AUSTIN – Full day pre-kindergarten instruction would become available for more at-risk 4 year olds under a bill tentatively approved by the House today.

A new grant program would allow public-private partnerships and help school districts such as Fort Worth's, which already have successful pre-K programs but soon will lose state start-up funding.

"We are investing in the future of this state," said Rep. Diane Patrick, R-Arlington, the bill's author. "Investing in pre-K has a greater return than any of the other educational investments we are making."

The bill advanced on a vote of 109-32, with all the "nays" cast by Republicans. It could receive final House approval as early as tomorrow.

New pre-K grants for local school districts that the bill calls for haven't been funded in the two year budget. However, Patrick said she has high hopes they will be.

Although an earlier version would have cost $390 million over two years, Patrick said she anticipates House-Senate budget negotiators will spring for "$25 million to $50 million, something in that vicinity."

She said the state should build on pre-K start up grants that the Texas Education Agency began to distribute nine years ago. TEA is bumping some programs deemed successful, as measured by third graders' results on TAKS tests, she said.

Also, most current programs are only half-day, which is inconvenient for working parents and limits their reach to youngsters in need, bill supporters said.

Several conservatives endorsed the program.

"We're reaching out to the most vulnerable of our population, trying to give them a hand up, not a handout," said Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, who said he recently toured a pre-K program near Fort Hood and was greatly impressed.

Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Parker, though, warned that the bill could "set the state up for a much larger expenditure in the future."

Like existing pre-K grants, the new ones would target foster children, military children and children who are homeless, educationally disadvantaged or can speak only a limited amount of English.

According to a House Research Organization bill analysis, children who attend pre-kindergarten are 44 percent less likely to become dropouts.

"For every dollar we spend on pre-kindergarten, we save $8," said Rep. Helen Giddings, D-Dallas, a bill supporter.

Giddings said the children receiving help turn out to be less likely to need remedial instruction – and less likely to wind up in prison.

Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, a former member of the Dallas school board, said Patrick's bill would set higher standards for programs receiving the grants.

Under the program, classes could be no larger than 22 students. Classes would have certified teachers. There would have to be a certified teacher or teacher aide for each 11 students.

"We are very much emphasizing high quality pre-K programs," Patrick said.

Full day pre-kindergarten instruction: HB 130, SB 21