Texas House Bill HB522

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

• Filed: 12/15/14

Caption

Relating to establishing a pilot program in designated public high schools in certain municipalities for placement of students in Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs as an alternative to placement in disciplinary or juvenile justice alternative education programs.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would amend Chapter 37 of the Education Code to incorporate new provisions that facilitate alternative disciplinary measures through the JROTC program. This initiative reflects an effort to redirect students from punitive measures to programs that promote civic engagement and leadership skills. The structured environment offered in JROTC may benefit students facing behavioral challenges by potentially improving their academic outcomes and reducing drop-out rates.

Summary

House Bill 522 aims to establish a pilot program in designated public high schools within certain municipalities to allow students to be placed in Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) programs as an alternative to placement in disciplinary or juvenile justice alternative education programs. The proposed program targets high schools located in municipalities with populations of at least 200,000, particularly those on international borders and with a significant number of young adults who have not graduated from high school. The bill assigns the Texas Education Agency the responsibility to designate specific schools to participate in the program and lay down criteria for successful implementation.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 522 include concerns about the appropriateness of placing students in military-related programs as a disciplinary measure, especially for younger individuals. Critics may argue that such placements could inappropriately militarize educational experiences and fail to address the underlying behavioral issues. Furthermore, questions have been raised about how the program will be monitored and evaluated to ensure that it positively influences student outcomes, particularly those associated with academic performance and conduct.