Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB56

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the inclusion of chronically absent students as students at risk of dropping out of school and the collection and reporting of data regarding those students.

Impact

If enacted, SB56 would have substantial implications for school districts across Texas. The bill mandates that data on chronically absent students be aggregated and made publicly available, thus emphasizing the responsibility of school districts to monitor and report on attendance issues. The collected data would include not only the number of chronically absent students but also their demographic details, which could assist in tailoring interventions for various student populations. This amendment is likely to enhance schools' awareness and responsiveness to absenteeism and its underlying causes.

Summary

SB56 aims to amend the Texas Education Code to include chronically absent students as 'students at risk of dropping out of school.' By defining chronic absenteeism and modifying the criteria for determining students at risk, this bill seeks to ensure that schools identify and assist students who have significant attendance issues. This strategic inclusion is part of a broader effort to address dropout rates by intensifying data collection and reporting related to absenteeism, which can significantly impact student success.

Contention

While supporters of SB56 argue that adding chronically absent students to the at-risk category is a necessary step toward reducing dropout rates, some critics may express concerns about the additional burdens placed on schools, particularly regarding data collection and the potential for misinterpretation of the data. There is a fear that schools predominantly focused on attendance metrics might overlook the individual circumstances that lead to absenteeism. Furthermore, delivering support might prove challenging within existing school frameworks, leading some stakeholders to call for accompanying resources or training to effectively manage these requirements.

Companion Bills

TX HB213

Identical Relating to the inclusion of chronically absent students as students at risk of dropping out of school and the collection and reporting of data regarding those students.

TX HB2236

Same As Relating to the inclusion of chronically absent students as students at risk of dropping out of school and the collection and reporting of data regarding those students.

Previously Filed As

TX HB213

Relating to the inclusion of chronically absent students as students at risk of dropping out of school and the collection and reporting of data regarding those students.

TX HB2236

Relating to the inclusion of chronically absent students as students at risk of dropping out of school and the collection and reporting of data regarding those students.

TX SB991

Relating to the inclusion of chronically absent and truant students as students at risk of dropping out of school and the collection and reporting of data regarding those students.

TX HB3583

Relating to reading instruction, assessment instruments, and interventions provided to public school students.

TX HB123

Relating to measures to support kindergarten readiness and early literacy and numeracy skills for public school students and to funding to support those measures.

TX HB2396

Relating to the transfer of students between public schools.

TX SB315

Relating to the recording of student absences.

TX HB4

Relating to the assessment of public school students, public school accountability and actions, and proceedings challenging the operations of the public school system.

TX HB792

Student absenteeism; excuse those related to an exceptional student's disability.

TX HB1250

Student absenteeism; excuse those related to an exceptional student's disability.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.