Texas Senate Bill SB1011

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to measures to mitigate the effects of a disaster on public schools, including personal leave provided for certain public school employees, the temporary suspension of certain accountability determinations and promotion or graduation criteria, the calculation of average daily attendance for the 2020-2021 school year, and a study on methods to reduce truancy rates.

Impact

SB1011 modifies the Education Code to temporarily suspend certain accountability measures during a disaster. Specifically, it dictates that for the school year affected by a disaster, results from assessment instruments cannot be used to evaluate school district performance or determine student promotions. This adjustment is seen as a necessary response to the disruptions caused by the pandemic, aiming to relieve schools from the pressure of maintaining performance standards under extraordinary circumstances. Additionally, it changes the funding calculation for public schools based on attendance to ensure they receive adequate support during challenging times.

Summary

Senate Bill 1011 aims to mitigate the effects of disasters on public schools by introducing various provisions that impact public school employees and students. Key features of the bill include expanded personal leave for school employees who test positive for diseases that lead to a disaster declaration by the governor. This includes at least 14 days of paid leave that cannot be deducted from accrued personal leave or the Family and Medical Leave Act. Furthermore, it introduces provisions for employees who worked in the 2020-2021 school year, allowing them additional paid leave equivalent to the days they had to take off due to COVID-19, but this is set to expire in September 2022.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding SB1011, particularly regarding the potential for dependency on disaster-related leave provisions and the implications of suspending accountability measures. Proponents argue that these measures are essential for safeguarding both employees and students during unforeseen health crises, emphasizing the need for stability in schooling. Critics may contend that long-term reliance on such provisions could undermine educational standards and discipline within schools. Moreover, the temporary nature of these measures raises questions about the long-term strategies needed to handle such emergencies effectively.