Texas House Bill HB946

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the reporting of information by a school district relating to certain offenses committed by certain students.

Impact

The implementation of HB 946 is expected to impact state education laws by establishing formalized mechanisms for monitoring and reporting instances of minor student offenses. The bill emphasizes the need for detailed data collection on these incidents, including demographic information about the involved students. This could lead to increased scrutiny of student conduct and foster an environment where schools are more accountable for the behaviors and disciplinary measures related to their students.

Summary

House Bill 946 introduces new reporting requirements for school districts concerning certain offenses committed by students under the age of 12. Specifically, the bill mandates that schools report annually to the commissioner regarding non-violent offenses that occur during school hours on school property. This includes incidents where students receive a citation for behavior that does not involve weapons, is playful, and occurs between two students. The reporting is aimed at improving tracking and understanding of student behavior and related incidents in an educational environment.

Contention

While HB 946 aims to improve the management of student conduct, there may be concerns regarding privacy and the potential stigmatization of young students. Critics might argue that mandatory reporting could disproportionately affect certain demographics and create unnecessary labels for students at such a young age. Moreover, the bill's definition of reportable offenses must balance the need for safety and accountability with the understanding that younger students are often engaged in playful interactions that may not require formal disciplinary action.

Notable_points

The bill stipulates that the offenses reported must be non-violent and playful in nature, suggesting a thoughtful approach to managing how student behaviors are classified. By concentrating on minor infractions rather than severe disciplinary issues, the bill aims to promote a more nuanced understanding of student behavior. Additionally, it places the onus on school districts to document not only the nature of the incidents but also the demographic details of the students involved, which may help in analyzing trends and formulating better educational policies.