By: Deshotel H.B. No. 2417
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to measures to ensure quality prekindergarten programs
offered by school districts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 29.1532, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (d), (e), (f), (g),
and (h) to read as follows:
(b) If a school district contracts with a private entity for
the operation of the district's prekindergarten program, the
program must at a minimum comply with the applicable child-care
licensing standards adopted by the Department of Family and
Protective [and Regulatory] Services under Section 42.042, Human
Resources Code. A private entity is eligible to contract with the
district if the entity is:
(1) a Texas Rising Star Program provider with a
three-star certification or higher; or
(2) able to satisfy the agency's prekindergarten
guidelines.
(d) A school district shall implement in the district's
prekindergarten program observation-based assessments and use the
assessment results to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and
to modify instruction methods used in the program.
(e) A school district shall select and implement
instruction methods and academic goals based on prekindergarten
guidelines established by the agency and the Texas Rising Star
Program or another nationally recognized accreditation early
childhood education program.
(f) Each teacher for a prekindergarten program class must:
(1) be certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21; and
(2) have been awarded or be working towards a Child
Development Associate (CDA) credential.
(g) Each prekindergarten class must have at least one
teacher qualified under Subsection (f). A school district must
maintain an average ratio in a prekindergarten class of not less
than one qualified teacher, paraprofessional, or educational aide
for each 10 students.
(h) A school district shall require that 25 percent of the
paraprofessionals or educational aids who are included in the
student to instructor ratio required under Subsection (g) have been
awarded or are actively working towards an associate's degree.
This subsection does not apply to a paraprofessional or educational
aide whose duties consist of only parental involvement activities
or translation services.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2016-2017
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.