Texas Senate Bill SB299

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to a notification requirement if a public school, including an open-enrollment charter school, does not have a nurse, school counselor, or librarian assigned to the school during all instructional hours.

Impact

The implementation of SB299 impacts the Texas Education Code by mandating that schools communicate with parents regarding the availability of critical support personnel. It is expected to enhance parent awareness regarding the resources that should be available for student support in schools. Additionally, the bill could promote accountability within schools to ensure the staffing of these essential roles, thus potentially improving the overall educational environment and support for students in Texas schools.

Summary

SB299 establishes a requirement for public schools, including open-enrollment charter schools, to notify parents if a school does not have a full-time nurse, school counselor, or librarian present during instructional hours for more than 30 consecutive days. This notification is aimed at ensuring that parents are informed about the resources available at their children's schools, specifically in terms of essential educational support staff. The bill specifies the roles and qualifications of nurses, counselors, and librarians in the context of this requirement, providing definitions to clarify these positions under Texas law.

Contention

While proponents of SB299 support the bill for its potential to keep parents informed about school resources, some may question the practicality of the notification requirement, particularly in smaller schools or rural areas where staffing challenges can arise. The bill does not apply to schools with less than 10,000 students, which may lead to disparities in how educational resources are communicated in smaller districts. Additionally, concerns may be raised about the adequacy of the notification methods, ensuring that they reach all parents effectively, especially in communities with diverse linguistic backgrounds.