House Bill No. 3297 proposes the establishment of the Texas Prekindergarten Fund, which will be a dedicated account within the general revenue fund aimed at supporting public school prekindergarten education. The fund will consist of various sources of revenue, including appropriations, dedicated funds, interest earnings, and donations. The bill outlines specific uses for the fund, such as expanding access to high-quality prekindergarten programs, providing financial assistance to school districts and charter schools, supporting teacher professional development, and enhancing facilities and resources for prekindergarten programs.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Texas Education Agency allocate funds to school districts and charter schools based on factors such as the percentage of educationally disadvantaged students, geographic and demographic needs, and compliance with high-quality prekindergarten standards. Priority will be given to districts serving low-income families, rural communities, and those demonstrating high performance in early childhood education outcomes. The agency is also required to submit an annual report to the governor and legislature detailing fund distribution, the impact of funded programs on student performance, and recommendations for future actions. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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