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Part of the Texas Education Agency’s “HB 3 in 30” series. This video focuses on changes made to prekindergarten by HB 3.

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics the committee took up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the hearing but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.

 

Early Education Allotment

  • HB 3 establishes “Early Education Allotment” (EEA), adding a 0.1 weight for a student who is educationally disadvantaged or Limited English Proficient (LEP).
  • Funds must be used to support early literacy and mathematics proficiency.
  • EEA is $613 per economically disadvantaged students and $613 per LEP student.
    • Students who are economically disadvantaged and LEP receive $1,232
  • Eligible pre-K students will continue to generate half-day ADA.
  • EEA funding may not be used for grades higher than 3rd

 

Full-Day Pre-K Requirements

  • HB 3 will require full-day, high-quality pre-k for eligible 4 year-olds. Requirements remain at half-day for 3 year-olds.
  • Eligibility requirements for students and guidelines for high quality pre-k have not changed.
  • Districts will be required to develop, implements, and make available to the public a Family Engagement Plan.
  • New data elements required by HB 3 to be reported in TSDS:
    • Full-day waiver indicator code.
    • Pre-K school type code.
    • Pre-K funding source code for EEA.
  • Districts must offer pre-k if they identify 15 or more eligible 4 year-olds.
  • Parents are not required to enroll children in pre-k.

 

Exemptions and State Waivers

  • Districts may request exemption in two limited circumstances:
    • The district would need to construct, repurpose, or lease a facility, or issue bonds for the construction or repurposing of a facility.
    • Implementing full-day pre-k would result in fewer eligible children enrolled in pre-k.
  • Exemptions will be given in year 1 if needed. After year 1, the district will have to show “good faith attempts” to comply with the new pre-k requirements.
  • Districts will still receive the EEA if they do not provide full-day pre-K.
  • Districts must consider a public-private partnership in order to receive an exemption.

 

Public-Private Partnerships

  • Districts have the choice to offer services directly through their own facilities or to use the services/facilities of a licensed 3rd
  • It is required for districts to solicit and consider at least one public-private partnership proposal under certain circumstances:
    • In order to receive an exemption.
    • Before construction, repurposing, or leasing of a classroom facility to provide pre-k classes.
  • Districts can partner with Head Start providers or with an Early Learning Center.
  • Early Learning Centers must meet at least one of the following:
    • Texas Rising Star Program with 3-star certification or higher.
    • Nationally accredited.
    • Texas School Ready Participant.
    • Meet requirements under Sec. 29.1532, Education Code.
  • Districts may braid different funding sources as long as they are meeting requirements.

 

Early Learning Progress Monitoring Tools

  • Districts can continue to use existing progress monitoring tools until the 20-21 school year.