Relating to state interventions and sanctions against public school campuses with unacceptable performance and the establishment of the Texas Achievement School District for educating students at certain low-performing campuses.
Impact
The passage of SB1718 is expected to significantly alter the dynamics of how struggling schools are managed in Texas. By allowing for the direct oversight of low-performing schools, the bill seeks to facilitate targeted improvements through specialized governance and focused resources. The achievement school district will operate with the same authority as a traditional school district, controlling funding and staff while also being subject to federal and state education laws. However, it cannot impose taxes, focusing instead on seeking federal grants and other forms of funding to support its operations.
Summary
SB1718 is a legislative measure aimed at addressing the challenges of low-performing public school campuses in Texas. It establishes the Texas Achievement School District, a specialized educational district created for the purpose of reforming and improving campuses that demonstrate persistent underperformance. The bill allows for state intervention in these schools after they have been identified as unacceptable for two consecutive years. The provisions outlined in the bill grant the Commissioner of Education authority to remove such schools from their existing districts and place them under the jurisdiction of the new achievement school district.
Conclusion
Overall, SB1718 represents a significant shift in educational policy aimed at improving student outcomes in Texas's underperforming schools. Its long-term success will hinge on the implementation of its provisions and the degree to which it can foster meaningful improvements without alienating the local communities those schools serve.
Contention
Notably, the bill has sparked discussions regarding the implications of state intervention in local educational governance. Proponents argue that such drastic measures are necessary to revitalize failing schools and ensure students receive a quality education. Critics, however, voice concerns about the potential for diminishing local control and question the effectiveness of transferring campuses to this new structure. Additionally, there may be tension regarding the qualifications and hiring practices for staff once schools are moved under the achievement school district's jurisdiction, potentially impacting existing educators and community engagement.
Relating to public school accountability, including the assessment of academic performance, and district and campus performance standards and sanctions.
Relating to an indicator of achievement for evaluating the performance of public elementary, middle, and junior high school campuses and districts under the public school accountability system.
Relating to accelerated instruction provided for public school students who fail to achieve satisfactory performance on certain assessment instruments, indicators under the public school accountability system, and performance standards in public schools.
Relating to the use of opioid antagonists on the campuses of public and private schools and institutions of higher education and at or in transit to or from off-campus school events.
Relating to the administration of certain assessment instruments, the accountability rating system for assessing campus and district performance, public school career and technology education programs, and an extracurricular and cocurricular allotment under the Foundation School Program.
Relating to the establishment of a grant program for school districts or open-enrollment charter school campuses that are designated as full-service community schools.
Relating to the establishment of a grant program for school districts or open-enrollment charter school campuses that are designated as full-service community schools.
Relating to state interventions and sanctions against public school campuses with unacceptable performance and the establishment of the Texas Achievement School District for educating students at certain low-performing campuses.
Relating to state interventions and sanctions against public school campuses with unacceptable performance and the establishment of the Texas Opportunity School District for educating students at certain low-performing campuses.
Relating to state interventions and sanctions against public school campuses with unacceptable performance and the establishment of the Texas Achievement School District for educating students at certain low-performing campuses.
Relating to state interventions and sanctions against public school campuses with unacceptable performance and the establishment of the Texas Opportunity School District for educating students at certain low-performing campuses.
Relating to state interventions and sanctions against public school campuses with unacceptable performance and the establishment of the Texas Opportunity School District.
Relating to state interventions and sanctions against public school campuses with unacceptable performance and the establishment of the Texas Opportunity School District.