BILL ANALYSIS
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Senate Research Center |
H.B. 1593 |
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85R8857 SRS-F |
By: Bohac (Hughes) |
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Education |
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5/17/2017 |
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Engrossed |
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, passed H.B. 4 relating to prekindergarten programs. The bill included a high-quality prekindergarten grant program provided by public school districts. The final version of that bill established a family engagement plan to assist school districts in achieving and maintaining high levels of family involvement and positive family attitudes toward education.
The Texas Education Agency was directed to collaborate with other state agencies�including the Health and Human Services Commission�that provide services for children from birth through five years of age to establish prioritized family engagement strategies to be included in a school district's family engagement plan. The engagement strategies are required to be based on empirical research and proven to demonstrate significant positive short and long-term outcomes for early childhood education.
H.B. 1593 adds language to this statutory framework requiring that engagement strategies "include programs and interventions that engage a family in supporting a student's learning at home." Parental involvement in a child's education is fundamental, and H.B. 1593 emphasizes family educational efforts in the current prekindergarten program.
H.B. 1593 amends current law relating to the engagement strategies included in a school district's family engagement plan.
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 Section 29.168(b), Education Code, as follows:
(b) Requires that the family engagement strategies:
(1) and (2) makes nonsubstantive changes; and
(3) include programs and interventions that engage a family in supporting a student's learning at home.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.