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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to elementary class size limits in public schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 25.112, Education Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (d-1) and (e-1) to |
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read as follows: |
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(d) On application of a school district, the commissioner |
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shall [may] except the district from the limit in Subsection (a), |
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except as provided by Subsection (d-1) [if the commissioner finds
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the limit works an undue hardship on the district]. An exception |
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expires at the end of the school year for which it is granted. |
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(d-1) The commissioner may not grant an exception to a |
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school district under Subsection (d) if the exception would: |
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(1) allow the district to enroll more than 25 students |
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in a class at a grade level subject to the limit in Subsection (a); |
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(2) result in the district exceeding a district-wide |
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average enrollment of 22 students in classes at grade levels |
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subject to the limit under Subsection (a); or |
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(3) negatively affect the education of students |
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enrolled in the district or at a district campus, as applicable, as |
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determined by the commissioner. |
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(e-1) The board of trustees of a school district may adopt a |
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policy authorizing the superintendent of the district to apply on |
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behalf of the district, as needed, for an exception under |
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Subsection (d). |
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SECTION 2. Section 25.113(a), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) A campus or district that is granted an exception under |
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Section 25.112(d) from class size limits shall provide written |
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notice of the exception to the parent of or person standing in |
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parental relation to each student affected by the exception or |
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shall post notice of the exception on the district's Internet |
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website. The notice under this subsection must be in conspicuous |
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bold or underlined print or type and: |
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(1) specify the class for which an exception from the |
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limit imposed by Section 25.112(a) was granted; |
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(2) state the number of children in the class for which |
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the exception was granted; and |
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(3) unless posted on the district's Internet website, |
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be included in a regular mailing or other communication from the |
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campus or district, such as information sent home with students. |
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SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2011-2012 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the |
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legislative session. |