Discussion of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Related to Bullying Prevention
November 15, 2012
COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for the committee to discuss inclusion of student expectations for bullying prevention in the health education Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). House Bill (HB) 1942, 82nd Texas Legislature, in consultation with the Texas School Safety Center, essential knowledge and skills that include evidence-based practices that effectively address awareness, prevention, identification, self-defense in response to, and resolution of and intervention in bullying and harassment.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(c)(4) and §28.002.
BOARD RESPONSE: This item is presented for review and comment.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The SBOE adopted the TEKS for health education effective September 1, 1998.
FUTURE ACTION EXPECTED: At the direction of the committee, proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 115, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Health Education, Subchapter A, Elementary, Subchapter B, Middle School, and Subchapter C, High School, could be presented for first reading and filing authorization at the next scheduled SBOE meeting.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The 82nd Texas Legislature, 2011, passed HB 1942, amending the TEC, §28.002, to define bullying and harassment. Under the TEC, §28.002, as amended, the SBOE shall adopt TEKS for the health curriculum, in consultation with the Texas School Safety Center, that include evidence-based practices that will effectively address awareness, prevention, identification, self-defense in response to, and resolution of and intervention in bullying and harassment.
FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal implications for the proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 115, Subchapters A-C, will be assessed subsequent to committee direction provided at the November meeting.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Students would have access to additional information regarding bullying in health education classes.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: The proposed revisions would have no procedural and reporting requirements.
LOCALLY MAINTAINED PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: The proposed revisions would have no locally maintained paperwork requirements.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: None.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael L. Williams
Commissioner of Education
Staff Members Responsible:
Anita Givens, Associate Commissioner
Standards and Programs
Norma Torres-Martinez, Director of Standards and Alignment
Standards and Programs
Monica Martinez, Managing Director
Curriculum
Attachment:
Statutory Citations (PDF, 144KB)