TITLE: Relating to requiring the reporting of certain information regarding prekindergarten programs provided by or on behalf of school districts.

SUMMARY: Relating to requiring the reporting of certain information regarding prekindergarten programs provided by or on behalf of school districts.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to requiring the reporting of certain information regarding prekindergarten programs provided by or on behalf of school districts. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.1544 to read as follows: Sec. 29.1544. REPORTING OF CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS; AGENCY REPORT. (a) The agency by rule shall require each school district that offers a prekindergarten program under Section 29.153 and each private entity that provides a prekindergarten program under contract with a school district to report the following information in the form and manner prescribed by the agency for each prekindergarten class offered by the district or private entity: (1) the number of students in each prekindergarten class; (2) the number of certified teachers in each prekindergarten class; (3) the number of teacher's aides in each prekindergarten class; (4) whether each prekindergarten class is full-day or half-day; and (5) if the district offers half-day classes, whether the district offers two half-day classes per day. (b) From the information submitted under Subsection (a), the agency shall determine the total number of teachers and teacher's aides in prekindergarten classes in this state. (c) From the information submitted under Subsection (a) and for purposes of calculating the student/teacher ratio for each prekindergarten class offered by a school district or private entity that provides a prekindergarten program under contract with a school district, the agency shall count each teacher or teacher's aide: (1) once for a full-day class; and (2) twice for a half-day class if the district offers two half-day classes per day. (d) Not later than August 1 of each year, the agency shall prepare and submit a report to the legislature based on the information collected under Subsection (a). SECTION 2. Not later than August 1, 2020, the Texas Education Agency shall submit the initial report required under Section 29.1544, Education Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.