The commissioner may adopt rules for the administration
of this section. The commissioner shall calculate average daily
attendance for students served under this section. The
commissioner shall allow accumulations of hours of instruction for
students whose schedule would not otherwise allow full state
funding. Funding under this subsection shall be determined based
on the number of instructional days in the district calendar and a
seven-hour school day, but attendance may be cumulated over a
school year, inclusive of any summer or vacation sessions. The
attendance of students who accumulate less than the number of
attendance hours required under this subsection shall be
proportionately reduced for funding purposes. The commissioner may
set maximum funding amounts for an individual course under this
section.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2006-2007
school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the
legislative session.