The Texas House has given initial approval to House Bill 6, which would expand school districts’ authority to discipline students for classroom disruptions. The bill, known as the “Texas Teacher’s Bill of Rights,” aims at protecting educators in the classroom and making classrooms safer. Under the new bill, students as young as third grade could be suspended for causing disruptions in the classroom. The bill reverses a previous law and expands schools’ ability to expel students for off-campus conduct like assault and murder.
Supporters of the bill argue that student violence and classroom disruptions have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic and that the bill is necessary to address these issues. However, opponents, including Rep. Gene Wu, argue that the bill could harm younger students, especially those with disabilities, and lead to an overreliance on discipline that could push students out of the classroom and into the school-to-prison pipeline.
Proponents of HB 6 believe that providing consequences for disruptive behavior is crucial to maintaining a safe and effective learning environment for all students. The bill now moves on to a final vote in the House before it is sent to the Senate for consideration. Both supporters and opponents of the bill continue to debate its potential impact on students and educators in Texas schools.
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