BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 596
79R4245 BDH-F By: Madla
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, some small schools have to combine grades under one teacher in the same classroom. As proposed, S.B. 596 will provide minimum staffing for the state's smallest schools that offer prekindergarten programs and that are 30 miles or more from the nearest high schools by providing a guarantee of at least one teacher for each grade taught through adjustments to the average daily attendance formula.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 42.105, Education Code, as follows:
Sec. 42.105. SPARSITY ADJUSTMENT. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text. Requires a district offering a kindergarten through grade 8 program whose preceding or current year's average daily attendance was at least 50 students or which is 30 miles or more by bus route from the nearest high school district to be provided an adjusted basic allotment on the basis of 90, rather than 75, students in average daily attendance. Requires an average daily attendance of 70, rather than 60, students to be the basis of providing the adjusted basic allotment if a district offers a kindergarten through 6 program and has a preceding or current year's average daily attendance of at least 40 students or is 30 miles or more by bus route from the nearest high school district. Makes a conforming change.
(b) Requires a school district, notwithstanding Subsection (a), to which that subsection applies that offers a half-day prekindergarten program with at least three students in average daily attendance to be provided an adjusted basic allotment on the basis of the applicable number of students in average daily attendance prescribed by Subsection (a), plus an additional five students in average daily attendance.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective to the 2005-2006 school year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.