Texas House Bill HB2183

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to school district and open-enrollment charter school reporting of certain releases of a student to the student's parent after school-initiated communication.

Impact

The legislation introduces greater transparency regarding how schools handle student releases after disciplinary actions or behavioral incidents. By mandating detailed reporting on each incident, the bill could significantly impact how schools manage communication with parents and maintain records of student interactions. It is expected to foster accountability among educational institutions and assure parents that there are structured protocols when their child is released from school early.

Summary

House Bill 2183 aims to enhance the reporting requirements for school districts and open-enrollment charter schools concerning the release of students to their parents after the school initiates communication. Under the amended Education Code, if a student is released before the end of the instructional day due to disciplinary or behavioral considerations, the school must provide a detailed report to the state education agency within three instructional days. This report must include various details about the student, such as their race, socioeconomic status, and the specific reasons behind the school's actions.

Conclusion

Overall, while House Bill 2183 strives to improve communication between schools and parents and increase the accountability of educational institutions, it also poses logistical challenges and raises concerns about student privacy and administrative burdens that need to be addressed. The balance between transparency and confidentiality will be a critical point of focus as the bill moves forward.

Contention

However, concerns have been raised about the practicality and implications of this requirement. Some educators and administrators may find the reporting burdensome, particularly if they perceive it as an additional layer of bureaucracy. Moreover, there could be apprehensions surrounding student privacy, as detailed reports may inadvertently lead to sensitive information being disclosed, despite efforts to maintain confidentiality as required by federal laws such as FERPA.