HBA-JEK, CCH H.B. 1292 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1292
By: Garcia
Public Education
4/12/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law prohibits a school district from enrolling more than 22
students in a kindergarten, first, second, third, or fourth grade class,
but does not establish separate teacher-student ratios for special
education classes.  Many special education students have behavioral
problems or learning disabilities that require more individualized
attention.  House Bill 1292 prohibits a school district from enrolling more
than 10 students in a special education class at any grade level. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1292 amends the Education Code to prohibit a school district
from enrolling more than 10 students in a special education class.  The
bill provides that the limit does not apply during any 12-week period of
the school year selected by a district that has a significant percentage of
students who are migratory children, or the last 12 weeks of any school
year in the case of any other district. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. The Act applies beginning with the
2001-2002 school year.