Bill Text: TX HB296 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to certain prekindergarten programs offered by a school district.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-10 - Left pending in committee [HB296 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB296-Introduced.html

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84R727 CAE-F
By: Wu H.B. No. 296

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain prekindergarten programs offered by a school
district.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.1551 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.1551. PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS RECEIVING STATE
FUNDING. (a) A school district that receives Foundation School
Program funds under Section 29.153 or grant funds under Section
29.155 for a prekindergarten program must offer an enhanced quality
prekindergarten program and comply with this section.
(b) A school district may not enroll more than 22 students
in a prekindergarten class and must maintain an average ratio of at
least one teacher or educational aide for each 11 students in
average daily attendance in prekindergarten classes.
(c) At least one teacher in each prekindergarten class must
hold a bachelor's degree and appropriate teacher certification.
(d) Each teacher in a prekindergarten class must have a
minimum of nine credit hours of college education courses
emphasizing early childhood education.
(e) A school district must select the curriculum for the
enhanced quality prekindergarten program from the list of curricula
approved for that purpose by the commissioner.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016
school year.
SECTION 3. 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.