Texas House Bill HB515

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

• Filed: 12/15/14

Caption

Relating to the notice to the parent or other person having lawful control of a public school student concerning the student's class performance.

Impact

The bill is expected to instigate changes in how school districts approach communication with parents. By legally mandating regular notifications, the bill aims to strengthen parental involvement in students' education. This policy not only encourages parents to engage with teachers and schools but also holds the districts accountable for providing timely and accurate information about student performance. If successfully implemented, HB 515 could lead to more proactive interventions to address academic challenges faced by students earlier in the school year.

Summary

House Bill 515 aims to enhance communication between public schools and the parents or guardians of students concerning academic performance. The legislation mandates that each school district's board of trustees adopt a policy that ensures parents receive written notices regarding their child's performance in each subject at least once every 12 weeks. Additionally, the bill stipulates that if a student's performance is consistently unsatisfactory in core subjects, parents must be informed at least once every three weeks. The intent is to keep families better informed about their children's educational progress, thus fostering a supportive environment for academic improvement.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB 515 may revolve around the responsibilities of school districts in implementing these notifications and the potential impact on teacher workload. Some educators might express concerns regarding the added administrative burden that regular notifications could impose, especially in larger districts with high student populations. Furthermore, the political and educational discourse could also touch upon the adequacy of existing communication practices and whether additional state mandates are necessary to ensure parental involvement and student success.