81R1746 CAE-D

By: Allen H.B. No. 626

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an educational involvement agreement setting forth the respective responsibilities of students, parents, teachers, and principals in public schools.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 26, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 26.014 to read as follows:

Sec. 26.014. EDUCATIONAL INVOLVEMENT AGREEMENT. (a) The agency shall adopt an educational involvement agreement form for use by school districts to be signed by a student, the student's parent, each of the student's teachers, and the principal of the student's school. The agreement must state the respective responsibilities of the student, parent, teacher, and principal. A school district shall provide the agreement to each individual who is required to sign the agreement not later than the 14th day after the first day of instruction for a school year or the 14th day after the date a student enrolls in the school, as applicable. A school district must provide a parent with a reasonable opportunity to sign the agreement.

(b) The educational involvement agreement must include descriptions of:

(1) the parent's responsibilities regarding the student's education, which may include:

(A) reading to the student, if appropriate for the student's grade or reading level;

(B) reviewing and checking the student's homework; and

(C) contributing at least five hours of the parent's time to the school each school year by:

(i) attending school-related activities;

(ii) attending parent-teacher association meetings;

(iii) attending parent-teacher conferences;

(iv) volunteering at the school; or

(v) chaperoning school-sponsored events;

(2) the responsibility of a student to:

(A) read each day before or after school, if appropriate for the student's grade or reading level;

(B) use school equipment and property in a safe, appropriate manner;

(C) follow the instructions of school staff;

(D) complete and submit homework in a timely manner; and

(E) act in a respectful manner; and

(3) the responsibility of each teacher and principal to:

(A) provide each student with proper instruction, supervision, and interaction;

(B) maximize the educational and social experience of each student;

(C) perform professional responsibilities in a manner that is in the best interest of each student; and

(D) be available to parents to discuss concerns.

(c) A school district may revise the educational involvement agreement form adopted by the agency to include information in addition to the information required under this section.

(d) The educational involvement agreement provided to a student's parent may be accompanied by information regarding:

(1) the manner in which a parent may contact the student's teacher or principal;

(2) the curriculum for each course in which the student is enrolled or standards for the student's grade level, including a calendar that indicates the dates that assessment instruments will be administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39, and the due dates of significant projects, if those dates are known at the time the information is provided to the parent;

(3) homework and grading policies;

(4) directions for locating resource material for the courses in which the student is enrolled or for the student's grade level, as applicable;

(5) methods for assisting the student with school work at home;

(6) dates of scheduled conferences between teachers or administrators and the parent;

(7) details on how reports of the student's progress will be sent to the parent and how a parent may request a progress report;

(8) classroom rules and policies;

(9) dress code;

(10) the availability of assistance to a parent of limited English proficiency;

(11) information on free and reduced-price meals; and

(12) opportunities for parents to become involved in the student's education or volunteer at the school.

(e) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

SECTION 2. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the Texas Education Agency shall adopt an educational involvement agreement form for use by school districts as required by Section 26.014, Education Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Each school district shall use the educational involvement agreement form in the manner required by Section 26.014, Education Code, as added by this Act, beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.