Texas House Bill HB3643

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/6/09
• Voted on by House: 4/22/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/8/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/21/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/25/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to public school prekindergarten classes.

Impact

The implementation of HB 3643 will impact local school districts as they will be required to assess their eligible child population for prekindergarten offerings and comply with the tuition-free mandate. This is anticipated to increase enrollment in early childhood education programs across the state, positively influencing children's developmental readiness for school. The bill applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, indicating the urgency of its implementation upon passage.

Summary

House Bill 3643 aims to amend the Texas Education Code concerning public school prekindergarten classes. The proposed legislation stipulates that school districts must offer prekindergarten classes if they identify 15 or more children who are eligible and at least four years old. Additionally, districts have the option to offer classes for eligible children who are at least three years old. Notably, the bill prohibits districts from charging tuition for these classes, making early childhood education more accessible to families.

Contention

While HB 3643 has support for its goals of expanding access to early education, there may be contention surrounding the resources available to school districts to effectively implement these requirements. Some critics could argue about the potential strain on district budgets and whether the state will provide adequate funding to support the increase in classes. Discussions in legislative committees would likely address these financial implications and the overall readiness of districts to meet the new requirements.