81R1746 CAE-D
By: Allen H.B. No. 626
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an educational involvement agreement setting forth the
respective responsibilities of students, parents, teachers, and
principals in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 26, Education Code, is amended by adding
Section 26.014 to read as follows:
Sec. 26.014. EDUCATIONAL INVOLVEMENT AGREEMENT. (a) The
agency shall adopt an educational involvement agreement form for
use by school districts to be signed by a student, the student's
parent, each of the student's teachers, and the principal of the
student's school. The agreement must state the respective
responsibilities of the student, parent, teacher, and principal. A
school district shall provide the agreement to each individual who
is required to sign the agreement not later than the 14th day after
the first day of instruction for a school year or the 14th day after
the date a student enrolls in the school, as applicable. A school
district must provide a parent with a reasonable opportunity to
sign the agreement.
(b) The educational involvement agreement must include
descriptions of:
(1) the parent's responsibilities regarding the
student's education, which may include:
(A) reading to the student, if appropriate for
the student's grade or reading level;
(B) reviewing and checking the student's
homework; and
(C) contributing at least five hours of the
parent's time to the school each school year by:
(i) attending school-related activities;
(ii) attending parent-teacher association
meetings;
(iii) attending parent-teacher conferences;
(iv) volunteering at the school; or
(v) chaperoning school-sponsored events;
(2) the responsibility of a student to:
(A) read each day before or after school, if
appropriate for the student's grade or reading level;
(B) use school equipment and property in a safe,
appropriate manner;
(C) follow the instructions of school staff;
(D) complete and submit homework in a timely
manner; and
(E) act in a respectful manner; and
(3) the responsibility of each teacher and principal
to:
(A) provide each student with proper
instruction, supervision, and interaction;
(B) maximize the educational and social
experience of each student;
(C) perform professional responsibilities in a
manner that is in the best interest of each student; and
(D) be available to parents to discuss concerns.
(c) A school district may revise the educational
involvement agreement form adopted by the agency to include
information in addition to the information required under this
section.
(d) The educational involvement agreement provided to a
student's parent may be accompanied by information regarding:
(1) the manner in which a parent may contact the
student's teacher or principal;
(2) the curriculum for each course in which the
student is enrolled or standards for the student's grade level,
including a calendar that indicates the dates that assessment
instruments will be administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39,
and the due dates of significant projects, if those dates are known
at the time the information is provided to the parent;
(3) homework and grading policies;
(4) directions for locating resource material for the
courses in which the student is enrolled or for the student's grade
level, as applicable;
(5) methods for assisting the student with school work
at home;
(6) dates of scheduled conferences between teachers or
administrators and the parent;
(7) details on how reports of the student's progress
will be sent to the parent and how a parent may request a progress
report;
(8) classroom rules and policies;
(9) dress code;
(10) the availability of assistance to a parent of
limited English proficiency;
(11) information on free and reduced-price meals; and
(12) opportunities for parents to become involved in
the student's education or volunteer at the school.
(e) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to
implement this section.
SECTION 2. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective
date of this Act, the Texas Education Agency shall adopt an
educational involvement agreement form for use by school districts
as required by Section 26.014, Education Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Each school district shall use the educational
involvement agreement form in the manner required by Section
26.014, Education Code, as added by this Act, beginning with the
2010-2011 school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.