|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to the availability of free prekindergarten programs in |
|
public schools. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. In 2005, I filed a version of this bill because I |
|
strongly believe in the need for early child education. I along |
|
with millions of other children who were born into families with |
|
adequate means have benefitted from the great advantage that |
|
pre-kindergarten education provides, and I will continue my efforts |
|
to make sure that these advantages are available to everyone. |
|
Ensuring that all Texas children receive the benefit of early |
|
childhood education is an important part of securing the future of |
|
this state. |
|
SECTION 2. Sections 29.153(a) and (b), Education Code, are |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A district shall offer prekindergarten classes if the |
|
district identifies 15 or more children who are [eligible under
|
|
Subsection (b) and are] at least four years of age. A school |
|
district may offer prekindergarten classes if the district |
|
identifies 15 or more eligible children who are at least three years |
|
of age. A district may not charge tuition for a prekindergarten |
|
class offered under this section. |
|
(b) A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten |
|
class under this section if the child is: |
|
(1) at least three years of age and is: |
|
(A) [(1)] unable to speak and comprehend the |
|
English language; |
|
(B) [(2)] educationally disadvantaged; or |
|
(C) [(3)] homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. |
|
Section 11302, regardless of the residence of the child, of either |
|
parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or other person |
|
having lawful control of the child; or |
|
(2) at least four years of age. |
|
SECTION 3. Section 29.1532(c), Education Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(c) A school district that offers prekindergarten classes |
|
shall include the following information in the district's Public |
|
Education Information Management System (PEIMS) report: |
|
(1) demographic information, as determined by the |
|
commissioner, on students enrolled in district prekindergarten |
|
classes, including the number of students who are eligible for |
|
classes under Section 29.153(b)(1) [29.153]; |
|
(2) the numbers of half-day and full-day |
|
prekindergarten classes offered by the district; and |
|
(3) the sources of funding for the prekindergarten |
|
classes. |
|
SECTION 4. Section 29.153(d), Education Code, is repealed. |
|
SECTION 5. This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016 |
|
school year. |
|
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
|
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
|
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
|
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
|
Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |