82R4054 CAS-D
By: Walle H.B. No. 711
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report by the Texas Education Agency
regarding certain public school disciplinary placements.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 37.023 to read as follows:
Sec. 37.023. STUDY AND REPORT REGARDING DISCIPLINARY
PLACEMENTS. (a) In this section, a disciplinary placement includes:
(1) removal from class and placement in in-school
suspension under Section 37.002;
(2) suspension from school under Section 37.005;
(3) removal from class and placement in a disciplinary
alternative education program under Section 37.006;
(4) expulsion from school under Section 37.007; and
(5) placement in a juvenile justice alternative
education program under Section 37.011 following an expulsion from
school.
(b) The agency shall conduct a study of student disciplinary
placements made by school districts and open-enrollment charter
schools to determine:
(1) the academic progress made by those students; and
(2) the percentage of those students who are:
(A) members of a racial or ethnic minority group;
or
(B) eligible for a special education program
under Section 29.003.
(c) In determining the academic progress of students for
purposes of Subsection (b)(1), the agency shall consider, as
applicable:
(1) the results of assessment instruments
administered under Section 39.023;
(2) overall grade point average;
(3) class rank;
(4) four-, five-, and six-year high school graduation
rates;
(5) the percentage of students who have:
(A) obtained a high school equivalency
certificate;
(B) received a certificate of course work
completion; or
(C) received a high school diploma;
(6) the percentage of students who have completed each
of the following:
(A) the minimum high school program;
(B) the recommended high school program; and
(C) the advanced high school program;
(7) the percentage of students who have dropped out of
school; and
(8) any other indicator the agency determines to be
appropriate.
(d) The agency shall require each school district and
open-enrollment charter school to provide any information
necessary to conduct the study under this section. A district or
charter school shall provide the information in a manner that does
not provide personally identifiable information concerning a
student.
(e) In conducting the study under this section, the agency
may consult with a faculty or staff member of a public or private
institution of higher education who has expertise relevant to an
issue to be studied.
(f) Not later than December 1, 2012, the agency shall submit
to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house
of representatives, and the presiding officer of each legislative
standing committee with primary jurisdiction over primary and
secondary education a written report that contains:
(1) the results of the study under this section; and
(2) agency recommendations concerning statutory
changes necessary or appropriate for:
(A) reducing the number of students described by
Subsections (b)(2)(A) and (B) who are assigned by school districts
and open-enrollment charter schools to disciplinary placements;
and
(B) improving the academic progress, especially
the high school graduation rates, of those students.
(g) This section expires January 1, 2013.
SECTION 2. 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, 2011.