HBA-LJP H.B. 2910 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2910
By: Reyna, Arthur
Public Education
4/12/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the commissioner of education is authorized to make
grants to school districts and openenrollment charter schools to expand
existing half-day kindergarten or prekindergarten programs to a fullday
basis.  A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten class if
the child is at least three years of age and is unable to speak and
comprehend the English language, educationally disadvantaged, or homeless;
however a disadvantaged student who is eligible for Title I service is not
necessarily eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten program.  House
Bill 2910 authorizes the use of a prekindergarten grant by a school
district that receives the grant for operating an existing half-day
prekindergarten program on a full-day basis to educate students who are
eligible for the school district's Title I program. 

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 2910 amends the Education Code to authorize a school district
that receives a grant for operating an existing half-day prekindergarten
program on a full-day basis to use the funds received under the grant to
educate students who are unable to speak and comprehend the English
language, educationally disadvantaged, homeless, or students who qualify
for the school district's Title I program. 

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.