BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                 C.S.S.B. 403

80R9980 CAE-D                                                                                                    By: Van de Putte

                                                                                                                                            Education

                                                                                                                                            3/19/2007

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Current law provides no uniform guidelines for schools regarding the placement of multiple birth siblings.  This can create confusion and frustration from year to year as the children change grades or schools.

 

C.S.S.B. 403 requires multiple birth siblings to be placed in either the same or separate classrooms upon request of the parent, except as otherwise provided for in the bill.  It also authorizes the principal to determine the appropriate classroom placement of the siblings at the end of the first grading period if the principal and the assigned teacher determine that their current placement is disruptive.  The bill also authorizes a parent to appeal the board’s determination. 

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 25, Education Code, by adding Section 25.043, as follows:

 

Sec. 25.043.  CLASSROOM PLACEMENT OF MULTIPLE BIRTH SIBLINGS.  (a)  Defines "multiple birth sibling" and "parent."

 

(b)  Authorizes a parent of multiple birth siblings (siblings) assigned to the same grade level and school to request, in writing and not later than the 14th day after the first day of enrollment, placement of the siblings to the same or separate classrooms.

 

(c)  Requires a school to provide the siblings with the requested placement, except as provided by Subsection (d) or (f).

 

(d)  Authorizes the principal to determine the appropriate classroom placement of the siblings if, after the first grading period following enrollment, the principal in consultation with the siblings' teachers determines that the requested classroom placement is disruptive to the school.

 

(e)  Authorizes a parent to appeal the principal’s classroom placement of the siblings in the manner provided by school district policy.  Requires the siblings to remain in the classroom chosen by the parent during an appeal.

 

(f)  Provides that a school district is not required to place multiple birth siblings in separate classrooms if the request requires the district to add an additional class to the siblings’ grade level.

 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective to the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.