BILL ANALYSIS
By: Guillen
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The purpose of this legislation is to make sure that children with learning disabilities receive the same opportunities to attend pre-kindergarten training across the state. Currently different schools have different policies about such students.
This legislation ensures that students with learning disabilities receive educational services as soon as possible in public schools to help them overcome their disabilities and meet the full academic demands of school to the best of their ability.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
CSHB 2605 expands the Education Code in that a child is eligible for enrollment in a pre-kindergarten class if the child is at least three years old and has been diagnosed with a learning disability. The determination of a child's eligibility does not have the effect of requiring the child to participate in the district's special education program and the child may enroll in a pre-kindergarten class without being designated as a student in need of special services.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act applies beginning with the 2005 - 2006 school year.
This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provide by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
CSHB 2605 adds language to allow students with learning disabilities to attend pre-kindergarten classes without requiring the child to participate in a special education program.