Texas House Bill HB114

Texas 2021 - 87th 3rd C.S.

Caption

Relating to the adjustment of the average daily attendance of a school district on the basis of a calamity.

Impact

The passage of HB 114 is expected to provide much-needed flexibility for school districts in Texas during moments of crisis. By allowing districts to adjust their ADA for up to one entire school year post-calamity, schools could potentially receive increased funding resources during challenging times. This change aims to mitigate the financial repercussions that often follow significant disruptions in educational services, ensuring that school operations can continue smoothly despite external challenges.

Summary

House Bill 114 is focused on the adjustment of the average daily attendance (ADA) of school districts based on the impact of calamities such as disasters, floods, and extreme weather conditions. The proposed amendment to Section 48.005(d) of the Education Code allows the Texas commissioner to make adjustments to a school district's attendance figures if a calamity significantly affects student attendance. This adjustment can account for instructional days lost due to the calamity, providing districts some measure of financial stability amid unforeseen disruptions.

Contention

As with similar legislation, HB 114 may attract both support and opposition. Proponents argue that the bill is necessary to safeguard educational funding and ensure that schools are not penalized for circumstances beyond their control. Conversely, critics may raise concerns about the potential for misuse or manipulation of data related to attendance, emphasizing the importance of accountability in how school districts manage educational resources. The balance between necessary support for affected districts and the integrity of reporting on student attendance is likely to be a point of discussion during legislative review.