Texas Teacher Law

Internet Teaching Resources

The Texas Computer Education Association is having it's convention right now in Austin. They are hosting a blog that reviews many (all?) of the presentations, complete with lots of links to resources for classroom teachers like organizational tools, project tools for kids, communication tools, and lots of other wonderful stuff.    Check it out.  http://magnoliaisdcommunities.org/communities/tcea/default.aspx

Last Minute Contract Non-Renewal

You may be in danger of non-renewal if:

• Your PDAS was just scheduled even though no one else's is scheduled
• You have a flurry of recent write-ups from your campus administrator

Although there are many things that provide warning of impending non-renewal, a frequent occurrence at this time of year is a frantic attempt by campus administrators to create sufficient documentation to suuport a non-renewal of teachers that they wish to get rid of. 

School districts generally require legal review, or at least review by the Human Resources department, of the file of any teacher that a principal would like to propose for non-renewal.  If there is not sufficient documentation of deficiencies, the principal will be told no - at which point many principals suddenly become very diligent in documenting every single little thing they can find, in an attempt to get their non-renewal recommendation to meet legal and district criteria. 

So if you know your principal has been a bit unhappy with you, and you suddenly find yourself bombarded with paper, prepare yourself for the possibility of non-renewal.  This is the time to respond to each and every memo, to improve every single deficiency you are told of, and to have a frank conversation with your principal about your status and how you can improve it.

Special Education Students

If school law is my original series, then I have a spin-off called disability law.  I work with families who have special needs members to do legal planning for the future.  If you have children with special needs, or if you have friends or family members, you may be interested in listening to this short, free, explanation of legal planning for special needs children.  Introduction to Legal Planning for Children with Disabilities.

Student Removal Form

As a teacher, you are responsible for the classroom behavior of your students.  But you do not have to do this alone.  The Texas Education Code gives you the right to remove a student to the principal when you need support to maintain classroom order.

The form below tracks the language in the Texas Education Code, and will trigger specific actions by the administration.  If you check the box that you refuse to have the student returned to your class, the campus placement review committee may be convened.  

 Memo

TO:  Your Principal, Principal

FROM:  Your Name, (state your grade level or subject assignment)

RE:  Removal of Student, (insert student's name)

Date: 

1. I am removing the student named above from my classroom for the following reason(s):

   _____The student has repeatedly interfered with my ability to communicate effectively with the students in my class or with the ability of the student’s classmates to learn.

   OR

   _____The student is so unruly, disruptive or abusive that it seriously interferes with my ability to communicate effectively with the students in the class or with the ability of the student’s classmates to learn.

   OR

   _____The student has engaged in activities that require removal to an alternative education program or expulsion, as stated in the district student code of conduct.
    

2. Documentation to support the statement above:

   _____ is attached.
   _____ has previously been provided to your office.
    

3. I _____ do/ _____ do not consent to have the student returned to my class after appropriate discipline management techniques, consistent with the student code of conduct, have been employed.
    
4. The action above is taken in accordance with Texas Education Code section 37.002.

Autism Info for Teachers

Autism Speaks has recently put together a toolkit for schools to help staff learn about autism and how to deal with students who have autism.  This is not a curriculum, it is general information for those who have had little or no exposure to autism. 

http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/family_services/school_kit.php