Texas House Bill HB1312

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to placement of certain public school students in a disciplinary alternative education program.

Impact

The implementation of HB 1312 would directly influence how schools handle discipline for their youngest students. By explicitly preventing the removal of students under the age of seven to a DAEP, the bill asserts the importance of age-appropriate disciplinary measures. The intended outcome is to foster a more supportive educational environment for young learners, minimizing the negative repercussions of excessive disciplinary actions during formative years. This could also lead to a broader re-evaluation of disciplinary practices across schools in Texas.

Summary

House Bill 1312 seeks to amend the Education Code regarding the removal of certain public school students from class to a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP). Specifically, the bill stipulates that students younger than seven years of age may not be removed from their regular classroom settings and placed in such programs. This legislative change aims to reduce the instances of very young students facing disciplinary measures that might be deemed overly harsh or inappropriate for their developmental stage.

Contention

While the bill aims to protect vulnerable populations, it may face opposition from proponents of strict disciplinary measures who argue that certain behaviors warrant removal regardless of age. Critics might contend that the flexibility to discipline young students in a DAEP is necessary for maintaining order and safety in schools. Balancing the need for effective school discipline while safeguarding the rights and well-being of young children is likely to be a central point of debate among lawmakers, educators, and parents as the bill progresses.