Texas Senate Bill SB520

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

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.

Impact

The establishment of the Texas Opportunity School District represents a significant shift in how the state addresses low-performing schools. The bill allows the state to intervene more directly by transferring campuses to this district, which is expected to implement targeted reforms aimed at improving academic performance. Schools may be reconstituted, managed differently, or even closed based on performance reviews conducted by the state, potentially impacting thousands of students and the overall circulation of educational resources in the state.

Summary

Senate Bill 520, known as the Low Performing Campus Intervention Act, aims to enhance educational support and accountability for public school campuses that demonstrate unacceptable performance levels. The bill introduces the Texas Opportunity School District, which will have the authority to manage and educate students from campuses identified as underperforming. This new district will be able to receive funding, operate with similar powers as an independent school district, and is specifically designed to intervene in low-performing schools without imposing taxes but can seek federal and grant funding.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB520 involve the mechanisms of intervention and the potential consequences for students and staff at affected campuses. Critics argue that the bill could lead to instability within schools, especially for students who may be transferred away from their existing school communities. Furthermore, there are concerns that the centralized control of underperforming schools may overlook local needs and unique challenges that such schools face, paving the way for a one-size-fits-all approach to education reform.