HB 130, TECEC PRIORITY BILL, relating to full-day high quality pre-k programs, filed 11/10/2008

HB 130, authored by Representative Patrick, amends the Texas Education Code and 1) authorizes the operation of half and/or full day prekindergarten program, and 2) establishes criteria for class sizes, staffing, and curriculum, and, 3) authorizes the formation of partnerships between school districts and community providers to provide a percentage of the services offered by the expanded pre K program and establishes exceptions to the community partnerships, and 4) defines criteria for eligibility of community partners, and 5) requires a written contractual agreement between the school district and community providers, and 6) delineates criteria for minimum funding for community providers, and 7) establishes annual reporting standards, and 8) establishes duties of the commissioner and authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules needed to implement the program, and 9) delineates restrictions of funding for the program, and 10) establishes a funded requirement for an annual evaluation of the enhanced pre K program. This bill also amends the Texas Education Code authorizing eligibility of enhanced pre K students for school funding and establishing criteria for calculating funding for eligible students. Companion to SB 21 introduced by Zaffirini, et al.

Full Text: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/html/HB00130I.htm

Let's start off the 81st Texas Legislative Session getting the word out early to our elected officials about the importance of high-quality early education in Texas. Our coalition's #1 priority this session is to support full-day high-quality pre-k programs with an emphasis on local, integrated community-based partnerships. Thankfully Senator Judith Zaffirini and Representative Diane Patrick pre-filed Senate Bill 21 and House Bill 130, identical companion bills which would provide state formula funding to allow districts to voluntarily expand pre-k programs to a full-day for currently eligible four-year-old children.

What's more, the bills would require districts to implement the following quality standards: class size limits, staff-to-child ratios, approved curriculum, and school readiness components. These bills would benefit all sectors of the early childhood education landscape in Texas, should they become law because the legislation requires a certain percentage of partnerships between school districts and Head Start or child care programs.

We urge all of our partners to get behind this bi-partisan legislative effort to increase the quality of pre-k in Texas. Please take this opportunity to send your Legislator an email, asking him or her to support Senate Bill 21 and House Bill 130.