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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the availability of free prekindergarten programs in |
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public schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. In 2005, I filed a version of this bill because I |
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strongly believe in the need for early child education. I along |
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with millions of other children who were born into families with |
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adequate means have benefitted from the great advantage that |
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pre-kindergarten education provides, and I will continue my efforts |
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to make sure that these advantages are available to everyone. |
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Ensuring that all Texas children receive the benefit of early |
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childhood education is an important part of securing the future of |
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this state. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 29.153(a) and (b), Education Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A district shall offer prekindergarten classes if the |
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district identifies 15 or more children who are [eligible under
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Subsection (b) and are] at least four years of age. A school |
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district may offer prekindergarten classes if the district |
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identifies 15 or more eligible children who are at least three years |
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of age. A district may not charge tuition for a prekindergarten |
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class offered under this section. |
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(b) A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten |
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class under this section if the child is: |
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(1) at least three years of age and is: |
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(A) [(1)] unable to speak and comprehend the |
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English language; |
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(B) [(2)] educationally disadvantaged; or |
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(C) [(3)] homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. |
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Section 11302, regardless of the residence of the child, of either |
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parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or other person |
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having lawful control of the child; or |
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(2) at least four years of age. |
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SECTION 3. Section 29.1532(c), Education Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(c) A school district that offers prekindergarten classes |
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shall include the following information in the district's Public |
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Education Information Management System (PEIMS) report: |
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(1) demographic information, as determined by the |
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commissioner, on students enrolled in district prekindergarten |
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classes, including the number of students who are eligible for |
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classes under Section 29.153(b)(1) [29.153]; |
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(2) the numbers of half-day and full-day |
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prekindergarten classes offered by the district; and |
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(3) the sources of funding for the prekindergarten |
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classes. |
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SECTION 4. Section 29.153(d), Education Code, is repealed. |
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SECTION 5. This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 6. 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 September 1, 2015. |