Scenario for Campus Administrators
A high school student (Student A) is suspected of violating a student code of conduct. As an administrator, you feel reasonably sure that, based on indirect or circumstantial evidence, Student A committed the offense. However, no direct evidence—no eyewitnesses or videos—exists to prove this.
You contact the parent, letting them know you are assigning one day of ISS. The parent asks for proof since her son has denied being involved. When you give the circumstantial evidence and the factors that caused you to conclude, the parent states that since there is no solid evidence, she wants to file a grievance or appeal the decision.
What do you do? The Texas Education Code does not explicitly state that a principal can impose a consequence based on a “preponderance of evidence”, however, it is implied. TxSP provides three questions in our updated Due Process protocol that help administrators determine whether they want to proceed with a consequence if the evidence is unclear.
Misbehavior doesn’t just occur within a school building, but can also occur on buses to and from school. Bus drivers and aides should be trained annually in how to manage a safe bus environment. Be prepared for the 2025-26 school year! TxSP has just posted a new training that provides legal information on the Safe Schools Act and training requirements. The presentation guides drivers through a comprehensive and holistic approach in preventing and managing student behavior, including:
- Two different types of misbehavior
- Causes of misbehavior
- Research-based prevention strategies that support classroom management have been modified for the bus.
- Types of actions the bus driver can take with the student to distract or stop the misbehavior.
- Emergency procedures when a student’s behavior is hurting or could hurt another student.
- How a student can be referred to the campus principal for possible consequences
Accompanying documents include:
- In Campus Operational – A protocol, a bus student contract, and a parent letter are included for the campus administrator to understand their role and the steps to be taken once a bus referral has been submitted.
- In District Operational – Information for the transportation department includes bus safety, student management, funding, home drop-offs, reporting bus collisions, and special populations.
Ensure that TxSP is included in your 2025-26 budget. There is a proposed increase in the basic allotment for 2025-26 of almost $400 per student. Keep $2 per student to pay for TxSP.
Districts whose budgets begin in July will receive an invoice on July 1st and payment is due in 30 days.
Districts whose budgets begin in September will receive an invoice on September 1st and payment is due in 30 days.
The TxSP team has our legislative retreat the firs of June where our writers will begin the work on updating prioritized bills that schools will need to start the school year. The district will be provided with an overview to open the school year.
ALL DISTRICT SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE AUTOMATICALLY RENEWED BASED ON THE LICENSE AGREEMENTS.
