Texas Senate Bill SB90

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Filed: 11/10/08
• Out of Senate Committee: 3/9/09
• Voted on by Senate: 3/18/09
• Out of House Committee: 4/3/09
• Voted on by House: 4/22/09
• Governor Action: 5/5/09
• Enrolled: 4/22/09
• Passed: 5/5/09

Caption

Relating to adoption of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

Impact

By joining this compact, Texas will coordinate more effectively with other states to promote consistent educational standards for military children. This includes facilitating timely enrollment, ensuring course placements match their previous school experiences, and standardizing the acceptance of attendance requirements. The compact also mandates that educational records be shared uniformly between states to expedite the transition process, making it easier for children of military families to adapt to new educational environments with minimal disruption to their learning.

Summary

SB90 establishes Texas's participation in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The primary objective of this bill is to facilitate the educational transitions of children from military families who move frequently due to their parents' military service. The compact aims to eliminate barriers these children face when enrolling in new schools, coordinating their educational records, and ensuring they have equitable access to school activities and programs. The bill seeks to removed disadvantages arising from such transitions by streamlining the processes involved in their schooling.

Contention

Debate surrounding SB90 primarily focuses on the implications of creating standardized educational opportunities across state lines. Some advocates argue that this measure is crucial for ensuring that military children receive the uninterrupted education they deserve despite the frequent moves that accompany military life. However, there are concerns from certain quarters about the potential loss of local control over education policies and the unique needs of students in different communities. The provisions of the compact emphasize the need for cooperation between state education systems and military installations, which raises questions about the extent of influence that non-educational entities should have on public school operations.