Texas, a week of laws to "empower parents"
On the eve of Father's Day, Governor Greg Abbott signed a legislative package allowing parents to review course curriculum and educational materials in schools.
(Cordon Press)
Texas just passed four laws in one week, regulating everything from social media to bibliographic material in schools. All to "empower parents." This is how Texas approached the week leading up to Father's Day.
The governor of the state, Greg Abbott, approved four laws on education and one to regulate minors' access to social media.
Social media
Texans under 18 must have permission from their parents or legal guardians to access "digital services" such as social media, websites, apps or any "software that collects or processes personally identifiable information with an Internet connection."
The companies behind the networks will have to get parental endorsement starting in September of next year.
The regulation also requires companies to create filters so that children do not see harmful content, such as posts linked to substance abuse, grooming or eating disorders.
In case of non-compliance, the state attorney general may sue the companies. The guardians of the affected minor may also initiate legal action.
Securing Children Online Th... by Santiago Adolfo Ospital
In schools
HB 900 regulates content in school libraries. The text recognizes that "parents are primarily responsible for student access to library materials."
This bill requires schools to be transparent with respect to their library catalogs. They will have to inform parents of any new additions as well as books that they remove from their catalog. In addition, students will only be able to access certain books with explicit authorization from their legal guardians.
The regulation also seeks to prevent the inclusion, possession or acquisition of sexually explicit, vulgar or inappropriate material in schools.
Restricting Explicit and Ad... by Santiago Adolfo Ospital
Adults will also be able to review tests and educational materials that teachers prepare for their students. This is mandated by HB 1605, which directs boards of trustees to establish a process for parents to access and request reconsideration of such content.
HB 1605 by Santiago Adolfo Ospital
HB 3803 allows parents to be able to choose to have a minor in their care repeat a grade level. This is true for those who attend prekindergarten through eighth grade.
They may also choose to have students repeat a class that awards high school credit, unless the school can prove that the student has met all passing requirements.
Additional school requirements
Abbott allocated $330 million in HB 3 to create school safety centers. The text establishes that public schools must have at least one member of armed personnel, such as a security officer.
It also mandates that school employees receive mental health training, to detect and support students facing difficulties or substance use, and that annual audits be conducted.
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