Texas House Bill HB1161

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to a grant available to school districts to provide services to students residing in care and treatment facilities and residential placement facilities.

Impact

If enacted, HB1161 would amend the Education Code by adding the new Section 29.0181, which focuses on the educational rights and needs of students in care settings. The bill underscores the necessity for school districts to have adequate funding mechanisms to assure that funds allocated for these students are sufficient to cover their education costs. This would help in mitigating disparities faced by students in care compared to their peers in traditional educational settings.

Summary

House Bill 1161 establishes a grant program to provide funding for school districts that educate students residing in care and treatment facilities, as well as residential placement facilities. This legislation is particularly aimed at ensuring that districts have the necessary financial support to deliver appropriate educational services to students whose guardians do not reside within the same district. The bill requires the Texas Education Commissioner to make grants available from state or federal funds annually for this purpose.

Contention

During discussions on HB1161, proponents emphasized the importance of equitable educational opportunities for all students, including those in vulnerable placements. They argued that without targeted funding, these students might not receive the level of service they require. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the logistics of implementing a grant system, questioning whether adequate accountability measures would be in place to ensure the funds are used effectively. Additionally, discussions have touched on whether the funding levels provided would truly be sufficient to meet the educational needs of a diverse student population.