Texas House Bill HB552

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/22/09

Caption

Relating to the provision of competitive grants to fund programs for certain public school students assigned to disciplinary alternative education programs or in-school suspension.

Impact

If enacted, HB552 would amend the Education Code by adding a new section that outlines the framework for awarding grants which would be appropriated for use by school districts. It emphasizes the creation of case management systems specifically for students in grades 6 through 12 who are in disciplinary programs or in-school suspension. This could substantially impact how schools manage at-risk students, providing them with customized support rather than standardized discipline that may not address their individual needs.

Summary

House Bill 552 aims to provide competitive grants for public school districts in Texas to develop and implement programs targeting certain students assigned to disciplinary alternative education programs or in-school suspension. The bill is specifically focused on supporting at-risk students, those who are identified as being at risk of dropping out of school, and provides a framework for schools to address the needs of these students through various interventions. The primary goal of the bill is to reduce youth violence, drug abuse, and delinquency by implementing targeted prevention programs and behavior management systems.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding the allocation of funds and whether the programs developed can effectively reduce the issues they target. Some stakeholders may question the effectiveness of the programs funded through these grants and whether they adequately address the complexities of student behavior. Furthermore, there may be concerns regarding the administrative workload placed on schools to apply for and manage these grants, including ensuring compliance with the requirements set forth in the bill.