Relating to the placement of a student who is a moderate or high risk sex offender in a juvenile justice alternative education program or a disciplinary alternative education program with certain monitoring requirements.
Impact
This bill potentially creates a more structured framework for the handling of students with specific risk assessments related to sexual offenses. By formalizing the roles of educational institutions and juvenile boards, it aims to enhance student safety and streamline processes for student placements within these educational programs. The requirement for schools to provide monitoring ensures that students are supervised appropriately, which could serve to protect the welfare of other students and maintain a secure educational setting.
Summary
House Bill 3501 seeks to address the placement of students who are categorized as moderate or high-risk sex offenders within educational settings. The legislation amendments to the Education Code focus on the operation of juvenile justice alternative education programs and disciplinary alternative education programs. It mandates that school districts collaborate with juvenile boards to establish clear responsibilities and guidelines for the placement of such students, ensuring the effective oversight and management of their educational environments.
Contention
However, concerns may arise regarding the fairness and efficacy of classifying students solely based on risk assessments. Critics might argue that such measures could stigmatize students, hinder their educational opportunities, and disproportionately impact certain demographics. Additionally, there may be debates over the adequacy of supervision measures and whether they truly prevent potential risks or contribute to positive outcomes for affected students.
Relating to procedures for the suspension, expulsion, or placement in a disciplinary alternative education program or juvenile justice alternative education program of a public school student enrolled in a school district.
Relating to a public school student's transition from an alternative education program to a regular educational environment, including parental rights related to that transition, and the admission of certain students with a criminal or disciplinary history.
Relating to a psychological assessment of homicidal risk of a public school student following the student's expulsion or placement in a disciplinary alternative education program for certain conduct.
Relating to a public school student's transition from an alternative education program to a regular classroom and the admission of certain students with a criminal or disciplinary history.
Relating to procedures for the alternative assessment or exemption from assessment of certain public school students who receive special education services and alternative accountability plans for certain campuses serving students who receive special education services.
Relating to establishing a program allowing certain students who are educationally disadvantaged, have a disability, or failed certain assessment instruments to use state money or money the state receives for the purpose from gifts and non-federal grants to pursue certain educational alternatives to public schools.
Relating to the establishment of the Education Savings Account Program to allow certain children to use public money to pursue educational alternatives to public schools and an insurance premium tax credit for contributions made for purposes of that program.