Relating to state interventions and sanctions against public school campuses with unacceptable performance and the establishment of the Texas Opportunity School District for educating students at certain low-performing campuses.
Impact
The establishment of the Texas Opportunity School District represents a significant shift in how the state addresses low-performing schools. The bill allows the state to intervene more directly by transferring campuses to this district, which is expected to implement targeted reforms aimed at improving academic performance. Schools may be reconstituted, managed differently, or even closed based on performance reviews conducted by the state, potentially impacting thousands of students and the overall circulation of educational resources in the state.
Summary
Senate Bill 520, known as the Low Performing Campus Intervention Act, aims to enhance educational support and accountability for public school campuses that demonstrate unacceptable performance levels. The bill introduces the Texas Opportunity School District, which will have the authority to manage and educate students from campuses identified as underperforming. This new district will be able to receive funding, operate with similar powers as an independent school district, and is specifically designed to intervene in low-performing schools without imposing taxes but can seek federal and grant funding.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding SB520 involve the mechanisms of intervention and the potential consequences for students and staff at affected campuses. Critics argue that the bill could lead to instability within schools, especially for students who may be transferred away from their existing school communities. Furthermore, there are concerns that the centralized control of underperforming schools may overlook local needs and unique challenges that such schools face, paving the way for a one-size-fits-all approach to education reform.
Similar
Relating to state interventions and sanctions against public school campuses with unacceptable performance and the establishment of the Texas Opportunity School District.
Relating to public school accountability, including the assessment of academic performance, and district and campus performance standards and sanctions.
Relating to accelerated instruction provided for public school students who fail to achieve satisfactory performance on certain assessment instruments, indicators under the public school accountability system, and performance standards in public schools.
Relating to the use of opioid antagonists on the campuses of public and private schools and institutions of higher education and at or in transit to or from off-campus school events.
Relating to the establishment of a grant program for school districts or open-enrollment charter school campuses that are designated as full-service community schools.
Relating to the establishment of a grant program for school districts or open-enrollment charter school campuses that are designated as full-service community schools.
Relating to the establishment of a grant program for school districts or open-enrollment charter school campuses that are designated as full-service community schools.
Relating to an indicator of achievement for evaluating the performance of public elementary, middle, and junior high school campuses and districts under the public school accountability system.
Relating to state interventions and sanctions against public school campuses with unacceptable performance and the establishment of the Texas Opportunity School District.
Relating to state interventions and sanctions against public school campuses with unacceptable performance and the establishment of the Texas Opportunity School District.
Relating to state interventions and sanctions against public school campuses with unacceptable performance and the establishment of the Texas Opportunity School District for educating students at certain low-performing campuses.
Relating to the quality and accessibility of public school career and technical education programs and to assistance to students concerning postsecondary education and training.
Relating to the transfer of functions relating to the economic regulation of water and sewer service from the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Office of Public Utility Counsel to the Water Public Utility Commission and the Office of Water Public Utility Counsel; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to dyslexia screening and testing in public schools, the employment of dyslexia specialists by regional education service centers, the development of a list of training opportunities for educators regarding dyslexia, and transition planning for students enrolled in a special education program.