SENATE BILL 242 As far as my research shows, this bill is still Pending - A call to your local Senators office should give you info on the status of this bill. House Bill 224, regarding cyber bullying) authored by Republican mark Strama, seems to also still be pending as of March 1, 2011. Keep your eyes and ears open regarding these Bills and call your senators office to show your support..
John Cornyn
5001 Spring Valley Road 5001
Suite 1125 E Dallas, TX 752
Main: 972-239-1310
Fax: 972-239-2110
and Ted Cruz
Dallas Office
3626 N. Hall St., Suite #410
Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: (214)-599-874
3626 N. Hall St., Suite #410
Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: (214)-599-874
This was a bill written by Senator Wendy Davis because “the Texas legislature has failed to adopt modern language addressing the rapidly changing face of bullying in our schools,” but the bill was left pending in the
Texas legislature. Senate Bill or S.B. 242, includes much of the same changes to the Texas Education Code or TEC as House Bill or H.B. 1942, but this bill more closely addresses the issue of cyberbullying.One change S.B. 242 proposes to make that H.B. 1942 does not is S.B. 242 directly defines cyberbullying as “bullying that is done using electronic communication, including electronic media.” H.B. 1942 includes in the definition of bullying expression through electronic means but does not directly call it cyberbullying. ((When it comes to laws, the exact definition means everything lest we forget Bill Clintons famous "It depends on what the meaning of the word is, is click here for youtube link to this video )) S.B. 242 would also put the word cyberbullying in the section title (section 37.0832) of the TEC, which states the definition of bullying. S.B. 242 is a more aggressive bill; it states schools must include training regarding bullying problems, whereas H.B. 1942 states schools may include such training. ((Here is what Texas law actually states as of the beginning of the school year 2012 and 2013 -- "State law encourages, but does not require, school districts to provide staff training on identifying, responding to, and reporting incidents of bullying.5 But, legislation did require state agencies to provide school districts with new training resources for students, teachers and other district staff, aimed at raising awareness of behaviors that may lead to bullying:
- The State Board of Education, the Texas Education Agency, and the Department of State Health Services will provide school districts with additional resources to help students and teachers better address bullying before it escalates;
- The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Texas School Safety Center, must incorporate into the TEKS for the health curriculum evidence-based best practices to help raise student awareness and address the prevention and identification of bullying; and,
- The Department of State Health Services in coordination with the Texas Education Agency must develop a clearinghouse of training programs from which school boards may select to train district staff in early mental health intervention and suicide prevention.
Beginning with the 2012-13 school year, Texas school boards will be required by law to adopt new
or amend existing board policies that prohibit bullying, including cyber-bullying. Districts may also
have to create or revise administrative procedures to address how the district responds to
incidents of bullying. These changes are designed to promote a safe and secure learning
environment for students. The Texas Association of School Boards will remain a resource as
districts make these important revisions." ))))
In addition, S.B. 242 expands on the procedures for training and reporting.62 The bill requires “annual training . . . for [school] district administrators[,] . . . employees[,] and volunteers who have significant contact with students”; training for students “regarding the elements of bullying”; and a bullying “educational program for . . . parents and guardians . . . .” (( it appears that Texas State law encourages, but does not require, school districts to provide staff training on identifying, responding to, and reporting incidents of bullying so you need to make sure, as parents and guardians, you are asking about the training your administrators and school staff may or may not have recieved )))
For reporting, the bill allows a school district to establish an anonymous reporting system (( this is great )) Next, S.B. 242 would allow a parent of a bullied victim to request that the board of trustees transfer a student who engages in bullying. ((It used to be that only the victim would transfer )) . On the other hand, H.B. 1942 does not allow a parent to request that the board of trustees transfer a student engaging in bullying; rather H.B. 1942 leaves that determination solely to the board of trustees. (( so make sure you really build your case )) Furthermore, S.B. 242 states the school district superintendent shall provide notice to both students’ parents within two days after the school’s principal learns of an incident of bullying. (( of course this is only if your child is talking to you about this issue. It is more important now than ever that we stay connected to our kids. If you cannot answer the following questions with some measure of accuracy, there is very large possibility your child is not talking to you about bullying.
1. If your child could paint his room any color, what would it be?
2. What does your child want to be when he or she grows up?
3. Who is your child's best friend(s)?
4. Does your child think he or she is too big or small for his age?
5. What does your child think others think about him/her?
6. What does your child like best about school? Why?
7. What does your child dislike about school? Why?
8. Who outside your family has influenced your child the most?
9. Who is your child's hero?
10. How does your child feel about you?
11. What would your child change about your family?
12. Does your child think you are fair?
13. if your child had $5 today, what would they buy?
14. What is your child's favorite possession?
15. What would your child change about you?
16. If asked, "What do you do well?" what would your child say?
17. What is your child's favorite Youtuber?
18. What is your child's favorite website?
19. What are your child's computer passwords
20. How many friends does your child have on Facebook?
Moreover, S.B. 242 requires each board of trustees to publish an annual report that would include “the number, rate, and type of incidents of bullying, including cyberbullying . . . .” (( According to my research this is in the student handbook - check the out ))
(( This is a great place to start your line of questioning and a Bill Clinton dream come true for some schools. What exactly IS appropriate to your child's school ))
Finally, the “school district shall provide annual written notice of the policy” to each student, parent, and district employee.70 The annual written notice must be available on the school district’s website and posted around the school.71 (( my extra research revealed ...."New board adopted anti-bullying policies and administrative procedures must be included annually in the student and employee handbooks and the district improvement plan. The procedure for reporting bullying must be posted on the district’s web site, to the extent practicable. " ))
The additional and stricter requirements S.B. 242 would add to the TEC could be the reason the bill was left pending in the Texas legislature, while H.B. 1942 is now part of the TEC.
I hope you are enjoying this as much as I am. We as parents can never know too much when it comes to protecting our children. The next installment will be covering Senate Bill 407 as it pertains to addressing electronic offenses. This topic is going to be a bit explicit but i will do my best to water it down.
As always "Be the Change you Want to See"
Coach J
God Bless you all.
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