HBA-MPM H.B. 1134 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1134
By: Dutton
Public Education
3/20/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law prohibits school districts from enrolling more than 22 students
in a kindergarten or first, second, third, or fourth grade class.  Recent
research has shown that students have fewer distractions in smaller
classes, and consequently, that teachers spend less time on discipline
problems. Additionally, teachers are able to give students more individual
attention and determine students' individual needs, and spend more time
with students needing assistance.  H.B. 1134 reduces class size to 10
students in a kindergarten or first, second, third, or fourth grade class. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 25.112, Education Code, to prohibit a school
district from enrolling more than 10 students, rather than more than 22
students, in a kindergarten, first, second or third grade class; more than
15 students, rather than 22 students, in a fourth grade class; and more
than 15 students in a fifth or sixth grade class.  Redesignates existing
Subdivisions (b)-(d) to Subdivisions (c)-(e), respectively.  Makes
conforming and nonsubstantive changes.  

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Makes this Act prospective to the 2001-2002 school year.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.