The House Public Education Committee met March 18 to primarily to discuss bills related to school discipline, with a few other unrelated bills included as well. Student discipline continues to be a major topic this legislative session as the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors have exacerbated behavior issues in schools.
HB 1481 by Rep. Caroline Fairly (R-Amarillo) would require all school districts and charters to adopt a policy that prohibits students from using cellphones and smart watches during instructional time. The bill was widely supported by committee members of both parties, but there was also a lengthy discussion on the realities of implementing such a policy and whether it is even the state's responsibility to pass such a law when many school districts have already taken the initiative to enact such policies themselves. A number of school administrators and teachers appeared to support the bill, with a few parents and students appearing to speak against the bill. TCTA registered in support of the bill.
HB 222 by Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin) would add additional permissible expenses for the school safety allotment established in HB 3 last session. Specifically, it would add training for classroom management techniques and, with language proposed by TCTA, hiring behavior interventionists. (A committee substitute was not available in time for the hearing, but we anticipate that it will include this TCTA-initiated provision.) Talarico explained the lack of classroom management techniques at educator preparation programs as a contributing factor to increased behavior incidents as the rationale for the bill, and the committee was supportive. TCTA registered in support of the bill.
More disciplinary options
The most substantial bill of the day, HB 6 by Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano), would change a number of provisions related to school discipline. The bill would change time limits regarding in- or out-of-school suspensions; currently, neither option may be used for more than three school days, but the bill would allow in-school suspension for any amount of time. Additionally, students could be suspended for threatening the immediate health and safety of other students in the classroom or repeated or significant disruption to the classroom, regardless of their age. The bill would also allow virtual DAEPs as a last-chance option for students who would otherwise be expelled.
Dozens of school superintendents and administrators appeared to support the bill, stating that it gives more options for school districts to address dangerous behavior by students.
Candra Rogers, an assistant principal who was blinded by a student last school year, testified in support of the bill, stating that the student's behavioral problems could have been addressed earlier if the school district had more options at their disposal.
The conversation eventually took a more philosophical turn, with committee members questioning who is ultimately responsible for addressing a child's behavior: the child, the parent, or the school. Rep. Harold Dutton (D-Houston) questioned the wisdom of out-of-school suspension, opining that sending students back to the place where they likely learned their behavior could actually make that behavior worse.
The issue of school discipline will always be controversial and nuanced; with the rich conversation around the topic, the committee agreed that school discipline must be reformed and acknowledged HB 6 as a step in the right direction. TCTA has worked extensively with the author to edit the bill to be more beneficial to teachers and registered in support.
Other items of interest
HB 123 addresses early childhood education issues, including new diagnostic reading and math tests for K-3 students, and provisions for required math academies for K-8 teachers. TCTA testified with our strong concerns about the math academies given the extra demands placed on teachers when the reading academies were rolled out in 2019.
The bills were left pending to be considered at another committee hearing. TCTA will keep you updated on changes going forward.
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