HBA-MPM H.B. 868 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 868
By: Dutton
Public Education
4/12/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Teachers who teach smaller classes spend less time disciplining students
and are able to give students more individual attention and spend more time
with students who require extra assistance.  Reducing studentteacher ratios
has the potential to improve student performance, especially for low-income
and minority students.  Smaller classes in kindergarten and primary school
may reduce a student's need for remedial education in high school and
college.  House Bill 868 limits a class size to 10 students in kindergarten
and first through third grades and to15 students in fourth through sixth
grades. 

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 868 amends the Education Code to decrease from 22 to 10 the
number of students that may be enrolled in a kindergarten, first, second,
or third grade class.  The bill decreases from 22 to 15 the number of
students that may be enrolled in a fourth grade class.  The bill sets a
class size limit of 15 students in a fifth or sixth grade class.  The bill
continues provisions for an exemption if the commissioner of education
finds the limit works an undue hardship on the district. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.  The Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 school
year.