Relating to best practices for public school student dropout prevention and recovery.
Impact
If enacted, HB 2479 will amend Subchapter A of Chapter 7 of the Texas Education Code to include provisions for this assistance center. Its primary objectives include disseminating successful strategies and components of effective programs, conducting needs assessments, and sharing tools and resources with educators, thereby promoting better practices in dropout prevention and recovery. This could lead to more informed decision-making at the district and school levels regarding student retention strategies.
Summary
House Bill 2479 focuses on establishing best practices for preventing and recovering from student dropout in public schools across Texas. The bill mandates the creation of a dropout prevention assistance center that will work in conjunction with an existing online clearinghouse for best practices. This center will play a crucial role in identifying successful dropout prevention and recovery programs within school districts and charter schools, as well as collecting and analyzing relevant performance data to improve these initiatives.
Contention
Discussion surrounding the bill may center on the resource allocation for the establishment and ongoing operation of this dropout prevention assistance center. Some stakeholders may raise concerns about the effectiveness of applying best practices uniformly across diverse educational settings. Additionally, questions regarding the measurable impact of such programs on dropout rates could lead to debates on accountability and the role of state guidance versus local control in education policy.
Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to the health and safety of public school students and active shooter training for certain peace officers.
Relating to the protection of minors from harmful, deceptive, or unfair trade practices in connection with the use of certain digital services and electronic devices, including the use and transfer of electronic devices to students by a public school.