BILL ANALYSIS
By: Madden
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Students at risk for violence, drug abuse and delinquency and subsequent criminal behavior very often find themselves placed in the public school disciplinary system, which may consist of in-school suspension (ISS), out-of-school suspension or the school district’s Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP). When offensive behaviors become criminal in nature, students may be placed in a Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP).
Research shows a strong correlation between students’ entry into the school disciplinary system and later entry into the criminal justice system.
Cost effective application of “science based” interventions with these students can decrease crime and delinquency and result in improved school attendance, improved grades and improved citizenship. This bill requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to award grants, from funds appropriated for that purpose, for conducting prevention programs targeting youth violence, drug abuse and delinquency among at-risk youth in ISS or DAEP settings.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
The bill directs the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to award grants, from funds appropriated for that purpose, for funding to conduct youth violence prevention, drug abuse prevention, or delinquency prevention programs for at-risk youth in in-school suspension (ISS) or disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) settings.
The bill provides that such grants must be used to develop a case management system for at-risk youth assigned to DAEPs or ISS in grades six through twelve, and specifically provides that a district may not reduce funding for existing programs supporting students in DAEPs or ISS by use of funds awarded under this program.
To implement these disciplinary at-risk youth grants, this bill provides that a school district may contract with a private provider, another public school, or a regional education service center. Additionally, a school district must agree to participate in trainings, technical assistance and evaluations, as required by TEA.
The bill provides that school districts awarded these grants will implement programs that: (1) target students who demonstrate abusive conduct and behaviors including assault, abuse, aggression, insubordination, bullying, sexual harassment, intimidation of others, destruction of school property, sale or possession of dangerous drugs, and/or possession of weapons; (2) provide services to students selected by campus principals for behavioral intervention; (3) utilize documented violence prevention, drug abuse prevention or delinquency prevention programs, including group skills training, individual behavioral counseling, and community service learning projects; (4) use a case management system for a 12 month period of time with each student to assure a successful transition to the regular education program; and (5) work closely with the student's parents, guardian or other person or agency standing in parental relation to the student or having control of the student under a court order.
The bill provides that TEA shall provide for a grant application, review and award process on a competitive basis and may use one or more education service centers for that purpose and for training and technical assistance. An education service center participating in a grant proposal with a school district may not participate in these activities.
The bill provides that the Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008 school year.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.