Senate Committees announced, 1/30/09

Texas Senate Committee appointments have been made. You can find out who will serve on all the Texas Senate Committees here.

Of particular interest to early education advocates, the Senate Education Committee appointments are as follows:

Senator Florence Shapiro (Chair)
Senator Dan Patrick (Vice Chair)
Senator Kip Averitt
Senator Wendy Davis
Senator Mario Gallegos Jr.
Senator Steve Ogden
Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Senator Royce West
Senator Tommy Williams

HB 130, TECEC PRIORITY BILL, relating to full-day high quality pre-k programs, Co-authors added 1/29/09

Co-authors added to HB 130!

The following Representatives have been added as Co-author's of HB 130:

Rep. Dwayne Bohac
Rep. Lon Burnam
Rep. Veronica Gonzales
Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer
Rep. Paula Pierson
Rep. Inocente Quintanilla
Rep. Patrick Rose
Rep. Michael Villarreal
Rep. Armando Walle


HB 130 is a TECEC PRIORITY BILL: Take Action on this important Legislation

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

HB 130, TECEC PRIORITY BILL, relating to full-day high quality pre-k programs, Joint Authors secured 1/27/09

*repost*
HB 130, TECEC PRIORITY BILL, relating to full-day high quality pre-k programs, Joint Authors secured 1/27/09

The following Representatives have been added as Joint Authors of House Bill 130:

Representative Rob Eissler
Representative Rafael Anchia
Representative Jim Pitts
Representative Senfronia Thompson

HB 130 is a TECEC PRIORITY BILL: Take Action on this important Legislation

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

SB 453, relating to ... grants to fund programs for...students assigned to disciplinary alternative education programs or...suspension, filed 1/12/09

SB 453, authored by Senator Royce West, amends the Texas Education Code to add Section 37.0083 authorizing the commissioner to award grants to school districts for prevention programs targeting high risk students. This section defines criteria for seeking and use of the funding by the districts.

Full Text: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/html/SB00453I.htm

SB 451, related to staff development requirements in public schools, filed 1/9/09

HB 451, authored by Senator Leticia Van de Putte, amends the Texas Education Code adding sections modifying existing training criteria and adding sections related to school district training requirements related to issues of conflict resolution and discipline of students with disabilities and targeting educators who work outside of the area of Special Education. Companion to HB 511 by Patrick.

Full Text: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/html/SB00451I.htm