The bill introduced by Representative Buckley amends the Education Code in Texas to enhance public education and school finance, with a focus on improving funding structures, teacher support, and educational opportunities for students, particularly those with disabilities. Key provisions include adjustments to funding for open-enrollment charter schools, ensuring they receive equivalent funding to school districts, and establishing a grant program to support local teacher designation systems. The bill also expands prekindergarten eligibility to children as young as three years old and introduces new requirements for charter holders regarding financial benefits from real estate transactions. Additionally, it enhances support for underperforming schools by allowing resource campuses to apply for designation with a lower performance rating threshold and establishing a high school advising program.

Further amendments focus on special education services, including the introduction of a new funding structure for special education programs, which mandates that at least 55% of allocated funds be used for these services. The bill also establishes a $1,000 allotment for each child undergoing a full evaluation for special education and ensures funding for regional programs for the deaf. It emphasizes compliance with federal and state laws, enhances educator preparation programs, and introduces mentorship initiatives for new teachers. Overall, the legislation aims to improve educational outcomes, support for students with disabilities, and the recruitment and retention of quality educators in Texas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 12.106, Education Code 12.156, Education Code 21.3521, Education Code 29.153, Education Code 29.934, Education Code 45.105, Education Code 48.005, Education Code 48.0051, Education Code 48.051, Education Code 48.101, Education Code 48.104, Education Code 48.112, Education Code 48.2543, Education Code 48.257, Education Code 48.283, Education Code 19.007, Education Code 21.001, Education Code 21.041, Subchapter B, Chapter , Education Code 2001.0045, Education Code 21.0443, Education Code 21.049, Education Code 21.057, Education Code 21.402, Education Code 21.4552, Education Code 21.4553, Education Code 29.202, Education Code 28.002, Government Code 825.4092, Education Code 7.021, Education Code 7.055, Education Code 8.051, Education Code 29.001, Education Code 29.003, Education Code 29.005, Education Code 29.0051, Education Code 29.006, Education Code 29.008, Education Code 29.009, Education Code 29.010, Education Code 29.012, Education Code 154.027, Education Code 29.014, Education Code 29.0162, Education Code 29.018, Education Code 29.020, Education Code 29.022, Education Code 29.041, Education Code 29.042, Education Code 29.045, Education Code 29.046, Education Code 29.047, Education Code 29.048, Education Code 29.049, Education Code 29.301, Education Code 29.304, Education Code 29.310, Education Code 29.313, Education Code 29.314, Education Code 29.315, Education Code 29.316, Education Code 30.002, Education Code 30.003, Education Code 30.004, Education Code 30.005, Education Code 30.081, Education Code 30.083, Education Code 30.021, Education Code 37.146, Education Code 48.009, Subchapter A, Chapter , Education Code 48.102, Education Code 48.102, Education Code 48.103, Education Code 48.110, Education Code 48.151, Education Code 48.265, Education Code 48.279 (Education Code 8, Education Code 37, Education Code 19, Education Code 48, Education Code 30, Subchapter A, Chapter , Education Code 48, Government Code 825, Education Code 12, Education Code 29, Education Code 21, Education Code 28, Education Code 7, Subchapter B, Chapter , Education Code 2001, Education Code 45, Education Code 154)