Texas House Bill HB452

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 11/28/16

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 impact of HB452 on state laws primarily involves modifications to the Texas Education Code, particularly Section 28.022(a). This amendment seeks to bring greater transparency and communication between educators and families, thus addressing concerns related to student academic outcomes. By formalizing the requirement for parental notifications, the bill encourages active participation from parents, which is linked to improved student performance and accountability in schools.

Summary

House Bill 452 aims to enhance parental engagement in the education of their children by mandating public school districts to provide regular notifications regarding students' academic performance. The proposed legislation requires school districts to adopt a policy that ensures parents receive written updates at least once every twelve weeks, detailing their child's performance in each class, as well as information on class enrollment numbers. Additionally, more frequent notifications (every three weeks) are required if a student's performance in foundational subjects is consistently unsatisfactory.

Contention

While the bill's intent is to support student education through enhanced parental involvement, there may be debates surrounding its implementation. Critics could argue that the added administrative burden on schools, particularly in districts with fewer resources, could detract from instructional time and affect the quality of education delivered. Furthermore, there could be concerns regarding how 'unsatisfactory performance' is determined and communicated—leading to potential misunderstandings and stigmatization of struggling students. Nonetheless, supporters see the bill as a necessary step towards fostering a more collaborative educational environment.