Texas Senate Bill SB1557

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to military-connected students, including providing a designation for certain school district campuses that take actions to assist those students.

Impact

The bill impacts state education laws by introducing requirements for designated schools, such as maintaining an accessible website for military families and offering professional development for staff about military-related issues. Eligible campuses must provide resources that inform families about school processes, academic planning, and available support services. These changes highlight a commitment to ensuring that schools are better prepared to support military families, fostering a more inclusive educational environment tailored to their needs.

Summary

SB1557 aims to provide support for military-connected students by establishing a designation known as 'Purple Star Campus.' This designation is intended for school districts that actively implement practices and services that assist military families and their children as they transition between schools. The bill emphasizes the unique challenges faced by military-connected students, such as frequent relocations, and aims to ease their adaptation to new educational environments. By mandating schools to appoint military liaisons and provide specific resources, the bill seeks to enhance the support system around these students.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment around SB1557 has been positive, with broad bipartisan support evidenced by its voting history — it passed the Senate unanimously and garnered significant approval in the House. Proponents include lawmakers and advocates who believe that military families deserve specialized support due to their unique circumstances. There is a strong recognition that these families often face increased pressure and instability, and implementing such programs is viewed as a crucial step in acknowledging their sacrifices.

Contention

While the bill is largely supported, some concerns have been raised about the logistics of implementation and the adequacy of resources allocated for training staff and enhancing programs. Critics express worries that not all districts may have the capacity to meet the Purple Star Campus requirements consistently due to funding or staffing limitations. However, the general view is that the potential benefits of improved support for military-connected students outweigh these concerns, making SB1557 a significant legislative step forward.