Texas Senate Bill SB1650

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to calculation of average daily attendance for school districts providing certain full-day prekindergarten programs.

Impact

The implementation of SB1650 could lead to increased funding for school districts that invest in high-quality prekindergarten programs. By factoring in attendance from these students into average daily attendance calculations, districts will have more financial resources, which can be used to enhance early childhood education. This is significant in a state where access to quality early education is often cited as a critical factor in student success. Moreover, by promoting tuition-free options, the bill seeks to reduce barriers for families who may otherwise be unable to afford full-day prekindergarten.

Summary

Senate Bill 1650 aims to amend the Education Code by allowing school districts to include full days of attendance for students enrolled in full-day prekindergarten programs in their average daily attendance calculations. This is specifically for districts that offer such programs tuition-free and comply with high-quality requirements set forth in relevant regulations. The goal of the bill is to encourage enrollment in full-day prekindergarten programs and to help districts receive appropriate funding based on this attendance.

Contention

While the intent behind SB1650 is largely supportive of education funding and accessibility, there may be opposition regarding the continuation of funding for existing programs versus the push for new ones. Additionally, addressing the compliance with high-quality requirements might raise concerns about the standards set for prekindergarten programs, potentially leading to debates on what constitutes 'high quality' and how it is assessed. The bill proposes a shift that could benefit particular districts more than others, leading to discussions about equity in education financing.