As a superintendent, o
ne of my favorite things to do is visit our campuses to see our educators and students in action. Let me tell you, we have some AMAZING kiddos, I am so proud of them! In recent years, however, have noticed a concerning increase in extreme disciplinary behaviors that are occupying an increasing amount of instructional time. When educators began reporting injuries from these encounters, I felt compelled to do something to protect our educators and the other children in the classroom.
To address this, I had the honor of establishing and chairing the Student Behavior Management Coalition, a group of more than 50 school districts dedicated to protecting our teachers and students. Our collective voice led to the passage of House Bill 6 (HB 6) during the 89th Texas Legislature, which took effect this school year.
WHY HOUSE BILL 6 WAS NECESSARY
For 30 years, Texas school districts operated under a discipline law that had grown from seven pages of practical guardrails into a 140-page maze of bureaucracy. This often limited a school's ability to address serious disciplinary issues with students and their parents.
HB 6 restores a balance of accountability among parents, children, and schools. We are committed to supporting every child while protecting the learning environment for all children.
WHAT PARENTS AND EDUCATORS NEED TO KNOW
HB 6 provides several critical tools to ensure our classrooms remain focused on instruction:
To maintain a sense of safety and continuity, it is the individual student who is supported elsewhere, allowing the rest of the class to stay securely in their familiar environment.
Students who assault or harass a school employee face mandatory placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP).
When a student must be removed from campus for safety reasons, districts can provide a virtual option, so the student continues their education while campuses remain safe.
Previously, teachers faced heavy documentation requirements and often had to prove a behavior was "repeated" before removing a student. Now, a teacher can immediately remove a student for a single, significant incident of unruly or abusive conduct that interferes with instruction.
To ensure a resolution, a student cannot simply be sent back to class without a formal conference to develop a "return-to-class plan" or written consent from the teacher.
Possession of an e-cigarette is now a discretionary DAEP removal. If a first-time offender is not sent to DAEP, they must serve at least 10 school days in In-School Suspension (ISS) without exception.
Before the passage of HB6, out-of-school suspensions were prohibited for students in grades K–2 regardless of the infraction; however, this is no longer the case.
COMBINING ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT
We believe that discipline must be rehabilitative, not just punitive. HB 6 formally integrates programs like TCHAT (Texas Child Health Access through Telemedicine). With parental consent, schools can connect students directly with mental health professionals to address the root causes of their behavior, recognizing that actions often reflect deeper needs of the heart and mind rather than just outward choices. Discipline is not about 'kicking kids out.' It is about setting boundaries that allow every child to feel safe, valued, and capable of success.
WHAT’S NEXT
While we appreciate the significant s
upport shown by the 89th Legislature, two critical elements for proactively addressing student behavior remain unresolved. First, for the small percentage of students requiring intensive intervention beyond the scope of a standard campus, we urge legislators to provide full funding for comprehensive therapeutic care. Furthermore, with over half of Texas’s new educators entering the field via alternative certification, often without formal classroom management training, it is imperative that we mandate and fund professional development in this area to ensure teacher retention and classroom safety.
SETTING THE TEXAS STANDARD
We believe that Conroe ISD graduates should be equipped with a higher standard of respect and responsibility that will set them apart. Building kids with strong character is our mission, and setting the standard for high expectations will set the Texas Standard for others to follow!