YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key laws affecting teachers Following are some of the key statutes on teacher rights, working conditions and related topics. These laws apply to school districts and campuses that operate under the Texas Education Code and are not necessarily applicable to the following: charter schools; programs, campuses or districts that have waivers from the commissioner of education; Districts of Innovation; or alternative education programs.
Professional development
Your time
In designing staff development, a school district must use procedures that, to the greatest extent possible, ensure the training included in the staff development incorporates proactive instructional planning techniques using a flexible framework that:
School start date and last day of school
The first instructional day must be no earlier than the fourth Monday in August; districts may not receive a waiver from this requirement. (Note: Around three-quarters of Texas districts have exempted themselves from this law through the District of Innovation process.)
A Texas public school district has the discretion to determine the number of days of the teacher contract year to devote to staff development and teacher preparation days. Staff development must be predominantly campus based and must be developed and approved by the campus site-based decision-making committee.
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reduces barriers in instruction;
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provides appropriate accommodations, supports, and challenges;
Legislation that took effect in 2015 adds a requirement that a school district may not schedule the last day of school for students before May 15. Each district must operate so that it provides 75,600 minutes of instruction, including intermissions and recesses for students.
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maintains high achievement expectations for all students, including students with disabilities and students of limited English proficiency; and
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integrates inclusive and evidence-based instructional practices for all students, including students with disabilities.
Length of instructional day
The staff development provided by a school district may include training in:
The instructional day must be at least 420 minutes, including intermissions and recesses. State law does not address the length of a teacher’s workday.
Required days of teacher service
The 10-month teacher contract year requires a minimum of 187 days of service. Recent TCTA-initiated legislation allows school districts anticipating providing fewer than 180 instructional days during a school year to also reduce the number of required teacher days of service proportionately without a reduction in an educator’s salary.
(A) technology and digital learning; and (B) positive behavior intervention and support strategies, including classroom management, district discipline policies, and the student code of conduct adopted under Chapter 37. The district also may use staff development that is designed and approved by the district-level site-based decision-making committee. The district must provide scientifically based staff development relating to the instruction of students with Continued
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