HOUSTON – The Texas Education Agency on Tuesday released new guidance outlining consequences for student walkouts, political activism, and related absences in Texas public schools.
According to the TEA, the policies were in lockstep with a directive from Gov. Greg Abbott to “investigate instances of inappropriate political activism deliberately disrupting the learning environment in Texas public schools.”
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The guidelines detail consequences for students, teachers and school districts who are found to be participating in or “facilitating” protests.
According to the agency, students who choose to participate in walkouts during scheduled school days must be marked absent. School districts could also lose daily attendance funding if they allow or encourage student protests that disrupt attendance.
Teachers who “facilitate walkouts” are also subject to investigations and sanctions, including losing their teaching licenses.
School districts found to be supporting or facilitating walkouts could also be investigated and face serious consequences, including the appointment of a state monitor, conservator, or board of managers.
TEA emphasized that state law prohibits public school systems from supporting or opposing political activism that disrupts instruction during the school day, including the use of taxpayer-funded resources.
Certified educators are likewise barred from encouraging or assisting students in leaving class to engage in political activism and remain subject to the Educator Code of Ethics.
TEA stated it will investigate all complaints and take action if violations of state law are found.
READ THE FULL TEA STATEMENT
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today released guidance regarding student walkouts, absences and actions related to political activism in response to Governor Greg Abbott’s directive to investigate instances of inappropriate political activism deliberately disrupting the learning environment in Texas public schools.
Consequences for students, teachers and school districts can include but are not limited to the following:
Students must be marked as absent and schools risk losing daily attendance funding if they allow or encourage students to walk out of class.
Teachers that facilitate walk outs will be subject to investigation and sanction including licensure revocation.
School systems that facilitate walkouts will be subject to investigation and sanction, including either the appointment of a monitor, conservator or board of managers. Today, in classrooms across Texas, tomorrow’s leaders are learning the foundational, critical thinking skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong learning, serving as the bedrock for the future success of our state and nation. It is in this spirit that school systems have been reminded of their duty and obligation to ensure that their students are both safe and that they attend school, with consequences for students for unexcused absences.
State law prohibits school systems from supporting or opposing any forms of political activism that disrupts learning during the school day, including facilitation of political activism through the use of taxpayer-funded district resources. If a school system is found to be in violation of state law, the agency will investigate and take appropriate action, which can include the appointment of a monitor, conservator or board of managers.
State law also prohibits certified educators from encouraging or facilitating student departures from a class or school activity to engage in any form of political activism. Educators are also subject to all requirements in the Educator Code of Ethics and local employment guidelines. If findings related to violations of law by certified educators are made, such fundings will be referred to SBEC Enforcement, which will pursue enforcement actions with the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to seek sanctions as warranted.
Individuals with any concerns not addressed in their school’s local grievance process should submit a complaint with the agency through the Online Complaints Form. The agency thoroughly investigates each complaint received. If violations of law are found, the agency will take appropriate action to ensure that state law is upheld.
View the agency’s guidance issued to school systems: District Attendance Policies, Complaints and Educator Responsibilities
Editor’s note: This information was first released on Feb. 3, before being transferred to its own article.