Texas House Bill HB3439

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to a school district contract to partner with an open-enrollment charter school to operate a district campus.

Impact

The bill modifies existing education law by allowing charter schools to operate district campuses under specific conditions, including a history of satisfactory performance ratings. This would directly affect how school districts manage underperforming campuses by potentially exempting them from sanctions for a limited time while under the charter school's management. The statutory requirements ensure that contracts include provisions for student enrollment eligibility, promoting stability for students during the transition to a new management structure.

Summary

House Bill 3439 aims to establish a framework for school districts in Texas to enter into contracts with open-enrollment charter schools for the operation of district campuses. The bill introduces provisions that allow a school district to collaborate with a charter school, which could potentially improve educational outcomes by utilizing the charter school's expertise in management and instruction. Such collaborations would also be eligible for additional funding based on the student attendance at these campuses, making financial support contingent upon successful performance ratings.

Sentiment

Support for HB 3439 appears to stem from a belief in the benefits of charter school management, particularly in improving educational outcomes for struggling campuses. Advocates argue that the bill provides necessary flexibility and resources for school districts by leveraging successful charter practices. Conversely, some opposition arises from concerns about the adequacy of oversight and the implications of prioritizing charter schools over traditional public education—suggesting a belief that this could undermine local control and accountability in school governance.

Contention

Notable points of contention include questions about the financial implications of expanding charter school operations, particularly concerning funding equity between traditional public schools and charter schools. Critics fear that incentivizing partnerships with charter schools may lead to a diversion of resources away from public education. Additionally, there are worries about the consistency of education quality when management is outsourced to charter entities, raising concerns about maintaining educational standards across different types of schools within the same district.