Simplify State Education "Code" from 1,100 to 50 Pages: Proposed Texas bill could spell changes for public education

Amanda Ross:

Hays County's state representative has filed a comprehensive piece of legislation that could pave the way for a new approach to public education.

House Bill 300, filed by State Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) on March 7, would create an alternative to the mandate-filled education code currently followed by all Texas school districts. The bill would give school districts the option to create their own agendas, goals and measurements of success, bucking the current one-size-fits-all approach mandated by the state government, Isaac said.

"(HB 300) gives school districts the flexibility to manage their own curriculum, teachers the freedom to attend to the needs of their students and parents the ability to have more say in ensuring the best education for their children," Isaac said.

The current education code, which is approximately 1,100 pages long, would be replaced with 50 pages of framework that school districts could tailor to fit their individual needs, Isaac said. For instance, the bill would give school districts the control to allocate financial resources as they see fit and focus on individual programs and areas as needed.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at April 2, 2013 1:36 AM
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