79R6300 SLO-D

By:  Pena                                                         H.B. No. 3377



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a kindergarten-plus program for certain children.                 
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 29, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 29.161 to read as follows:
	Sec. 29.161.  KINDERGARTEN-PLUS PROGRAM.  (a)  In addition 
to any other funding to which a school district is entitled, from 
funds appropriated for that purpose, the commissioner shall 
distribute to each school district an amount of money equal to the 
product of $2,000 multiplied by the number of children in average 
daily attendance, as determined under Section 42.005, in the 
district's kindergarten-plus program. A district may use funds 
received under this subsection only for the purpose of the 
district's kindergarten-plus program.
	(b)  A child is eligible to participate in a school 
district's kindergarten-plus program if:
		(1)  the child is entitled to attend school in the 
district under Section 25.001;
		(2)  the child:                                                        
			(A)  is enrolled or is planning to enroll in a 
district kindergarten class for the next school year; or
			(B)  has just completed kindergarten;                                 
		(3)  the child is educationally disadvantaged; and                     
		(4)  the child's parent or guardian has applied for the 
child to participate in the kindergarten-plus program in the time 
and manner required by the district and the district has accepted 
the child's application.
	(c)  A school district kindergarten-plus program must, at a 
minimum, consist of:
		(1)  six weeks of additional instruction for an 
eligible child during the summer before the child will begin 
kindergarten; and
		(2)  six weeks of additional instruction for an 
eligible child during the summer after the child completes 
kindergarten.
	(d)  In addition to compensation from funds provided under 
this section, a teacher who teaches for a kindergarten-plus program 
is entitled to two additional professional development days each 
school year.
	(e)  The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to 
administer this section.  The rules must provide for standards and a 
curriculum for the kindergarten-plus program.
	SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date 
of this Act, the commissioner shall adopt rules relating to the 
kindergarten-plus program provided for by Section 29.161, 
Education Code, as added by this Act.
	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 September 1, 2005.