AUSTIN, Texas – Speaker of the Texas House Dustin Burrows today released the following statement after the Texas House passed House Bill 6, the Teachers’ Bill of Rights:
“Supporting Texas educators is a top priority for the House this session, and today’s passage of the Teachers’ Bill of Rights helps reestablish respect for this profession. Teachers from around the state have pointed to the ability to enforce discipline in the classroom as a being as important as compensation when it comes to recruiting and retaining quality educators. We have seen increasingly disruptive behavior in classrooms across the nation, but here in Texas, lawmakers are empowering teachers to defend their learning environments for our students to succeed. I thank Chairman Leach for working on this important bill that supports teachers and look forward to sending it to Governor Abbott’s desk for signature so that Texas teachers can continue to provide our students with the best education possible.”
House Bill 6 by Representative Jeff Leach, the Teachers’ Bill of Rights, supports Texas teachers by reinforcing their authority to manage disruptive student behavior and restore order to the classroom by updating rules for suspensions, removals, and expulsions. HB 6 creates clearer pathways for in-school suspensions, expands virtual alternative education for expelled students while counting attendance for funding, and empowers school districts to seek court-ordered placements for students who pose a safety threat.
