The bill, S.B. No. 175, aims to expand access to free prekindergarten education for children in Texas. It amends the Education Code to allow any child who is at least three years old to enroll in prekindergarten classes, removing the previous requirement that a district must identify at least 15 eligible children to offer such classes. Additionally, it specifies that school districts cannot charge tuition for prekindergarten classes. The bill also modifies provisions regarding student enrollment options, allowing parents or guardians to elect for their children to repeat prekindergarten or kindergarten based on eligibility criteria.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the production of annual reports on early education by the agency, detailing various metrics such as the number of students enrolled in prekindergarten and their performance on assessments. It also introduces new definitions for calculating average daily attendance specifically for prekindergarten programs, ensuring that districts can receive funding based on the instructional time provided. The bill repeals certain sections of the Education Code that previously outlined eligibility criteria for prekindergarten enrollment, streamlining the process. The provisions of this act are set to take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 28.02124, Education Code 29.1543, Education Code 48.005, Education Code 29.153 (Education Code 48, Education Code 29, Education Code 28)