Texas House Bill HB2926

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 3/10/11
• Refer: 3/17/11

Caption

Relating to reporting by school districts for purposes of the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) of data on students who drop out or otherwise leave public school.

Impact

The implementation of HB 2926 is expected to impact school district operations significantly, particularly in how they gather and report data for the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS). It aims to ensure that all districts adhere to a uniform reporting structure, making it easier to analyze trends and issue reports on student retention and dropout rates. The legislation may also facilitate better data management by requiring a verification process for certain categories, ensuring more reliable data reporting.

Summary

House Bill 2926 aims to amend the Education Code regarding the reporting practices of school districts concerning students who drop out or leave public school. The bill mandates that school districts utilize specific categories for reporting reasons for a student's departure from school, thus eliminating the use of subcategories. The categories defined by the bill include: completion of high school, completion of a GED, transfer to another educational setting, withdrawal by the district, dropout status, death of the student, and any other unspecified reason. This change is intended to standardize how schools record and report student departure data, promoting greater consistency across districts.

Sentiment

Generally, the sentiment around HB 2926 appears to be supportive among legislators focusing on educational accountability and data transparency. Proponents argue that the standardization of reporting will lead to improvements in understanding student needs and enhancing state education policies. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the feasibility of obtaining reliable verification for student categories, which could place additional operational burdens on school districts.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 2926 include the practicality of implementing the verification process specified in the bill. Critics express concerns about the resources required for districts to comply with the new reporting requirements and the potential for inaccuracies in categorizing student departures without adequate verification. Additionally, the inability to use subcategories may strip schools of nuanced understanding of dropout causes, posing challenges for addressing underlying issues affecting student retention.