Texas House Bill HB1158

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to including full-day prekindergarten student attendance in the determination of a district's weighted average daily attendance for purposes of complying with equalized wealth level requirements.

Impact

The implementation of HB 1158 is expected to have a significant impact on state education funding formulas. By allowing full-day prekindergarten students to be counted fully in attendance calculations, the bill could increase the amount of state funding available to school districts, especially those with robust prekindergarten programs. This change is particularly beneficial for districts that serve a high number of economically disadvantaged students, as they may rely more heavily on adequate state funding to support their educational offerings. The bill also aligns with broader educational goals of increasing access to quality early childhood education, which is seen as critical for long-term academic success.

Summary

House Bill 1158 aims to amend the Education Code to include full-day prekindergarten student attendance in the calculation of a school district's weighted average daily attendance (WADA). This inclusion is intended to help districts comply with equalized wealth level requirements for state funding. By counting full-day prekindergarten students based on their full-day attendance rather than partial attendance, the bill looks to ensure that school districts receive adequate funding that reflects the actual number of students being served in these programs. The bill emphasizes the importance of early education in the development of young children and recognizes the role of full-day attendance in enhancing learning opportunities.

Contention

Despite its supportive intent, HB 1158 may encounter contention in legislative discussions. Some lawmakers might argue about the sustainability of additional funding for full-day prekindergarten programs, given constraints in the state's budget. Additionally, there could be concerns regarding how this shift in funding calculation may affect districts that do not offer full-day programs or are unable to expand their prekindergarten offerings. As education funding debates in Texas often reflect broader ideological divides over the best ways to support public education, discussions around this bill may highlight competing priorities for the state's educational budget.