Certain school districts must offer a voluntary preschool program for emergent bilingual children, and the program must meet agency standards and stay within an 18-to-1 student-teacher ratio.
Sec. 29.060. PRESCHOOL, SUMMER SCHOOL, AND EXTENDED TIME PROGRAMS. (a) Each school district that is required to offer a bilingual education or special language program shall offer a voluntary program for emergent bilingual children who will be eligible for admission to kindergarten or the first grade at the beginning of the next school year. A school that operates on a system permitted by this code other than a semester system shall offer 120 hours of instruction on a schedule the board of trustees of the district establishes. A school that operates on a semester system shall offer the program: (1) during the period school is recessed for the summer; and (2) for one-half day for eight weeks or on a similar schedule approved by the board of trustees. (b) Enrollment of a child in the program is optional with the parent of the child. (c) The program must be an intensive bilingual education or special language program that meets standards established by the agency. The student/teacher ratio for the program may not exceed 18/1. (d) A school district may establish on a full- or part-time basis other summer school, extended day, or extended week bilingual education or special language programs for emergent bilingual students and may join with other districts in establishing the programs. (e) The programs required or authorized by this section may not be a substitute for programs required to be provided during the regular school year. (f) The legislature may appropriate money from the foundation school fund for support of a program under Subsection (a). Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995. Amended by: Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 973 (S.B. 2066), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2021.