79R18259 SMC-D

By:  Edwards                                                      H.R. No. 2010


R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature has long recognized the value of extracurricular activities to the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development of students enrolled in the Texas public education system; ranging from academic decathlon to athletics to the arts, students participating in these activities are ambassadors for their respective campuses and, by extension, for the entire state; and WHEREAS, Once purely a means to energize and entertain spectators at sporting events, cheerleading and dance have grown into sports in their own right with participants preparing diligently for competitions and contests in addition to their traditional appearances at school functions; as such, school cheerleaders and dancers represent their schools and districts every bit as much as the teams with which they perform; and WHEREAS, An implicit part of providing the best possible education for our children is promoting positive and healthy attitudes, perhaps most important among them respect for others and for oneself; if there is any question that these principles are being jeopardized by inappropriate conduct of students during school-sponsored events, on or off the school campus, it should be of concern to the public officials of this state; and WHEREAS, The mission of the Texas Education Agency is to provide leadership, guidance, and resources to help schools meet the educational needs of all students and the Texas House of Representatives commends this outstanding agency for its laudable accomplishments in reaching the important goal of educating the children of this state; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature hereby request the Texas Education Agency to determine whether inappropriate performances, including overly sexually suggestive performances, by school groups such as dance teams, drill teams, marching bands, and cheerleading teams are occurring at school-sponsored or approved events on a regular basis or as a result of lack of oversight or standards and take any action that it considers appropriate to address the issue; and, be it further RESOLVED, That the chief clerk of the Texas House of Representatives forward an official copy of this resolution to the commissioner of education.