Priorities for the 89th Texas Legislature

We must ensure safe classrooms for all.

“While accountability for schools remains a must, accountability outside of the school has deteriorated, leaving educators to address challenges that extend far beyond the classroom. We must provide schools with the support and tools necessary to manage behavior effectively, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive academically and socially. The Student Behavior Management Coalition is dedicated to fulfilling this endeavor."

Dr. Shannon Allen
Superintendent, Beaumont ISD

Goals of the Student Behavior Management Coalition:

Priority 1: Local Control regarding Student Discipline.
Rules and protocols should be developed by locally elected trustees and guided by input from the community of students, teachers/staff, and parents.

Policy Suggestions:

  • discipline flexibility for vaping

  • suspension limits should be clear and not open for TEA interpretation

     

Priority 2: Discipline Flexibility.
Every child has different needs and responses. Just as we apply different levels of support for academic learning, disciplinary actions and behavior supports should be given to address specific needs.

Policy Suggestions

  • removal to DAEP for additional circumstances

  • allow for removal to a virtual setting

  • allow expulsion for serious offenses

     

Priority 3: Safe Classrooms for Students and Teachers.
Disruptive students must not be permitted to continuously disrupt the learning environment or put others at risk.

Policy Suggestions

  • expansion of behaviors defined for suspension, including “significant disruption”

  • increased mental health services

  • expansion of threat assessment paradigm

     

Priority 4: Parent Rights and Responsibilities.
Parents are partners in their child’s education. Partners have rights and responsibilities to ensure their child is productively participating in the educational system.

Policy Suggestions

  • legal accountability for behavior and attendance at school

  • expansion of truancy language to involve failure of involvement in behavior management

     

Priority 5: Training and Resources regarding Behavior Management Best Practices.
Educators are taught classroom management and pedagogy. They are not licensed in how to support students with severe behaviors.

Policy Suggestion

  • funding for programs to provide basic intervention for behavior management