Texas Senate Bill SB193

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 11/14/16

Caption

Relating to Texas community schools.

Impact

The bill specifically impacts the Education Code, introducing a framework for transitioning traditional public schools into community schools, particularly those that are low-performing. Schools looking to make this transition must form community partnership teams, perform needs assessments, and develop clear community school plans with substantial input from stakeholders. This approach fosters greater community involvement and accountability in school governance, potentially leading to improved performance and student outcomes.

Summary

SB193 focuses on establishing Texas community schools, which aim to enhance educational outcomes by collaborating with community-based organizations. These schools are defined as public educational institutions that provide comprehensive support services—including academic, social, and healthcare services—targeted towards reducing barriers to learning. The initiative emphasizes partnerships with local nonprofits to improve the quality of education and address the diverse needs of students and their families within the community.

Contention

While SB193 has the potential to bring significant improvements to local education systems, it also raises several points of contention. Critics may argue that the heavy reliance on community-based organizations could lead to unequal resource distribution and the imposition of external agendas within schools. Furthermore, the requirement for overwhelming support from faculty and parents for transitioning to a community school could be a barrier for some institutions, making it difficult to effect necessary changes in underperforming schools.