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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the assignment of family engagement specialists at |
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public schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 33, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 33.918 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.918. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST. (a) A school |
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district or open-enrollment charter school shall assign at least |
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one family engagement specialist to each district or school campus. |
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(b) The duties of a family engagement specialist assigned |
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under this section may include: |
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(1) supporting strategies for building relationships |
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between parents and students to increase parent involvement and |
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empowerment; |
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(2) assisting teachers and staff with contacting |
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parents of students daily, especially regarding academic support |
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and attendance concerns; |
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(3) educating families of students regarding |
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communication tools and opportunities; |
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(4) facilitating parent learning opportunities, |
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outreach, and informational sessions that emphasize early |
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education for career and college readiness; |
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(5) coordinating with support staff to assist families |
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of students with accessing school- and community-based support |
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services; |
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(6) assisting with communication and interaction |
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throughout the campus to provide increased opportunities for parent |
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involvement; |
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(7) communicating with the principal and staff to |
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ensure the campus exceeds the requirements for parent and family |
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engagement under Title I, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of |
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1965 (20 U.S.C. Section 6318); and |
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(8) supporting and promoting activities that |
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contribute to a positive school experience for students and their |
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families. |
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SECTION 2. A school district and open-enrollment charter |
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school shall assign an employee to act as a family engagement |
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specialist at each district or school campus as required by Section |
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33.918, Education Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable |
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after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |