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Public education debates during this year’s regular legislative session largely revolved around two topics: school vouchers and teacher raises.
But while the regular session ended with no new laws on either area — setting the stage for a special session focused on education to tie loose ends — legislators did approve some lesser-known measures. Most took effect before classes began this month.
Many of these new laws seek to strengthen school safety and security, improve academic achievement and address recent parental concerns, as well as establish some general rules for students.
Families should check in with their local school districts for details on how they’ll implement these new laws.
Here are some of the new laws you might have missed.
School safety
A year after 19 children and two teachers were killed in a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, the Texas Legislature passed new safety laws and reinforced others.
House Bill 3 requires every Texas public school to have an armed officer and offer mental health training for staff members that interact with children. The officer must be either from the district’s own police department, a school resource officer from another law enforcement agency or a peace officer hired as a security officer. School districts that can’t comply with this requirement can apply for a “good cause exception” — which would be defined by each local school board —and must find an alternative plan.
Source: Texas Tribune by Brian Lopez
Photo: Hank Warner teaches a pre-advanced placement algebra course for ninth graders at Bowie High School in Austin on April 10, 2013. Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune