Presented by: Jim Walsh What’s New? Presented by: Jim Walsh

Removal from Class A student may not be removed from class for REMEDIAL TUTORING or TEST PREP if the removal would mean that the student would miss more than 10% of the days on which the class is offered, unless parent provides written consent. HB 5 Section 5, effective NOW.

Gotta Be in Class The 90% attendance rule applies K-12. Students cannot get credit or a final grade unless they are in attendance 90%. The 75% exception still applies. HB 5 Section 7, effective NOW.

CSCOPE If an ESC or a group of ESCs develop lessons as part of a curriculum management system, they must be reviewed and adopted by SBOE. A school that adopts a “major curriculum initiative” including a “curriculum management system” must obtain teacher input and a board meeting. SB 1406, 1474, effective NOW.

Excused Absences My baby has to go to the doctor. My dad just got deployed. I’m an election clerk for early voting. I’m in DFPS conservatorship and have a court ordered activity. All effective NOW.

Get Off the Bus, Gus Your code of conduct must specify the circumstances under which a student might be removed from a vehicle owned or operated by the district. Bus drivers can send kids to the principal for “appropriate discipline management techniques.” SB 1541, effective NOW.

Diags Relief Act Initial FIE is due in 45 school days, with extensions if student is absent three or more days. If request is late in the year, this may extend into next school year. If parent makes written request for FIE, district must respond in 15 school days by seeking consent, or giving notice of refusal. SB 816, effective NOW.

Facilitated ARDs TEA will make this available as an ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) method by 2014-15. Optional for districts. You can use facilitated ARD techniques at your routine ARD meetings as well. SB 542.

Board Member Chat Room Your district can create an “online message board” whereby board members can communicate with each other without violating the TOMA. Open and searchable to the public. HB 2414, effective NOW.

About Your Cellphone….. Public information: includes information written, produced, collected, assembled or maintained by a school employee in “official capacity” and pertaining to “official business.” This includes e-communication “on any device if the communication is in connection with the transaction of official business.” SB 1368, effective NOW.

School Marshals Optional: but schools can appoint a marshal for every 400 students. Must be an existing employee, have CHL, get training and pass a psychological test. If marshal’s primary duty involves “regular, direct contact” with students, marshal may not carry—must have gun in a locked safe within immediate reach. Hmmm. HB 1009, effective NOW.

Ho! Ho! Ho! You can wish people Merry Christmas, etc. You can have a display that involves symbols of more than one religion; or that involves a symbol of one religion along with a secular scene or symbol. HB 308, effective NOW.

Contact JIM WALSH Walsh, Anderson, Gallegos, Green and Treviño, P.C. P.O. Box 2156 Austin, Texas 78768 Phone: 512-454-6864 Fax: 512-467-9318 Email: jwalsh@wabsa.com Web: www.WalshAnderson.com Twitter: twitter.com/JWalshtxlawdawg

The information in this handout was created by Walsh, Anderson, Gallegos, Green and Treviño, P.C. It is intended to be used for general information only and is not to be considered specific legal advice. If specific legal advice is sought, consult an attorney.