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88TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE

These bills may help improve classroom conditions

This session has given lawmakers the opportunity to address the inadequate pay and difficult working conditions that have led to a teacher shortage crisis in Texas. It remains to be seen how the Legislature will handle salaries, with very different versions in the House and Senate, but we are starting to see progress on proposals designed to help ease the burdens on teachers in the classroom. Here are a few bills that could help improve classroom conditions:

• TCTA's SB 245 (read more on that below) is designed to help strengthen teachers' ability to remove disruptive students.
• HB 1416 and SB 1261 would address some of the additional responsibilities caused by last session's HB 4545, which required supplemental instruction for struggling students.
• TCTA is also working on language in some of the larger bills that would place limits on the amount of time that districts can require employees to work outside the instructional day.

Click here to read more about these bills.

Senate Education takes up TCTA discipline bill

Senate Bill 245, a major student discipline bill initiated by TCTA in conjunction with Sen. Charles Perry, was heard in Wednesday’s Senate Education Committee meeting.

TCTA General Counsel Lonnie Hollingsworth (pictured at right) and legislative intern Quinn McCall (left) both served as expert witnesses on the bill. Hollingsworth detailed how the bill’s revisions to Chapter 37 of the Education Code will help teachers more easily remove disruptive students from the classroom and help prevent the “revolving door” situation in which the student is sent straight back to the classroom without any real consequences. SB 245 will also correct a major loophole in discipline law by prohibiting districts of innovation from exempting themselves from Chapter 37 requirements.

House panel holds hearing on voucher bills

While the education community had a big win last week on the Herrero amendment to the budget, the battle over school vouchers is certainly not over. In a marathon session Tuesday, the House Public Education Committee discussed a House bill similar to SB 8, the education savings account program that recently passed the Senate, as well as bills providing “insurance premium tax credits” under which entities could pay for private school tuition scholarships in exchange for credits against their taxes.

The committee advanced HB 100, a bill by Rep. Ken King increasing school funding by $140 per student over a two-year period, and revising the teacher salary structure. TCTA hopes to continue working with King to improve the salary provisions of this bill.

In other action this week:

• The House Select Committee on Youth Health and Safety reviewed several education-related bills Monday on student discipline and mental health.
• On Tuesday, some key school safety bills advanced out of committee.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

SBEC sanctions principal over alleged threat against teachers

A complaint was filed against a principal with the State Board for Educator Certification, alleging that his certification should be sanctioned because he stated to a fellow school district employee that he wished he could "shoot the teachers" at the school. The complaint alleged that this behavior violated several provisions of the Texas Administrative Code and the Educator's Code of Ethics. The principal requested a hearing before an administrative law judge.

While the administrative law judge concluded that the principal's certificate should not be sanctioned, because he did not intend to harm teachers, SBEC disagreed and issued an order stating that "the Board's rules do not require that an individual determine whether a threatening person actually intends to inflict injury before it becomes a threat." Click here to read more.

OTHER NEWS

TEA updates standards to prevent bullying in schools

The Texas Education Agency recently updated its minimum standards for bullying prevention in schools. Along with the revised standards, TEA has updated resources to help districts implement the changes, including the Texas School Safety Center's bullying checklist and a video for use in classroom discussions about bullying.

Nominate outstanding school volunteers for 2023 SBOE award

The State Board of Education is accepting nominations for the 2023 Heroes for Children Award through July 14. The award recognizes volunteers whose acts of service have significantly contributed to the betterment of Texas public schools and students. Click here for nominating criteria and forms.

Save 15% at Beach Park at Isla Blanca on South Padre

Beach Park at Isla Blanca on South Padre Island is now open for the 2023 season. TCTA members save 15% off the regular price of admission. Use this special link to buy tickets, and enter the eTicket discount code TCTA during checkout to apply the savings.

Click here to explore all our cost-saving programs.

• The State Board of Education meets April 14 in Austin. Click here to watch a livestream of the meeting, which starts at 9 a.m. CDT.
• April 18 is the deadline to file federal income tax returns.
• The spring STAAR testing window opens April 18 and closes May 12.