Relating to state interventions and sanctions against public school campuses with unacceptable performance and the establishment of the Texas Opportunity School District.
Impact
The introduction of the Texas Opportunity School District is likely to have far-reaching implications on how public education is administered in the state, especially regarding struggling schools. In essence, it reverses the trend of granting local school districts exclusive control over campuses by centralizing authority at the state level for persistent underperformance. Supporters argue that this bill will result in more effective management and increased accountability in education, directing resources and support more efficaciously towards the students in need.
Summary
SB895 establishes the Texas Opportunity School District, aimed at intervening in underperforming public school campuses across Texas. This bill allows state authorities to transfer campuses identified as unacceptable in terms of performance to a different management structure that is meant to enhance educational outcomes. The legislation mandates that the commissioner of education can place specific campuses into this new district if they fail to meet certain performance standards for multiple consecutive years. This move is justified by proponents as a necessary step to rectify systemic failures in certain school districts and improve educational opportunities for students.
Contention
Despite the stated aims of improving educational outcomes, SB895 has drawn criticism from various stakeholders. Opponents argue that the bill undermines local governance, stripping communities of their ability to influence the management of their educational institutions. Concerns have also been raised about the implications for teacher employment and job security within the newly established district. Additionally, critics worry that the focus on state intervention might lead to a one-size-fits-all approach that does not consider the unique needs of individual school communities, potentially overlooking important cultural and social contexts integral to each campus.
Identical
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 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 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 measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to the health and safety of public school students and active shooter training for certain peace officers.
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 for educating students at certain low-performing campuses.
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 certain powers and duties of the board of trustees of an independent school district and the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school and to abolishing certain county boards of education, boards of county school trustees, and offices of county school superintendent.
Relating to the operation by a school district of a vocational education program to provide eligible high school students with vocational and educational training under a plan for the issuance of a high school diploma and the application of certain student-based allotments under the public school finance system.
Relating to policies, procedures, and measures for school safety and mental health promotion in public schools and the creation of the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium.