KINDERGARTEN AND PREKINDERGARTEN GRANTS.

(a) From amounts appropriated for the purposes of this section, the commissioner may make grants to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to implement or expand kindergarten and prekindergarten programs by:

(1) operating an existing half-day kindergarten or prekindergarten program on a full-day basis; or

(2) implementing a prekindergarten program at a campus that does not have a prekindergarten program.

(b) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may use funds received under this section to employ teachers and other personnel for a kindergarten or prekindergarten program and acquire curriculum materials or equipment, including computers, for use in kindergarten and prekindergarten programs.

(c) To be eligible for a grant under this section, a school district or open-enrollment charter school must apply to the commissioner in the manner and within the time prescribed by the commissioner.

(d) In awarding grants under this section, the commissioner shall give priority to districts and open-enrollment charter schools in which the level of performance of students on the assessment instruments administered under Section 39.023 to students in grade three is substantially below the average level of performance on those assessment instruments for all school districts in the state.

(e) The commissioner may adopt rules to administer this section.

(f) Notwithstanding Section 7.056(e)(3)(I), the commissioner may waive a requirement prescribed by this subchapter to the extent necessary to implement a grant awarded under this section or Section 29.156.

(g) From amounts appropriated for the purposes of this subsection, the commissioner may also provide for:

(1) coordinating early childhood care and education programs;

(2) developing and disseminating for programs described by Subdivision (1) prekindergarten instructional materials and school-readiness information for parents; and

(3) developing standards for model early childhood care and education coordination.

(h) The model program standards developed under Subsection (g) must focus on pre-literacy skills, including language acquisition, vocabulary development, and phonological awareness.

(i) In carrying out the purposes of Subsection (g), a school district or open-enrollment charter school may use funds granted to the district or school under this subsection in contracting with another entity, including a private entity.

(j) If a school district or open-enrollment charter school returns to the commissioner funds granted under this section, the commissioner may grant those funds to another entity, including a private entity, for the purposes of Subsection (g).