Texas House Bill HB1042

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to student access to public school instructional materials and technology.

Impact

With the implementation of HB1042, school districts are required to document all parental requests to take home instructional materials that are denied. This will ensure transparency and accountability, as schools must provide the reasons for any denial to parents and report these requests to the state agency annually. The bill aims to address barriers to educational access and hold school districts accountable for ensuring that students have the necessary resources for their home study.

Summary

House Bill 1042 focuses on enhancing student access to instructional materials and technology within public schools in Texas. The bill amends provisions in Section 26.006 of the Education Code to ensure that parents can request to take home any instructional materials that their children use in school, thus providing an opportunity for increased learning outside of classroom hours. The legislation emphasizes that if a student requires printed instructional materials due to a lack of technology access at home, schools must accommodate this need, thereby promoting equity in educational resources.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB1042 appears to be largely supportive, as it seeks to empower parents and enhance student learning. Proponents of the bill argue that increasing access to instructional materials is essential for fostering learning environments both in school and at home. However, there could be concerns regarding the implementation and whether schools can effectively manage and report these requests without additional strain on their resources.

Contention

While the bill is generally well-received, notable points of contention could arise regarding how schools handle requests for materials, especially in districts where resources are already strained. Questions may also emerge around the equity of access to technology and printed materials, particularly in areas where families may not have the same level of access to educational resources. The requirement for accountability in reporting denied requests could potentially place a burden on school administrations, leading to debates on the feasibility of the proposed measures.