State
BY HANNAH NORTON
Texas lawmakers are working on legislation aimed at giving teachers more discretion to remove students who they deem repeatedly disruptive or a threat to others’ safety from the classroom. Lawmakers have said these bills would help schools attract and retain educators. Over 12% of Texas teachers left their jobs ahead of the 2023-24 school year, according to data from the Texas Education Agency. In 2022, nearly half of teachers cited discipline issues as a top workplace challenge, per the TEA. “This is [one of the most important bills this session],” House Speaker Dustin Burrows told Community Impact in an April 3 interview. “We have to have our teachers being able to be respected in the classroom and being able to restore discipline.” Texas bills would tighten school discipline policies
At a glance
What they’re saying
Some Texans told a House committee March 18 that expanding suspensions for young students would harm children’s progress and development. “Young children make mistakes, and they’re still learning acceptable behavior and how to self-regulate,” said Adrian Fonseca, a teacher at Dallas ISD’s Montessori Academy. “Suspensions only push students further away.” In an April 25 statement, Willis ISD Superintendent Kimberley James said the district supports the need for consequences for students who engage in violence or abuse, while noting that real solutions go beyond policy. “Many students facing serious behavioral issues are also coping with trauma, mental health needs or developmental challenges,” James said. “We encourage lawmakers to pair disciplinary reform with funding for mental health services, trauma- informed training, specialized staff and alternative learning settings for students who pose a safety risk.” Montgomery ISD Superintendent Mark Ruffin said in a May 6 statement that MISD also supports efforts to improve student discipline policies. “We appreciate our legislators ... for listening to the concerns of educators and school leaders, and for their willingness to pursue legislative changes,” Ruffin said. Conroe ISD did not return a request for comment prior to press time.
Members of the Texas House and Senate have passed separate bills that would expand public schools’ authority to discipline students. Bills must be approved by both legislative chambers before they can become law.
Senate Bill 27
by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, would : • Allow teachers to immediately remove students who bully or abuse others • Require a teacher’s written consent before students return to class • Give teachers more flexibility in their employment contracts
Senate Bill 1871
by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, would : • Require students to be expelled to a state-run Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program for assaulting a teacher and other violent acts • Remove a three-day cap on in-school suspensions and allow students to be placed in them indefinitely
Texas teachers leaving the classroom
13.44%
House Bill 6
15%
by Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, would : • Reverse a 2017 state law that generally prohibits schools from suspending students in pre-K through second grade • Place a 10-day time limit on in-school suspensions • Expand a list of off-campus offenses that could lead to a student’s expulsion
9.34%
10%
12.17%
11.57%
5%
0%
2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 School year
SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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