Texas Senate Bill SB1979

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to reporting and disseminating information regarding public school disciplinary actions.

Impact

The passage of SB1979 is poised to significantly alter how disciplinary actions are recorded and perceived within the public education system. By requiring schools to provide detailed disaggregated data, the bill promotes a focus on equity in disciplinary measures. This change is anticipated to hold schools accountable for their disciplinary practices, potentially leading to reforms that address disparities that may currently exist. Educators and school administrations will need to adapt to these new reporting requirements, which could place additional administrative burdens on them but also foster a more equitable environment for students.

Summary

Senate Bill 1979 aims to enhance the transparency and accountability of public school disciplinary actions in Texas. The bill mandates that school districts report detailed information regarding student suspensions, expulsions, and placements in disciplinary alternative education programs. This reporting is intended to create a clearer picture of disciplinary practices and ensure that they are consistent with established guidelines. The bill specifically seeks to gather data disaggregated by various demographic factors such as race, gender, and age, as well as the status of students in special education programs or those covered by rehabilitation acts. This is designed to aid in analyzing the impact of disciplinary actions across different populations within schools.

Contention

While the bill is likely to garner support from advocates who champion educational equity and transparency, it may face pushback from some school districts concerned about the implications of increased scrutiny. There may be concerns regarding privacy and the administrative feasibility of gathering and reporting the required data. Additionally, discussions may arise regarding how this transparency might lead to punitive outcomes for schools already struggling with discipline issues, thus raising questions about the balance between accountability and the administrative workload placed on educational institutions.