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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the average ratio of students and teachers in a |
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prekindergarten class. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 29.167, Education Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g) to |
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read as follows: |
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(d) Except as provided by Subsection (e), a [A] school |
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district shall [must attempt to] maintain an average ratio in any |
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prekindergarten program class of not less than one certified |
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teacher or teacher's aide for each 11 students. |
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(e) On application by a school district, the commissioner |
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may exempt the district from complying with Subsection (d). |
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(f) A school district seeking an exemption under Subsection |
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(e) shall apply to the commissioner for the exemption not later |
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than: |
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(1) October 1; or |
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(2) the 30th day after the first school day the |
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district exceeds the ratio provided by Subsection (d). |
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(g) If a school district repeatedly fails to comply with |
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this section, the commissioner may take any appropriate action |
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authorized to be taken by the commissioner under Chapter 39A. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. 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, 2021. |