Relating to excused absences from public school for the purpose of visiting a military recruitment center or military installation.
Under the proposed changes, each student would be allowed to take up to two excused absences during their junior year and two during their senior year for the purpose of visiting military recruitment centers or installations. The bill mandates that districts develop specific policies delineating when an absence would be considered excused, as well as procedures for verifying the students' visits at these locations and obtaining parental permission when traveling with recruiters.
House Bill 358 is a legislative proposal aimed at modifying the rules regarding excused absences for public school students who wish to visit military recruitment centers or military installations. The bill amends Section 25.087 of the Education Code, allowing school districts to excuse students for these visits during their junior and senior years. This initiative is intended to provide students with the opportunity to explore military service as a viable career path, alongside traditional higher education options.
While the motivation behind HB358 is generally to promote military service among high school students, there are potential points of contention that could arise. Critics may argue that this bill could take away from instructional time, with some educators concerned about the impact of excused absences on student learning. Furthermore, discussions may emerge regarding the balance between promoting military service and ensuring that students are also encouraged to consider civilian education pathways with equal emphasis.
If passed, the law would come into effect for the 2017-2018 school year. Depending on the level of support for the bill, it may also require a supermajority vote for immediate enactment, reflecting its priority on providing students with military career exposure at a crucial stage in their education.