Texas Senate Bill SB1484

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/4/11
• Introduced: 3/10/11
• Voted on by Senate: 4/14/11
• Refer: 3/22/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/17/11
• Report Pass: 4/4/11
• Voted on by House: 5/23/11
• Engrossed: 4/14/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 4/29/11
• Report Pass: 5/16/11
• Enrolled: 5/23/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to authorizing open-enrollment charter schools to be awarded academic distinction designations.

Impact

The implications of SB1484 on state laws are significant, particularly in the realm of educational standards and accountability. By incorporating open-enrollment charter schools into the existing framework for academic distinctions previously reserved for traditional school districts, the bill aims to ensure that these charter schools adhere to similar performance metrics. This change is expected to improve the overall quality of education across both public and charter schools by holding them to comparable standards.

Summary

SB1484 is a legislative measure aimed at modifying the framework under which open-enrollment charter schools can receive academic distinction designations in the state of Texas. The bill outlines the conditions that merit these distinctions, tying them to acceptable performance levels as established in Section 39.054 of the Education Code. Specifically, it prohibits charter schools evaluated under alternative education accountability procedures from being awarded such distinctions, thereby mandating a more standardized evaluation process for these institutions.

Contention

Debate around SB1484 may arise from concerns regarding the equity of treatment between traditional public schools and charter schools. Proponents argue that holding all types of schools to the same standards is essential for maintaining educational quality across the board. Critics, however, might maintain that charter schools should not be subjected to the same restrictions and evaluation methods, especially if their operational model and mission differ significantly from traditional schools. This could lead to broader discussions on the role and effectiveness of charter schools within the state's educational landscape.